Image Quality

The quality of the photos you send me have a huge impact on the final result of your pet portrait. As well as being in focus, it’s important that your pet is featured large within the image. Ideally the pet is looking at the camera so I can clearly see important features like the eyes, nose and whiskers.

You are more than welcome to send multiple images that may help me to obtain accurate colouring or other important details.


Clear Photo

I really can’t stress enough how important it is to have a clear photograph of your pet for me to work from. It is vital, as I have never met your pet and I really need to be able to see the eyes clearly and get the feel for the character of your pet. The eyes are the window to the soul. For local clients I can come and meet you and your pet and take photos for you. However many of my clients are from far and wide, all around the world and therefore your photos are the only way I can meet them! Below is a guide for taking photos of your dog, cat, horse or any other animal you would like a portrait painted of.

I need a photograph that is clear, up close (fill the view finder with your pet, not your house or garden!) and is of a pose that is typical of your pet. To achieve this the following guide helps you get the photo you want.

Image Lighting

The best possible lighting is achieved outside or by a window in a bright room like a conservatory. A bright overcast day is best. No sunshine. Sunshine will make your pet squint and not show the true colours. When outside, stand with your back to where the sun would be behind the cloud and have your pet facing you. This gives the maximum natural light to your pet. See below a photo taken with the light that is behind a cloud and is behind me. This is particularly important for pets that are black or white. If the lighting is too strong the camera can’t cope with these colours and there will be areas on the face that are black with no detail. The same with white pets, they will show bleached out.