reference photo guide

Taking a great reference photo of your pet can be tricky (especially for the cat people out there!) But a great photo can help me make a truly great portrait of your pet. Since I don’t get to meet your pets in person before I paint them, I do like to see a variety of photos to get a good idea of their personality and temperament, but having a couple of really high-quality photos to choose from as the primary reference photo is ideal.

Here are some things to consider when you’re taking photos of your pet:

1) Lighting. Soft, even natural light (think of a cloudy day, or evening light, or a nice shady spot under a tree) is going to give me the most accurate idea of the pet’s fur color and/or pattern. Too much light can lead to a lot of harsh shadows and highlights that obscure detail. If you can’t take photos outside, indoors by a window works just fine, too.

2) Image clarity. It’s best to send high-res photos in their original format, so they’re large enough to allow me to see all the details you’d like to see in the portrait.

3) Angle. Taking the photo close-up, from the pet’s eye-level is always the best angle for a portrait. This allows me to see the entirety of the neck and chest, with all the features looking proportional and even.

**tips** try having someone hold a treat or a toy just out of frame to get your pet’s attention. If using a smartphone camera, make sure the lens is in-focus by tapping on the screen where your pet’s face is shown.

If you are ordering the portrait as a surprise present for someone, and your access to photos is limited, just choose the clearest ones to send to me. I will always do my very best with what’s available!