Choosing the right photo for your pet's portrait
If you want your portrait to really feel like your pet, the photo you choose makes such a big difference.
When I create a portrait, I’m looking for more than fur color or markings. I’m paying attention to expression, personality, and the little details that make your pet recognizable to you. That’s what helps me turn a photo into something meaningful and beautiful.
You definitely do not need a professional photo. All you need is decent lighting, and… maybe a few treats to bribe with.
If you can, I always love having 3–5 photos to look through so I can see their features clearly and get a better sense of their personality.
Natural light is best
If you’re not sure where to start, lighting is usually the first thing I would think about.
Natural light almost always gives me the best reference to work from because it helps me see true color, texture, and all the little details that make realistic pet portraits feel so lifelike.
A few easy things I recommend:
- Take photos outside in the shade or on a bright overcast day
- If you’re indoors, bring your pet close to a big window
- Turn off the flash
- Try to avoid harsh backlighting or really yellow indoor lighting
It does not have to be crazy at all. Simple outdoor lighting is usually perfect.
Get down to their eye level
This is one of those small changes that makes a huge difference.
If you can, try taking the photo at your pet’s eye level instead of from above. I know it sounds simple, but crouching down or sitting on the floor usually gives the portrait a much more natural and connected feel.
It helps me create a piece that feels personal instead of stiff or distant.
A few things I usually suggest:
- For headshots, include the head, neck, and upper chest
- For full-body photos, make sure paws and tail are in the frame
- If possible, skip zooming in, I can always crop the image later
That perspective tends to work especially well for hand drawn pet portraits because it feels more intimate and true to how you actually see them.
Make sure the photo is clear
Clarity matters a lot, especially around the eyes.
The eyes are such a big part of what brings a portrait to life, so when I can see them clearly, it helps me capture the feeling of your pet so much better. Clear detail in the nose, fur, and coloring helps too.
Before you send photos over, I would do a quick check:
- Are the eyes in focus?
- Can you see some fur detail?
- Do the colors look true to life?
- Is it the original image instead of a screenshot?
If a photo is very blurry, dark, or tiny, it can make it harder for me to create the detailed hand drawn pet portraits I want every client to receive.
Choose a photo that feels like them
The best photo is usually the one that feels the most like them.
That may mean a really alert expression. A calm look. Maybe it’s the funny head tilt or the proud way they sit. I always want the final portrait to feel familiar in that deep, emotional way where you look at it and immediately think, yes, that’s them.
If you’re taking new photos, here are a few things that can help:
- Hold a favorite toy or treat near the camera
- Make a little sound to get their attention
- Take several photos in a row so you can catch a natural moment
If your pet has passed away
Memorial portraits are especially close to my heart.
If your pet has passed away, please do not worry if the photo is not perfect. Just send me the clearest and largest image you have, and I can usually tell you what will work. If you also have extra photos that show markings, coloring, or details from other angles, those help a lot.
And if all you have is a printed photo, scanning the image is always better than snapping a picture of the photo.
A quick photo checklist
Before you upload, here’s what I would check:
- The lighting is natural
- The photo is taken at eye level
- The eyes are clear and in focus
- The image is an original file, not a screenshot
Flower Print Club
And if you love my work but you are not quite ready to commission a custom portrait, I also have the Flower Print Club.
It’s one of my favorite things I offer. I send hand-drawn flower prints through the mail each month, and it’s such a lovely way to collect artwork over time or treat yourself to something special in your mailbox.
Ready to send your photos?
If you’re ready, you can head to Custom Artwork, choose your portrait, and upload your favorite images.
And if you are not totally sure which photos are best, that’s okay. Just send me what you have, and I’ll take a look.
You can also check current commission availability and view more realistic pet portraits.
If you need anything, you can always reach out through my Contact Page.