Photo Guide
Choosing Reference Photos
To capture your pet's unique personality in a portrait, I'll need some good photos to work from! This guide will walk you through everything, making sure your furry friend shines in their portrait!
"Houdini", Kelpie
Ready to send your photos?
You can either email them to me or, for high-quality transfers, click the 'SEND PHOTOS' button below. This takes you to WeTransfer, which lets you send photos in their full glory, without needing an account. You may be asked to sign up, thats no problem, simply click the 'I just want to send files' link just below the sign-up box, this will bypass the sign-up page. Then just add your files, type in my email (lukegoldfinch@hotmail.com), and hit 'Transfer'!
Sharp photos capture sharp personalities
To help me work my magic and create a life-like portrait, your photos need to be high resolution and in clear focus. This means being able to zoom in and see details like your pet's eyes and the direction of their fur. Choosing photos taken closer to your pet also helps capture all the little details that make them unique. Shallow depth of field is acceptable and can often be very effective in bringing the viewers attention to the most intrinsic physical attributes of your beloved pet, provided focus is kept sharp on his or her eyes and nose, the rest of their body doesn't strictly have to be sharply in focus.
Out of focus/blurry
"Bess", Greyhound
"Bess", Rescue Greyhound
Poor resolution
"Bess", Greyhound
"Bess", Rescue Greyhound
Sharp focus,
Good resolution
"Bess", Greyhound
"Bess", Rescue Greyhound
Shallow depth of field with good focus
"Bess", Greyhound
Shine a light on your pet's true colours
Good lighting is key to capturing all the intricate details of your furry friend's features. Photos that are too dark or too bright make it difficult for me to see their true colours.
To capture their best side, try taking pictures in natural daylight. This will show off their fur's true colours and make for a more dynamic portrait. If you're indoors, find a spot close to a large, bright window and avoid backlighting for the best results.
Too bright, over exposed
"Lightning", Greyhound
"Summer", White German Shephard
Poor lighting (dark, backlit)
"Summer" White German Shepherd
"Bess", Rescue Greyhound
Good lighting
"Bess", Greyhound
Capture your pets best angle
Photos from various perspectives helps me capture their full personality, so feel free to send plenty of photos. Pictures taken at eye level with your pet work best for the final product, but the most important thing is to choose a pose that showcases their unique personality and beautiful features.
"Django" Beagle cross
Poor angle (too high)
"Django Beagle x Kelpie"
Good Angle (eye level)
"Django Beagle x Kelpie"
FILTERS AND creative choices
There are exceptions to most rules and this certainly applies to creative decisions. If you have a stylised photo that you are particularly fond of, but it doesn't fit my usual format, send it through and I will be happy to assess and discuss the suitability on an individual basis.
This picture of "Houdini" is taken from a less conventional angle. His eyes are closed, fur detail is not discernible in many of the dark black areas and there is a blue filter added. Despite breaking some of the rules covered in this guide, it's a beautiful composition and something I'd be happy to work from
This picture of "Leela" features mostly just her face. Fur detail is not discernible in the dark black areas and there is a blue filter added. Once again it breaks some of the rules covered in this guide, but aesthetically it speaks for itself and I would be happy to work from it
Ready to send your photos?
You can either email them to me or, for high-quality transfers, click the 'SEND PHOTOS' button below. This takes you to WeTransfer, which lets you send photos in their full glory, without needing an account. You may be asked to sign up, thats no problem, simply click the 'I just want to send files' link just below the sign-up box, this will bypass the sign-up page. Then just add your files, type in my email (lukegoldfinch@hotmail.com), and hit 'Transfer'!
Most of all... have fun!
"Quincy" Irish Wolfhound
"Bess" Retired champion!
