Choosing the Best Photo for Your Pet Portrait
Professional photography is not required. A clear, well-lit phone photograph can work beautifully. The most important thing is that your pet looks recognizable and their defining features are easy to see.
Start With a Clear, Well-Lit Image
Choose a photograph taken in natural daylight or another evenly lit setting. Make sure your pet’s face, eyes, markings, and coat color are clearly visible.
Whenever possible, use the original full-resolution photograph rather than a screenshot, social media download, or heavily compressed copy.
Keep the Eyes and Face Visible
Select a photograph in which both eyes are visible and in focus. Avoid images where the eyes are hidden by shadows, long fur, glare, accessories, or another object.
A photograph taken near your pet’s eye level usually creates the most natural and engaging portrait.
Choose a Characteristic Expression
The best reference photograph is one that feels unmistakably like your pet. A familiar expression, head tilt, ear position, or relaxed pose can help capture their personality.
Check the Crop
Make sure important features are not cut off. Depending on the portrait you envision, this may include the ears, chest, paws, or tail.
If you would like a full-body portrait, provide a photograph showing the entire body and natural proportions.
Photographs of Multiple Pets
For portraits featuring more than one pet, the animals do not need to appear together in the same photograph. Individual reference photographs may provide better facial detail and more flattering expressions.
When submitting separate photographs, mention the pets’ relative sizes and any preferred arrangement in the Portrait Notes & Creative Direction box.
Photographs to Avoid When Possible
Avoid photographs that are:
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Extremely blurry or pixelated
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Very dark or strongly backlit
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Taken from an unusually high or distorted angle
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Covered by strong filters
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Obscured by hands, leashes, furniture, or other objects
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Missing important identifying markings or facial details
Older or Memorial Photographs
We understand that the most meaningful photograph may not be technically perfect, especially for memorial portraits. Older, scanned, softly focused, or lower-resolution images are welcome.
Choose the clearest photograph available. We will carefully work with the detail it provides while preserving the pet’s recognizable features and character.
Still Unsure?
Choose the photograph that best captures the pet you know and love. Use the Portrait Notes & Creative Direction box to explain any details that may not be obvious, including coat color, markings, eye color, personality, or features you would especially like preserved.