Your Photo is the Foundation of Your Portrait
At Bark & Brush, our talented artists work from the photo you provide to create your custom pet portrait. The better the photo, the more detailed and lifelike your portrait will be. The good news? You don't need a professional camera, a modern smartphone is more than capable of capturing a great reference photo. You just need to know what to look for.
Here's our complete guide to getting the perfect photo for your custom pet portrait.
1. Use Natural Light
Natural light is your best friend when photographing pets. Head outside or sit near a large window during the day. Natural light brings out the true colours of your pet's coat and eyes, and avoids the harsh shadows and red-eye that indoor artificial lighting can cause.
Avoid: Flash photography, which can wash out colours and create unnatural reflections in your pet's eyes.
Best time: Mid-morning or late afternoon on a bright (but not harsh midday sun) day.
2. Get Down to Their Level
The most flattering and natural-looking portraits come from photos taken at your pet's eye level. Get down on the floor, crouch, or kneel to capture them from their perspective. Photos taken from above can distort proportions and make your pet look smaller than they are.
3. Focus on the Eyes
The eyes are the soul of any portrait. Make sure your pet's eyes are sharp, clear, and in focus. This is the single most important element of a great reference photo. If the eyes are blurry, even the most talented artist will struggle to capture your pet's true expression.
Tip: On most smartphones, tap on your pet's eyes on the screen to set the focus point there before taking the shot.
4. Capture Their Personality
Think about what makes your pet uniquely them. Is it the way they tilt their head? Their goofy grin? Their regal, dignified stare? Try to capture a moment that reflects their true personality. Candid shots often work better than posed ones — try photographing them during play, at rest, or in their favourite spot.
5. Keep the Background Simple
A cluttered background can make it harder for our artists to isolate your pet. A plain wall, a patch of grass, or a simple outdoor setting works best. Don't worry too much about this, our artists can work around busy backgrounds, but a clean backdrop does make the process smoother.
6. Make Sure the Photo is High Resolution
Higher resolution means more detail for our artists to work from. When sending your photo, use the original file from your phone rather than a screenshot or a heavily compressed image. If you're sending via email or our website, avoid resizing the image before sending.
Minimum recommended resolution: 1000 x 1000 pixels. The larger, the better.
7. Avoid Motion Blur
Pets move fast! Motion blur is one of the most common issues we see with reference photos. To avoid it:
- Use your phone's burst mode (hold down the shutter button) to take multiple shots in quick succession and choose the sharpest one.
- Photograph your pet when they're calm — after a walk or during a nap is ideal.
- Use a treat or toy to get their attention and keep them still for a moment.
8. Multiple Angles are Welcome
If you're not sure which photo is best, send us a few! We're happy to review multiple options and advise on which will work best for your chosen style and size. You can also send photos from different angles if you'd like us to incorporate specific features — like a distinctive marking or a favourite expression.
What If My Photos Aren't Perfect?
Don't stress! Our artists are experienced at working with a range of photo qualities. Once you place your order, our team will review your photo and reach out if we have any concerns or need additional images. We want your portrait to be perfect just as much as you do.
Ready to Get Started?
Now that you know how to take the perfect reference photo, it's time to place your order. Browse the Bark & Brush range, choose your style and size, and upload your photo. Our artists will take it from there, and we can't wait to show you the result.