It is essential for me to have good photos to work from. The picture should be clear, the animal should fill the view finder, and the pose should capture the essence of your pets personality. The eyes of the animal are often the most important area as this gives the portrait life. The more detail that can be seen in the image the better the portrait will be. Often the portrait will look better if the pet does not have tongue or teeth showing. As well as sending the main photo with your pet in the pose you’d like drawn, you should also include a few other photos for reference.

If possible take photos outside in natural light on a bright, overcast day. Take the photo with the light source behind you and not behind the animal you are trying to image. Avoid bright sunlight as this will cause dark shadows and affect the colouring of your pet. If you must take the photos indoors, then use a light room, near the window with your back to the window. Do not use a flash.

Positioning

Take the photo from the same level as your animal, lay down if necessary. A three quarter shot is often more interesting that a face-on or side-on shot. It often helps to have a friend to stand behind your left or right shoulder (at the same level as you) with a toy to squeak when you are ready to take the shot. That way your pet will look alert.