How to Choose the Perfect Photo

Why Your Photo Matters

A great portrait begins with a great reference photo. The photographs you provide are my window into the personality, features, and unique character of your loved one or pet. The better the reference images, the more accurately I can capture expressions, details, and the overall feeling that makes your portrait truly personal.

What Makes a Great Reference Photo?

I recommend sending 3–5 high-quality photos whenever possible. While one photo should clearly show the pose and composition you'd like me to paint, additional images help me understand details that may not be visible in a single picture.

Helpful reference photos include:

A clear, sharp image with good detail.
A close-up of the face and eyes.
Natural expressions that capture personality.
Photos taken from different angles or positions.
One photo that represents the exact pose and viewpoint you want painted.

The more information I have, the better I can create a portrait that truly reflects your loved one or pet.

Photos to Avoid

Not every photograph makes a good painting reference. Photos that are blurry, taken from a long distance, or heavily filtered often don't contain enough detail to accurately recreate facial features and expressions. I also recommend avoiding exaggerated facial expressions unless they genuinely represent the personality you want captured. Clear, natural photographs almost always produce the best portraits.

Can I Combine Multiple Photos?

Yes. If you'd like elements from several photographs combined into one portrait, I can often do that. For example, I can use one photo for the pose, another for facial expression, and another for color reference.

If you'd like multiple poses or multiple views of the same person or pet included in one portrait—such as my Bella the Boxer portrait that features three views of the same dog—each additional face or pose requires additional artwork and is priced the same as adding another subject. This typically increases the commission price by 30–50% for each additional face or view.

What If My Photo Is Blurry?

A blurry photo doesn't always mean a portrait is impossible, but it does make it much more difficult to capture accurate details. If your favorite image isn't sharp, I may ask for additional photos that clearly show the eyes, facial features, or other important details. Even if the pose comes from one photograph, clearer supporting images help me create a more accurate and lifelike portrait.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Lighting

Both indoor and outdoor photographs can work beautifully. The most important thing is that the colors accurately represent the person's skin tone or your pet's natural coloring.

Because I often use several reference photos, it's helpful to let me know which image best represents the true colors of the subject. While one photograph may provide the perfect pose, another may better capture eye color, coat color, or skin tone. My goal is to combine these details to create a portrait that not only looks like the subject but also captures their unique personality and spirit.

FAQ

I encourage you to send 2–4 photos. One should show the pose you'd like painted, while the others help me capture details, expressions, and accurate colors.
Yes. I can combine elements from multiple photos to create one portrait. Additional faces or views are considered additional subjects and may increase the commission price.
Yes. Vintage and older photographs can often be used. If the image lacks detail, I'll ask for additional photos to help accurately capture the subject.
A clear reference photo always produces the best results. If your favorite image is blurry, additional clear photos can often provide the details needed to complete the portrait.
Yes. Smartphone photos are perfectly acceptable as long as they're clear, well-lit, and high resolution.
No. Digital photos are preferred because they're easier to enlarge and preserve their quality.