Photo Tips

• Get as close as possible, filling the view finder with your pet, not background. Try to have the camera at eye-level with your pet. Photos taken from above make your pet’s head look abnormally large. A close-up of your pet’s eyes is needed. After all, eyes are the windows to the soul!

• Outdoor natural light is best, either early morning or late afternoon. Overcast, but bright days work best. Always have the light source behind you. If it is a sunny day, try to take the photo in the shade, again, with the light behind you. If you need to shoot indoors, try for a light room near a window. Your back should be to the window, with the pet facing you. Avoid using the flash.

• Try to capture your pet in a typical pose. Photograph your pet without their collar. Unless you specify that you want the collar included in the portrait, I will paint the pet without, as I like a more natural view.

• Try having an assistant with you who can call your pet’s name and use their favorite squeak toy (or knock on a wall next to you) to get an alert and interested expression from your pet. The best view of your pet is three-quarters, not a complete side view.

• For a portrait of two or more animals, I can work from individual photos of each animal. The best composition is when each animal is looking inward towards each other, or one straight on and one with a ¾ view. Please give an indication of the size of each dog/cat in relation to the other and take photos from the same vantage point/angle. Send as many photos as you like, using various angles and poses, and indicate your favorite that you’d like me to paint. I will return all photos to you with your finished portrait.