Reference Photo

Since animals make lousy live models (they don’t sit still long enough) animal portrait artists almost always rely on a good reference photo to work from. This is essential because it provides the necessary accuracy and precision to portray your pet as YOUR pet and not something that vaguely resembles it due to guesswork on my part.

The main characteristics of unhelpful photos are dark ones with no contrast and definition, blurry or distant photos that give out too little information, and photos that may not be special enough to you to immortalize your pet forever.

Here are three tips to help you choose a photo from your album or decide to take one for this commission:

1. Good lighting: the best lighting is away from direct sunlight (creates harsh distorting shadows) Indirect light is fine. From a window or other diffuse source. Photos taken in the shade that is still light enough for detail and focus, or at dawn or dusk when the sun softens and gives everything a warm glow.

2. A photo at your dog’s level, better still at eye level, because the eyes are the most important and expressive element in a portrait.

3. A photo that is close up and intimate

Please make sure that if you send me a photo that was professionally taken that you have the photographer’s approval and permission for me to use as a reference for my portrait.

Examples of ideal reference photos: