REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR PET

 

I work from reference photos of your pet. Either digital photos sent online, or mailed snapshots. Natural light, and clear, detailed, high resolution images are ideal. It is difficult to work from tiny images or photographs that are blurry or have low detail. If you are not sure, send the photo and I will let you know if it is usable. Snapshots are scanned to my computer and returned to you.

 

Tips for Photographing your Pet

 

Pets are wonderfully expressive, but it's sometimes a challenge to capture the expression you’d like on camera. Pets may feel uneasy being photographed, or be difficult to keep still. Here are some tips to make the experience of photographing your pet easier and more successful.

 

Choosing the scene

 

The best place to photograph pets is usually in an area where they are most comfortable and relaxed, like their favorite chair, or engaged in an activity like playing with a toy. If they are relaxed it will be easier to capture their personality.

 

Outdoor lighting is great, but if your pet is easily distracted nature, you may want to take your pictures indoors where there are fewer distractions.   

It's best to keep the background as clutter-free as possible, so the focus is on your pet, although I can eliminate unwanted clutter or change the background in the painting. 

 

Get up close to pets to take your shot. This will show more detail and expression.  Fill the shot with them. You want the main focus on your pet.

 

Below is an example of a painting done from a photo with several problems, too bright light, low detail, and clutter, although I did get a nice painting from it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Shot

 

Before shooting, take a minute or two to help pets relax in their setting.

 

In general, get on your pet’s eye level. Shooting from above can result in an awkward view of them, although you may love that photo of them looking up at you. There are beautiful photos that break the rules, so take lots of photos from different perspectives, the more variety the better for painting reference. 

 

Sometimes posing is best, and sometimes candid shots are better, so experiment.

 

You (usually) want your pet to be look happy. Pets look happiest when their ears are up and eyes wide open. To accomplish this you might say things that pique their interest, (“Who's that?”, “Where’s the kitty?”), funny noises, squeaky toys, whatever works. Use treats, praise, and/or a favorite toy to encourage cooperative behavior. If you are frustrated, they'll sense it, and it will reflect in their expression.

 

Have a helper if it's difficult to be both the photographer and the handler at the same time.  If you want your pet to look toward the camera, have the assistant stand behind, or close to the photographer, not off to the side. If pets won't cooperate, give them a break and try again later.

 

Lighting  

 

Outdoor photos are best taken in earlier morning or later afternoon. The light is less harsh and the sun's angle will add some dimension to your pet's features. The sun should be to the side, so it’s not directly in your pet’s eyes. Mid-day sun can wash out pet’s coloring and features, and cause them to squint.  

The best indoor light is near a bright window or a well lit room. Avoid using a flash, as it washes out detail and causes green-eye (like red-eye in people) when the flash reflects off the back of the eye.

 

With patience you will be able to get some great photos.

 

Professional Photographs

 

If you want to use professional photos you must have permission in writing from the photographer to use his image for a painting.

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If your pet has passed, just provide all the photos you can. I scan them into my computer and then return them to you.