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WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTO?

A good reference photo can make the difference between a "good" piece and an amazing piece.

I want you to have the best portrait of your sweet pet that you possibly can! Here are some tips to help you see what I look for when finding a good reference photo.

If you're unsure about your photos, send what you have! I'm happy to take a look and personally work with you to find the best photo for your piece. You can submit up to 6 photos in the form at the bottom of the page.

WHAT TO AVOID
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Dull Lighting

Inadequate lighting can obscure details, like this pup's beautiful eyes!

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Too Far

Photos taken from too far can make it hard to capture expressions and personality!

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High Angles

Photos from above can make bodies and heads look out of proportion.

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Too Blurry

Fuzzy photos make it difficult to capture details in the fur and eyes - details that make your pet, yours!

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Harsh Shadows

Intense shadows hide the face - which is what we want to see!

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Indoor Lighting

Indoor lighting tends to lean yellow, which can distort your pet's natural coloring.

Special thanks to Hermes Jones for being my model!

@hermes_the_dog on Instagram

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
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Count the Hairs

Can you see individual hairs of your pet's coat? That's a good sign your photo is high enough quality to be used as a reference!

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Head and Shoulders

The best portraits are of your pet's head and shoulders only - full body photos make your pet's head appear smaller on the paper.

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Natural Lighting

White, natural lighting from a large window or outdoors on an overcast day tend to look best to bring our your pet's natural beauty!

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Great Photo
=
Great Piece

This photo of Hermes has:​

- natural lighting

- crisp details

- a fully visible face

- an eye-level angle

- a moderate distance from the camera

And made a great reference photo to help me create this piece!

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REQUEST A QUOTE

Please submit at least one photo of your pet(s) that you would like to be included in your work of art!

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Thanks for your interest! I'll get back to you soon!

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