This week I'm working on a commission of three beautiful ladies. I'll post some pictures when it is done, but in the meantime here are some tips on taking great pictures of your pet for a custom painting.
The best paintings come from great photographs!
Here are some DOs and DON'Ts for taking photographs of your pet:
- DO use the highest quality camera! Pictures from your camera-phone can be blurry and not true to color.
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| Xena and Lucy less than ideal picture taken with a camera phone, poor lighting |
- DO be patient and take lots of photos...not 5 but 50! Don't be in a rush and have fun with this time with your pet. And if it's not working out, try again another time.
- DO take photos in natural light and avoid using flash*. Flash can create red-eye and distort your pet's coat and body. The best photos are taken outside or near a window on a bright but overcast day. Avoid direct sunlight since it can alter your pet's true coloring and create shadows which hide features. *Note that some dark coats may need flash bring out the colors in its coat. Experiment with and without flash if you have a dark-colored pet!
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| Bad Penny! Flash used, poor indoor lighting |
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| Good Penny! Natural light, no flash |
- DO get down on your pet's level. (Unless you want a photo with your pet looking up at you)
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Cupcake and Buckley looking up....  |
- DON'T forget to take head and full-body photographs. Take closeups of your pets face as well as 3/4 and full-body shots.
- DO have some treats on hand to capture your pet's attention. To capture your pet's personality, DO include his or her favorite toy or ball in the photo/portrait.
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| Colby with his ball... he loves to fetch! |
- DO have fun! Any time spent with your special furry friend is time well spent. :)
