Pet Portraits from Photographs – Photography Tips Guide

Choosing the Right Photo for a Pet Portrait

When you're taking photos of your pet for a portrait, you're rarely going to get just one perfect enough to be 'The Photo'. Invariably, your pet might move slightly, or even shy away when you get your phone out. So, our advice is to take a full range of photos, maybe even on different occasions to keep the photoshoot fresh. Take as many as you can so you have plenty to choose from, as it will make all the difference to the portrait.

If you are commissioning a pet portrait, the photo you provide is the foundation of the entire artwork. A clear, well-lit image allows us to capture your pet's character, detail, and coloring with accuracy. Whether it's a pencil drawing or an oil painting, starting with a high-quality reference photo makes all the difference to the final result.

Step Back and Focus

This is Mike's lovely dog called Kipper. Although the photo was taken indoors, it's crisp, clear, and beautifully in focus. Mike used an iPhone 12 — proof that you don't need the latest smartphone to take a perfect reference photo for a pet portrait. The key? Step back a little from your dog and use your camera's zoom to frame the shot. This avoids distortion and helps keep the photo sharp. Most importantly, crouch down to your dog's eye level. That small adjustment makes a huge difference and results in a much more natural and flattering portrait.

Get Down to Their Level

Photographing your dog, cat, or horse from their eye level creates a more natural and flattering image. Photos taken from above — looking down at your pet — often make the head look too large or the body awkwardly short. For portraits, we recommend crouching or sitting at your pet's level so we can see their face in natural proportions. It helps us bring out their personality in the artwork.

Natural Light is Best for Pet Portrait Photos

Here is Kipper posing beautifully in the sunshine! Natural daylight produces the most accurate colors and soft, even lighting — ideal for pet portraits. Take a few photos of your pet from different viewpoints if the sun is casting strong shadows. This means we will have plenty of choice and will be able to see your pet clearly. We recommend taking photos outside or indoors by a large window. Lighting plays a key role in how your pet looks in the final portrait, especially for fur detail and eye clarity.

Photographing Horses: Tack or No Tack?

If you would like tack to appear in your horse portrait, be sure to photograph your horse wearing it. Clean, well-fitted tack works best in the final painting or drawing. If you prefer a natural look, take reference photos without any tack at all. It's difficult to "remove" tack artistically from a photo, especially around complex areas like the face and cheek. If you are unsure, send both versions and we'll advise on the best approach.

Capture Personality, Not Just Pose

The best pet portraits come from photos that show your dog or cat's real personality. A relaxed expression, a curious head tilt, or their usual "look" tells us so much more than a stiff, posed photo. Let your pet be themselves — no need to force a sit-stay unless they enjoy it! The more natural they look, the more character we can bring out in your portrait.

Full Body or Head and Shoulders?

Deciding on the composition of your pet portrait helps us know how to guide your photos. If you'd like a full-body portrait, make sure the entire body is in the frame — including feet and tail. For a head and chest portrait, a close-up of the face works best. Ideally, avoid cropping ears or cutting off important features. Always send the original uncropped photo so we have options to work with.

Focus on the Eyes

Eyes are the most expressive part of any animal, and they're vital to a successful pet portrait. When taking your photo, make sure the eyes are in sharp focus. Many phones will let you tap on the eyes on the screen to focus properly. Blurry eyes or soft focus around the face can make it difficult for us to achieve a true likeness in your drawing or painting.

Multiple Pets in One Portrait?

It can be tricky to get multiple pets in one perfect photo — especially if they're not exactly best friends! We often create combined portraits using separate photos of each pet. This allows us to pose them naturally, adjust lighting, and balance the composition beautifully. If you would like a multi-pet portrait, try to take clear, individual shots of each animal facing the same direction and in similar lighting.

Send Original Full Size Images

For best results, please send us the original, full-size version of your pet photo — ideally straight from your camera or phone. Avoid screenshots, cropped images, or photos saved from social media, as they often lose quality. You can email large files direct, or use services like WeTransfer or Dropbox if needed. The more detail we can see, the more accurate and lifelike your portrait will be. If you are unsure - ask! We are always happy to help!