A Guide to Choosing a Reference Photo for Your Pet’s Portrait
I often paint pets who have already passed, and their families may have many photos to sort through without knowing which ones work best for a portrait. This guide can serve as a helpful starting point, and I am always happy to walk you through choosing the right image.
This guide is also helpful for pet owners whose animals are still with us and who would like to pose their pets for new photos.
Your photo does not need to meet every suggestion in this guide. It is only meant to offer guidance. If you commission a portrait and would like more help, I can look through your photos with you and offer personalized recommendations.
While indoor lighting can still work, natural light is ideal for capturing accurate details and tones. For the best reference photos, take pictures near a window or outdoors. Early morning and late afternoon, often called “The Golden Hour”, offer especially beautiful, soft lighting.
Indoor Light vs Natural Light
In this indoor shot, Remi has a pretty bold shadow across his neck. It works just fine as a reference, it’s just something to be aware of when picking your picture.
This photo of Granger is taken in natural light, which brings out great detail without creating harsh shadows.
Take Photos at Their Eye Level
We often take photos of our pets from above, because that’s usually how we view and interact with them. But, I find that my best paintings have references that have been taken down at their eye level.
Both of these photos show my German Shepherd, Remy. They both have great lighting, not too bright or too dark, and they capture her personality well. However, the photo on the right is a much stronger painting reference because it’s taken at her eye level, which makes for a more natural and engaging portrait..
Blurry vs Sharp Images
Blurry photos provide far less details for me to work with. The sharper the image, the better.
Too Dark or Too Bright
When a photo is too dark, important details and subtle values are lost. Overly bright photos cause the same issue by washing out features. Balanced lighting is key for best portrait reference results.
Add a Favorite Toy or Accessory
Each pet has a unique personality, and their accessories, such as a beloved toy, collar, harness, bandana, or even a bowtie (as Mr. Pickles here demonstrates), can beautifully enhance the character and charm of their portrait.
