Reference Photo Guidelines

The most important part of your order is the quality of the photo you provide. Here are some tips to help you choose a great photo for your pet portrait. You may already have a favorite photo in mind, so don’t feel obligated to have a photoshoot with your pet, but it’s best to evaluate if your desired photo checks these boxes for best results. If you’re unsure on which photo to pick, feel free to send over a bunch and I can help you select the best one. Multiple photos also help me get a feel for your pet’s personality.

Lighting

The best photos are taken in well lit or natural light settings. Ensure the whole face and body is visible and not in shadows. Try to avoid bad lighting. Good lighting is especially important for animals with dark or patterned coats.

Pose

The best photos are taken at your pet’s eye level. Make sure your pet's entire body is in picture (no ears, paws or tails out of frame). It works best if your pet is looking directly at the camera or looking away from the camera. I generally do full body compositions, but if you would prefer a closer crop, I can accommodate that.

Quality

Make sure that your photos are in high resolution and not blurry. Close up photos work best so we can see their unique facial features.

Color

Avoid using excessive filters to assure that your pet’s coloring is not distorted in the photos. 

If you are absolutely set on using a photo that doesn’t follow these guidelines, send it over and we’ll chat about options. I may be able to reference multiple photos to complete the composition, but please understand that I may need to use more artistic license and it won’t be as exact as it would be if all reference photo guidelines were met.

Examples