What to Do When You Don't Have One Perfect Pet Photo

It's one of the most common concerns we hear from customers: "I want a portrait, but I don't have a great photo." Perhaps your pet never sits still, or the best photos are old and slightly blurry, or you simply never thought to take a proper portrait-quality image. Don't worry — here's what you can do.

First: Check What You Already Have

Before you despair, go through all your photos carefully — including old ones, screenshots from videos, and images sent by friends or family. You may have more to work with than you think. Look for images where:

• The face is clearly visible and roughly in focus
• The lighting is reasonable (not too dark or too shadowy)
• The expression feels like your pet

A photo doesn't need to be perfect to work as a portrait reference — it just needs to be good enough for your artist to work from.

Try Taking a New Photo

If you have time before ordering, it's worth trying to take a better photo. A few tips:

• Photograph near a window in natural daylight — soft, even light makes a huge difference.
• Get down to your pet's eye level.
• Use a treat or toy to get their attention and encourage an alert expression.
• Take lots of shots — the more you take, the better your chances of a great one.
• Use portrait mode on your phone to blur the background and bring your pet into focus.

Use Multiple Photos

If no single photo is ideal, you can send several and ask your artist to work from the best elements of each. Perhaps one photo has the right expression but poor lighting, while another is well-lit but shows the wrong angle. A skilled artist can combine these references to create a portrait that captures your pet accurately.

For Pets Who Have Passed Away

If you're commissioning a memorial portrait and only have older or lower-quality photos, please don't let that stop you. Share what you have — even imperfect photos can be enough to create something beautiful and meaningful. We'll always be honest with you about what's possible before you order.

Ask Us First

If you're genuinely unsure whether your photos are good enough, get in touch before placing your order. Send us the images you have and we'll give you an honest assessment. We'd rather help you find the best path forward than have you order and be disappointed.

Ready to Try?

Visit our Custom Pet Digital Portrait page to get started. Whatever photos you have, we'll do our very best to create something you'll love.