Photographing for Pet Portraits

 need high resolution photographs which show the unique details of your pet such as the fur, eyes, markings etc. I normally like 3 or 4 images to work from pointing out which one shows the most likeness to the colour and character. If you wish to email me photographs for your pet portrait and you are not experienced in photographing pets here are a few tips previous clients have found useful.

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• Photographs taken outside or by a large window are the best to avoid unnatural lighting and colouring of your pet.

• Try to avoid a really sunny day as the sun will create big shadows on your pet. This in turn can make certain details hard to see. The best sort of day for taking photographs is an overcast, but bright day. People often make the mistake of thinking a sunny day is the best. As mentioned it can cause awkward shadows and cause your pet to squint if looking into the sun.

• It always recommended to take photos with the sun behind you this will avoid the sun casting dark shadows across your pet and making certain details difficult to see.
  Take the photographs for your pet portraits at their level. This will avoid distortion and unnatural pose. For a head and shoulder portrait I often recommend the subject having a 3/4 pose rather than completely face or side on. However if you want a slightly quirky pose that is fine too. This is just what I think makes the best pet portraits. Of course it depends on what you are looking for.

• Try to get as close to your pet as possible and fill the cameras view finder. This will ensure you get more of the subject in than the background. Backgrounds can be added, but your pet is the focus so that is the most important part. I can super impose subjects on backgrounds. Try and make sure you keep in focus as this will give the maximum amount of detail and make painting the portrait easier as I can pick out the individual markings and details that make up your pets character.

• What camera? Phone cameras are so good now it is totally possible to produce a portrait taken from a phone photo. The same principles apply to any other camera you would use and make sure it is full resolution please. Remember it is worth taking as many photos as possible.

• Often people struggle because their subject won’t sit still. If possible take a friend with you so they can tempt them with a treat or similar while you take the photo. They beauty of this digital age we can take as many photos as we need without wasting film, so it really is worth keeping at it so you get the best photo possible for your pet portrait. For dogs, imitating a bark seems to work a treat. Even if you do feel a bit daft! Make it fun photographing your pet, as much as you can. For both of you! a tennis ball or favourite toy is often a winner for photoshoots. Just keep going and don’t give up. You will get that perfect photo.

 

Here is a good reference photo, this is of Maggie, a friends dog I painted and photographed, who has now sadly passed. This photo was commissioned by a professional so I don't expect every photo to be at this standard!  However it may give you something to aim for! 

 

If you are unsure it is best to provide a selection for me to work from. I can (and have) used some less-than-perfect photos to paint portraits and it is possible, so don't be put off.  

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