Guidelines for choosing the best photo:

Composition-- Subject should be up close, detailed, and in focus.
  • Eye-level is a preferred view -- getting down at your pet's level provides a better composition and allows less distortion. Dogs with longer noses tend to get distorted in size if the photo is taken at the wrong angle or too close.
  • Focus in on the eyes. One of the most important features of the painting -- the eyes can help make a special connection between the painting and the viewer by putting focus on a particular emotion or expression.
Lighting
  • Outdoor lighting is highly recommended-- with the exception of the sun being too harsh.
  • Pictures taken indoors may give a false sense of colors and shadows. A subject within close proximity to a window will help show any needed details.
  • Too much light from a flash can flatten or "white out" the image.
Image Resolution
  • A higher resolution digital file is preferred to be able to zoom in and capture all of the details. If you can zoom in and see the individual hairs on your pet's face- it's a great photo!
  • If the only photograph available is of lower resolution with very little detail provided, I may not be able to paint your pet at your desired image size. The less detail present in the photo-- the less detail the finished painting will have. 
Please note-- images downloaded from social media are usually lower in resolution and not suitable to work from-- Please send the original file.

Not sure which photo would work best?

Choose several of your favorites and I can give you ideas on which photo(s)
could best be artistically brought to life. More than one picture can be combined to fabricate the painting.

-Please Note-
Any pictures taken by a commercial photographer cannot be used as a reference for the painting unless there is a written consent from the photographer, or you retain the rights.

-Copyright Laws-
Current copyright laws apply to all artwork created unless a written agreement has been made between the client and artist. The artist retains all reproduction rights from the moment of creation, and is given a term enduring for the artist's life, plus an additional 50 years after the artist's death. The artist has the right to use any created images publicly for advertising or promotional displays unless a written contract is signed denying such rights.