The best photo for a custom pet portrait is clear, naturally lit, taken near your pet’s eye level, and true to their personality. Their eyes, face shape, coast texture, and important markings should be easy to see. A good smartphone photo is usually all you need.

Your photo dose not have to be professionally taken. What matters most is that it clearly shows the details and expression that make your pet unmistakably yours.

 Here is what to look for before uploading your photo.

 1.Choose a Photo That Feels Like Them

Start with the image that best captures your pet’s personality.

It might be their familiar head tilt, gentle gaze, happy expression, or the way one ear always sits slightly higher than the other.

Ask yourself:

      What someone who loves my pet recognize them immediately in this photo?

      If the answer is yes, you have a strong starting point. 

2.Use Soft, Natural Light

Natural daylight helps our artists see your pet’s true coat color, eye color, markings, and fur texture.

Good options include:

•  Near a bright window

•  Outdoors in open shade

•  Morning or late-afternoon light

•  A bright room without harsh shadows

Avoid strong flash, dark rooms, and direct midday sunlight. These can hide facial details, create red eyes, or make light-colored fur appear overexposed.

3.Keep the Eyes and Face in Focus

The eyes are often the emotional center of a pet portrait.

Zoom in on your photograph and check that you can clearly see:

•  The eyes and their natural color

•  The shape of the nose and mouth

•  The ears

•  Important facial markings

•  The direction and texture of the fur

A softly blurred background is fine. Motion blur around the eyes or face is much harder to work with.

4.Photograph Your Pet Near Eye Level

Photos taken close to your pet’s eye level usually create the most natural proportions.

A photograph taken from far above can make the head look unusually large and the body appear smaller. Instead, try sitting or kneeling so the camera is level with your pet’s face.

 Your pet dose not need to look directly at the camera. A relaxed side glance can work beautifully if it reflects their natural character.

5.Match the Photo to Your Portrait Style

Consider with much of your pet you want the finished portrait to show.

Head Portrait

Choose a close image with the face, ears,neck, and upper chest clearly visible.

Half-Body Portrait

The photograph should show the head, chest, posture, and front legs without major areas being hidden.

Full-Body Portrait

Make sure the paws, body shape, and tail are visible. This is especially important if your pet has distinctive body markings or proportions.

If an important part of the body is cropped out, supporting photos may help, but they cannot always replace details that were never visible.

6.What Should You Avoid?

The background dose not have to be perfect. Depending on the portrait style, many background distractions can be simplified or removed.

7.Can Multiple Pets Be Combined From Different Photos?

Yes, Multiple Pets do not always need to appear together in the same photograph.

For a natural composition, choose separate photos with:

• Similar camera angles

• Similar lighting

• Comparable image quality

• Clearly visible facial features 

It is also helpful to tell us which pet is taller or larger in real life so their proportions can be represented accurately.

8.What If My Pet Has Passed Away?

We understand that you may not have a recent high-resolution photograph.

Choose the clearest image that feels most meaningful to you. If available, include a few supporting photos showing details such as eyes color, coat markings, ear shape, or body proportions.

Older photographs and scanned prints may still be suitable. If you are unsure, send us the best version you have and our team can review it. 

The most meaningful photograph is not always technically perfect. Sometimes it is simply the one that holds the most love.

9.One Main Photo Is Usually Best

 We recommend submitting:

• One main photo for the pose and expression

• Two to four supporting photos for markings, coat texture, eye color, or body proportions

Let us know which image should guide the final portrait. A small, focused group of photographs is usually more useful than many similar images.

 Quick Photo Checklist

 Before uploading your image, check that:

• The eyes and face are in focus

• The lighting shows the natural coat color

• Important markings are visible

• The expression feels true to your pet.

• The ears are not accidentally cropped

• The required part of the body is visible

• The image has not been heavily filtered

• You are uploading the clearest available file

10.Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a professional photograph?

         No. A clear smartphone photo taken in natural light is usually enough.

• Can I use a screenshot?

           You can, but the original file is better because screenshots often contain less detail.

• Can you remove a leash or background object?

         Small distractions can often be simplified or removed, provided they do not cover                     important parts of your pet.

• Can separate photos be used for multiple pets?

         Yes. Choose images with similar angles and lighting, and tell us the pets’ relative sizes.

• What if I am unsure whether my photo will work?

        Send us the photograph before your artwork begins. Our team can help you identify the            strongest reference image.

Ready to Create Their Portrait?

A clear photograph gives our artists the details they need. Your pet’s expression and personality are what make the finished artwork truly personal.

START YOUR PORTRAIT TODAY!