How It Works

To create a truly personalized custom pet portrait or digital painting, I’ll need clear reference photos that capture your pet’s unique personality and distinctive features. No professional camera is required; cell phone photos and even older snapshots work beautifully. Following a few simple guidelines will help ensure your finished artwork is both accurate and meaningful, and a true reflection of your pet.

Good reference photos make all the difference. These tips will help you select images that translate beautifully into artwork.

• 5–10 clear, in-focus photos (more are welcome if you have them)
   
• Multiple angles, including left and right side views
   
• At least one front-facing image that clearly shows the eyes and facial markings
   
• Photos where your pet fills about 50–70% of the frame
   

If you’re unsure whether your photos will work, feel free to send them anyway. I’m happy to review them and let you know.

• Natural light works best (outdoors or near a window)
   
• Capture your pet relaxed and alert, showing their natural expression
   
• Backgrounds don’t matter;  they can be changed or removed in the final artwork
   
• Fur texture, markings, and eye color are more important than pose perfection
   

• Blurry, heavily filtered, or low-resolution images
   
• Photos taken in very dark or harsh lighting
   
• Distant shots where details are difficult to see
   
• Professionally taken photos, as I’m unable to use them due to copyright restrictions