A hand-painted pet portrait is one of the most personal pieces of art you can hang in your home. Whether it's your dog snoozing on the couch, your cat perched on the windowsill, or a much-loved companion who's no longer with you, a painting captures their personality in a way a phone photo never quite can.
But here's the thing our artists see every week: the photo you choose makes a huge difference to the finished painting. The good news is you don't need a professional camera. You just need to know what to look for. Here's our simple guide.
1. Make sure the eyes are clear and sharp
The eyes are where a pet portrait comes to life. If the eyes are blurry, hidden in shadow or glowing from a camera flash, our artist has to guess, and the expression may not feel quite like your pet.
Look for a photo where you can clearly see the colour of the eyes, the little reflection of light in them, and the fur around them. If the eyes look right, the whole painting will feel right.
2. Choose natural light over flash
Soft daylight is your best friend. Photos taken near a window or outdoors on a slightly overcast day show the true colour of your pet's coat and the fine detail in their fur.
Try to avoid:
- Camera flash, which flattens features and causes "glowing eyes"
- Harsh midday sun, which creates deep shadows and blown-out highlights
- Dim indoor lighting, which makes photos grainy and changes coat colours
3. Get down to their eye level
Photos taken from above (looking down at your pet) tend to make heads look big and bodies look small. For a portrait, the most flattering angle is usually at your pet's eye level, or just slightly above.
If you're taking new photos, crouch or sit on the floor and let them come to you. A treat or a squeaky toy held just above the camera works wonders for getting their attention.
4. Pick a photo that shows their personality
Technical quality matters, but so does character. Is your dog always tilting their head? Does your cat have a signature "unimpressed" look? Those are the details that make a portrait unmistakably them.
If you have a few favourite photos, send them all. Our artists can use one main photo for the pose and others for reference on markings, eye colour or coat texture.
5. Use the highest resolution you have
Screenshots from social media and photos sent through messaging apps are often heavily compressed. Wherever possible, send the original file straight from your phone or camera. A good rule of thumb: if you can zoom in and still see individual whiskers, it's a great photo to paint from.
6. Don't worry about the background
Messy lounge room behind your dog? No problem. The background can be simplified, softened or changed completely in the painting. Many customers choose a clean, soft-toned background so their pet really stands out, but you can also ask for a favourite spot such as the backyard, the beach or their bed.
7. Painting more than one pet?
You don't need a photo of all your pets together. In fact, separate photos often work better, as long as they're taken in similar lighting and from a similar angle. Our artist can bring them together into one balanced composition.
What if my only photo isn't perfect?
This is especially common with pets who have passed away. Please don't let that stop you. Send us what you have, and we'll let you know honestly what's possible. Our artists can often work from older or lower-quality photos, sometimes combining details from several images to get the likeness right.
Ready to turn your photo into a painting?
Every pet portrait at EKM Art Studio is hand-painted in oil on canvas by our own artists. Before we ship, we'll send you a photo of the finished painting for your approval, and revisions are free. Your portrait arrives unframed and rolled in a tube, ready for framing.
Choose the style that suits your pet:
- Custom Pet Portrait in Oil – Impressionist Style: soft, painterly brushwork with a timeless feel
- Custom Pet Portrait in Oil – Palette Knife Style: bold, textured strokes that really pop on the wall
Not sure which photo to use? Send us a few through our contact page and we'll happily help you choose. You can also browse all our custom paintings.
New to EKM Art Studio? Sign up on our website to get 15% off your first order.