Reference Photos
I work directly from photographs to create detailed, bespoke portraits so having a good reference photo is essential in helping me capture the true likeness and character of your pet or loved one.
While I can sometimes work with less-than-perfect photographs, the best results come from images that are high resolution, in focus, well lit and show the subject clearly in a natural pose.
I completely understand that when creating a memorial portrait for someone or a pet who has passed away, you may not have access to the perfect photograph. Don't worry, I can ofter work with older, lower quality or less than ideal mages, and we can discuss what is possible during your consultation.
To help you fing or take the best possible reference photo, I have included a few helpful tips below.
Poor lighting
Great lighting
Lighting
Good lighting is essential for capturing the correct colours and details in your reference photo. It also helps ensure the eyes are clearly visible, allowing me to capture their expression and character accurately.
Natural daylight is ideal, particularly light coming through a window. However, a well-lit room can work perfectly too. Try to avoid very dark rooms, harsh direct sunlight or strong shadows across the face, as these can make it difficult to see important details and accurately judge colours.
Poor quality
Great quality
Resolution
A high resolution photograph allows me to see the small details that make your pet or loved one unique, from the texture of their fur and individual features to the finer details around the eyes and face.
The clearer and sharper the original image, the more accurately I can capture these details in your portrait. Try to avoid photos that are heavily cropped, blurry, pixelated or screenshots as these can lose important information.
If the only photograph you have is lower quality, please don't worry. Send to me anyway and I can let you know during the consultation whether it is suitable to work from.
Posture
A natural, relaxed pose can make a big difference when creating portrait. try to choose a photograph where your sunject is sitting or standing naturally, with their face clearly visible and not turned to far away from the camera.
For pets, I recommend choosing a pose that reflects their personality. Whether they are sitting proudly lying comfortably or looking directly that the camera, a natural expression can help me capture their character as well as their likeness.
Try to avoid awkward angles, heavily tilted heads or photographs where the face is partially hidden.
I would suggest taking a picture of your pet face on to capture both their head and chest. Try tempting them with a treat so you can control the angle of their head without holding it up too high.
awkward angle
perfect
Poor quality
Great quality
Focus
A sharp, well-focused photograph is important because it allows me to see the fine details that bring a portrait to life. Features such as the eyes, nose, fur, hair and facial details need to be as clear as possible.
Try to avoid photographs that are blurry, out of focus or have motion blur. Even a small amount of blur can make it difficult to accurately capture the finer details and true likeness of your subject.
Distance
Try to take your reference photo with your subject close to the camera, rather than standing or sitting far away in the distance. This lets me see their features clearly and capture the details that make them recognisable.
For portraits, the face should ideally take up a good portion of the photograph without being cropped. avoid photos where the subject appears very small within the frame, as important details can become difficult to see, even if the overall photo is clear.
Too far away
perfect
awkward angle
ideal angle
Toys & Accessories
If you would like your pet pictured with a favourite toy or another item either beside them or in their mouth, please make sure the photo is taken from a good angle, with he toy and your pets face clearly visible. The image should be sharp and in focus so I can capture all the important details correctly. Avoid photos where the toy is blocking key features such as the eyes, nose or mouth as these details are essential for creating a beautiful and recognisable portrait.
Accessories add ons
Sometimes the perfect portrait just needs that extra little detail. If you have a photo you love but would like to add an accessory such as a tiara, crown, collar, necklace or another special item, I can digitally add it to your photo using my iPad before the portrait is created by hand.
The design process will be shared with you so you can see exactly how the finished composition will look. Any adjustments can then be made to ensure you are 100% happy with the mock-up before drawing commences. This gives us the opportunity to create a final design that feels personal, natural and exactly what you had in mind.