How to take / choose photographs

When taking or choosing photos : -

 

A good, clear headshot, taken from the side (I dislike head on portraits as I think they look slightly odd).Please make sure the eye is clear to see - the eye being the window to the soul - it helps me define the animal's nature. Also, it is terrible to try and work out eye colour without this, you'd be surprised how many people do not know the colour of their pet's eyes!

 

Photos taken outside (without flash) from about 3-6 feet on a level with their head. Sunlight / flash can reduce the colours of the animalthus giving a false effect. Also strong shadows do not help me to produce a painting.

 

It is preferable for me to work from hard copy photographs, but I can paint from an emailed attatchment.

 

If you can supply a small portfolio of the pet, so much the better, this helps give me a feel to its character.

 

If you are unsure if your photos are good enough, I'm happy to look at them and decide what I can do or suggest ways to take another. This can be done via email (with the ones I choose posted to me via snail mail).

 

Rest assured - I will take great care of your photos (I put them in a small, clear plastic bag whilst using them as reference, to protect them) and they will be returned to you with your finished portrait.