Photo Tips & Reference Guide
Choosing the Right Reference Photos
The better the reference photo, the more information I have to work from when creating your portrait. A good reference photo helps me see the details that make your animal unique—including their expression, features, coloring, and texture. You don't need to be a professional photographer. The most important thing is providing clear images that give me a good sense of your animal.If you’re able to take new photos, the following tips can help.
Lighting
Good lighting allows me to see your animal's true coloring, along with the highlights and shadows that give the portrait depth and dimension.
For the best results:
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Natural light is generally ideal.
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Outdoors on an overcast day can provide soft, even lighting.
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If photographing indoors, try a bright area near a window.
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Avoid very harsh sunlight when possible.
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Make sure dark areas aren't so shadowed that details disappear, and lighter areas aren't so bright that detail is lost.
The goal is a photograph where you can clearly see the animal's features, coloring, and texture.
Angle & Perspective
Whenever possible, photograph your animal at eye level. This gives me a more natural view of their proportions and features.
For smaller animals, crouching or sitting down may help you reach the right height. For larger animals, stepping farther back can help you avoid photographing from too steep an angle.
A photo taken from above may look adorable, but it can distort the animal's proportions and make it more difficult to create an accurate portrait.
Expression & Pose
Look for a moment when your animal is relaxed, comfortable, and naturally engaged.
A quiet location with few distractions can help. If you have a helper, a favorite toy or familiar sound can gently get your animal's attention and encourage an alert, expressive look.
Don't worry about getting one perfect photograph. Take several! Different expressions, poses, and angles can provide valuable information when creating the portrait.
Keep the Background Simple
An uncluttered background makes it easier to see the animal's outline and fine details, especially around the fur.
If you would like a particular setting or background included in your finished portrait, we can discuss that when planning your commission. You can also provide additional reference images for the setting you have in mind.
What If Your Pet Has Passed Away?
You don't need to have photographs taken specifically for a portrait if your animal is no longer with you.
Look through the photographs you already have, and consider asking family members or friends if they have additional images. Even photographs that aren't perfect may contain useful details.
Send me as many photos as you can. Different photographs may show the eyes, markings, coloring, expression, or other features more clearly. When possible, I can use information from several images to help create a portrait that captures a strong likeness.
If you're unsure whether your photographs will provide enough information, send them anyway. We can look at them together and determine what is possible.
Sending Your Photos
Whenever possible, please send the original, highest-quality versions of your photographs.
Some social media and messaging platforms automatically compress images, which can reduce their resolution and remove fine details. Emailing the original photographs is generally the best way to preserve their quality.
If you're unsure how to send your photos without reducing their quality, just ask.
Quick Reference Checklist
When choosing your photos, look for images that:
✓ Are clear and in focus
✓ Show the animal's features and eyes clearly
✓ Have good, natural-looking lighting
✓ Show accurate coloring and visible detail
✓ Are taken close to eye level
✓ Capture an expression or pose that feels like your animal
✓ Are free from heavy filters or excessive editing
When in doubt, send several photos. More reference material gives me more information to work with and helps me understand what makes your animal uniquely them.