How to Take the Best Photo of Your Pet for a Portrait

A custom portrait is only as good as the photo it starts from. The good news: you do not need a fancy camera. The phone in your pocket is more than enough, as long as you get a few simple things right. Here is exactly what helps an artist turn your snapshot into a likeness you will love.

1. Shoot in daylight

Natural light is the single biggest upgrade you can make. Photograph your pet near a window or outside in open shade. Daylight shows their true colors and avoids the harsh shadows and red-eye that flash creates. Aim for soft, even light on the face.

2. Get down to their level

Crouch down so the camera is at your pet's eye height. A photo taken from above reads as a snapshot. A photo taken at eye level reads as a portrait, and that is exactly what we are making.

3. Fill the frame and keep the eyes sharp

Get close. The face is the heart of the portrait, so the closer and sharper it is, the better the result. Tap your pet's eyes on the screen to lock focus there. If the eyes are crisp, everything else follows.

4. Catch their real expression

The best portraits capture personality. Hold a toy or a treat right next to the camera to get ears up and eyes bright. A few seconds of patience for the right look is worth more than a hundred blurry action shots.

5. Send the original, not a screenshot

Resolution matters. Send the original photo straight from your camera roll rather than a screenshot or a heavily compressed copy. More detail gives the artist more to work with and a more accurate likeness.

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Ready to turn that photo into art?

Once you have a shot you love, the rest is easy. Pick a style, choose a size, and upload your photo. You approve a digital proof before anything prints, and the hi-res digital file is always included free.

Start your custom pet portrait, or explore a custom dog portrait, a custom cat portrait, or a gentle pet memorial portrait.