How to Choose the Best Photo for Your Custom Pet Portrait

The quality of your custom pet portrait starts with the photo you provide. To help you get the very best result, here are our top tips for choosing (or taking) the perfect reference photo.

Go for Good Lighting

Natural light is your best friend. Try to photograph your pet near a window or outdoors on an overcast day. Avoid harsh flash photography, which can wash out colours and create unflattering shadows.

Get Down to Their Level

Crouch down and photograph your pet at eye level rather than from above. This gives a more intimate, engaging perspective that translates beautifully into a portrait.

Capture Their Personality

Is your cat always looking regal and aloof? Is your dog perpetually mid-zoomies? Try to capture a moment that reflects who they really are. The best portraits feel alive with personality.

Make Sure the Face Is in Focus

The face — especially the eyes — is the heart of any portrait. Make sure it's sharp and in focus. A slightly blurry body is fine; a blurry face makes it much harder for our artist to capture the details that make your pet unique.

Higher Resolution Is Better

If possible, use a camera or a modern smartphone set to its highest resolution. The more detail in the photo, the more detail we can include in the portrait.

Got a great photo ready? Order your custom portrait and let's get started!