When booking a portrait, the reference image you choose for your portrait is paramount to the outcome final artwork. Good quality images are a must for the detailed work that I create, but I do understand that it is not always possible to provide such perfect photographs.
To help you make your decision, I have put some information together to offer help & advice when choosing the best photograph for your portrait. My artwork is created to last a lifetime so it is important you choose the right composition that will adorn your wall for many years to come.
To help you make your decision, I have put some information together to offer help & advice when choosing the best photograph for your portrait. My artwork is created to last a lifetime so it is important you choose the right composition that will adorn your wall for many years to come.
Perfect balanceChoose a photo that was taken in natural light, preferably outdoors. Avoid strong sunlight. A light, cloudy day is usually best.
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Too blurryBlurry, out of focus images are not sufficient for reference use as detail is essential. Improvising can render the subject unrecognisable.
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Too darkIf your photos are underexposed, any attempts to brighten them up will cause the deterioration of both detail and natural colour.
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QUICK CHECKLIST
DO:
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DONT:
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MULTIPLE SUBJECTS:
If you are booking a portrait with multiple subjects, please provide a group of individual photos and of them all together for sizing purposes. Your portrait will be constructed from individual reference images
If you are booking a portrait with multiple subjects, please provide a group of individual photos and of them all together for sizing purposes. Your portrait will be constructed from individual reference images
Should you require guidance on selecting the most suitable photographs for your portrait, please check any of the boxes below. This will open a window providing lots of valuable advice to assist you in making an informed decision.
Alternatively, you are welcome to reach out to me directly at: [email protected]
Alternatively, you are welcome to reach out to me directly at: [email protected]
Head & Shoulders portraitThe ‘head and shoulders’ pose is a favoured choice for pet portraits, offering a detailed and intimate depiction of your beloved pet. High-quality reference photos are essential for this style, particularly for large format portraits. To ensure the best outcome, zoom into your photo to check the clarity of the details. If they appear pixelated or fuzzy, the photo may not be suitable. Remember, precision is key in creating a life-like pet portrait.
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Pet within a backgroundChoosing a pet portrait set against a scenic backdrop offers a unique perspective where the intricate details of your pet may not be the primary focus. However, if a larger portrait is what you desire, the finer details become more significant. To ensure the best outcome, it’s crucial that your photo retains its quality when zoomed in. Additionally, for the most authentic representation, please provide a photo that captures the natural colours of your pet and avoids areas of under or overexposure.
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* Fill the camera frame with the subject for head & shoulder portraits * Take in natural light wherever possible * Take a close up photo of the subject for detail *
X Avoid low quality imagesThe above photo has been significantly cropped, resulting in a substantial loss of detail. Additionally, the uneven colour distribution hinders the creation of a detailed portrait. The quality of the photos you provide is crucial for crafting a realistic representation.
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X Avoid FlashFlash photography can be quite severe, especially for dark-coloured animals. It often results in underexposure that even extensive highlighting can’t rectify. Flash photos typically aren’t artist-friendly due to excessive shine on the fur, loss of natural colour, and overexposed pupils.
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✓ Natural light is bestPhotographing dark and light animals can be a complex task, as it involves balancing contrasting tones from opposite ends of the colour spectrum. However, an outdoor session on a cloudy day can provide the ideal lighting balance for your pet photography
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HORSE PHOTOGRAPHY
* Fill the camera frame with the subject * Take in natural light wherever possible * Take a close up photo of the subject for detail
Head & Shoulders portraitThe most popular option for portraits. Quality is vital especially for large portraits, so ensure that details are crisp and clear in your photos. It may be difficult to use the image if it is blurry. If a lack of detail requires adjustments to be made to the horse's features, it could result in the subject becoming unrecognizable.
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Portrait within a backgroundFor full-body portraits in scenic settings, fine details are less important unless you require a very large portrait. Prioritise colour balance and limit overexposure or underexposure. I can position the horse within any background, so feel free to provide additional images.
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Advice for horse owners
Crafting the perfect horse portrait is an art that respects your preferences. Whether you’re drawn to the raw beauty of your horse in its natural, ungroomed state, or you’re captivated by a more polished, groomed look, the choice is entirely yours. If you do not require tack and blankets, please provide images that exclude them. This is essential as obscured details in the photograph cannot be accurately represented in the portrait. Lastly, for optimal results, especially with darker horses, make sure the light is illuminating the front of your horse’s body and head to prevent shadows. Your horse portrait, your rules.
You may want a portrait of a pet or a loved one, but only have physical photographs available. These can prove challenging to work with, especially old images that captured a wonderful moment but offered very little detail. If this is the case, provide a few images so I can see what is possible. Click the image of the Cocker Spaniel to view a commission that was produced from a photo.
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Please Note: All artwork copyrights remain with the artist. Artwork may be used in future advertising materials. Kindly read and accept the terms and conditions on the Terms & Services page before proceeding with your commission(s).
Important Information: Ensure that you own the copyright for any photograph(s) you provide for your commission. If the image has been taken by a professional photographer, I require written permission from them confirming the use of their photograph(s). The only exception is if you have purchased the image(s) along with the copyright, in which case written proof will be necessary. Before starting the artwork, I require a copy of this documentation.
Please Note: All artwork copyrights remain with the artist. Artwork may be used in future advertising materials. Kindly read and accept the terms and conditions on the Terms & Services page before proceeding with your commission(s).
Important Information: Ensure that you own the copyright for any photograph(s) you provide for your commission. If the image has been taken by a professional photographer, I require written permission from them confirming the use of their photograph(s). The only exception is if you have purchased the image(s) along with the copyright, in which case written proof will be necessary. Before starting the artwork, I require a copy of this documentation.