How to Choose the Perfect Photo for a Custom Pet Portrait

The secret to a portrait that truly looks like them isn't the artist's skill alone — it starts with the photo you choose. Here's how to pick the one that will shine.

Look for good light

Natural light is your best friend. A photo taken near a window or outdoors in soft daylight captures the true color of your pet's coat and the sparkle in their eyes.

Get on their level

Photos taken at your pet's eye level feel intimate and alive. Crouch down, get close, and let their expression fill the frame.

Sharp and clear wins

A crisp, in-focus photo gives our artists the detail they need — every whisker, every fleck of color. Blurry or low-resolution images lose the magic.

Personality over perfection

The slightly crooked smile, the one floppy ear, the head tilt — these are the details that make a portrait unmistakably theirs. Choose the photo that makes you smile.

Ready when you are — start your custom portrait →