How to Choose the Perfect Photo for Your Pet Portrait
- Aimee Black
- 19 hours ago
- 6 min read
A simple guide to getting the most beautiful result from your custom artwork
If you’re thinking about commissioning a custom pet portrait, one of the most important decisions you’ll make (after choosing your artist) is selecting the right reference photo.
Your photo is what your artist uses to understand your pet’s unique features, colouring, and — most importantly — their unique character and personality. Simply put, the better the photo, the better the finished portrait will be. But beyond that, the best portraits come from photos that feel like your pet — the ones that you feel connected too and make you think “that’s them!”.
Choosing a pet portrait from a photo is a beautiful and lasting way to honour a much-loved pet — or to create something truly personal for someone else. But not all photos translate equally well into artwork.
This is why I have created this guide - to help my clients, and anyone else who is commissioning a custom pet portrait, to select a great reference photo that will make for a gorgeous custom artwork.
Want to keep this guide handy?
You can download it as a beautifully formatted PDF, with examples of good vs not so good photos, to refer back to when choosing your photo. I’ll send it straight to your inbox so you have it when you need it.
Hi, I’m Aimee — a watercolour pet portrait artist based in regional Australia, originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand. I specialise in creating hand-painted watercolour pet portraits from photos, capturing the personality and spirit of each animal in a soft, expressive style.
As an animal lover, I understand how deep the bond between pets and their people can be. I feel incredibly honoured to create paintings that mean so much, bring joy and happy memories, and become lifelong keepsakes.
While I work from photographs, my goal isn’t to create a perfect copy. Instead, I focus on creating a personalised pet portrait that feels alive — with delicate layers of watercolour, subtle brushstrokes, and an artistic interpretation that brings out your pet’s character.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to choose the best photo for your custom pet portrait, including what to look for, what to avoid, and how to take a great photo if you need one.
How to Choose the Best Photo for a Pet Portrait from a Photo
Tips for creating a beautiful custom watercolour pet portrait
When commissioning a custom pet portrait from a photo, the image you choose plays a huge role in the final result.
Whether you’re ordering a pet portrait for yourself, a memorial pet portrait, or a gift for a pet owner, choosing the right reference photo will help ensure your artwork feels like the pet
— not just a copy of a picture.
Below, I’ll walk you through exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to take the perfect photo if you need one.
What Makes a Great Reference Photo for a Pet Portrait
1. Clear focus (especially the face)
Your pet’s face — particularly their eyes — should be in focus. This allows the artist to capture finer details and expression in your custom pet portrait.
For example, action shots of your dog running at the park might be super cute and fun, but movement will blur key features. Ideally, your pet is sitting or standing still.
That said, the photo doesn’t need to be perfect — as long as the main features are clear, it can still work beautifully.
2. Natural Lighting for the Best Result
Lighting has a big impact on how your pet portrait painting turns out.
Natural light (outdoors or near a window) is always best. Try to avoid:
Heavy shadows across the face
Very dark photos
Harsh flash lighting
Bright light that makes your pet squint
Good lighting helps accurately capture your pet’s colouring and expression.
3. Eye-Level Photos Create a Stronger Connection
Photos taken at your pet’s eye level feel more natural and engaging, which translates beautifully into a pet portrait from a photo.
4. True-to-Life Colours Matter
Choose a photo that reflects your pet’s real colouring — especially their eyes and coat.
Filters can alter tones, making it harder to create an accurate custom pet portrait, so natural, unedited photos are always best.
5. Choose a Photo That Feels Like Your Pet
This is one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of choosing a photo.The best pet portraits don’t just look like your pet — they feel like them.
You’ve probably taken photos where your pet looks a bit “off” or not quite like themselves. Those aren’t ideal for a portrait. Instead, choose a photo where you instantly think, “That’s them.” It might be their expression, the way they hold their head, or something subtle you recognise immediately. That emotional connection is what helps create a meaningful piece of pet portrait artwork.
Tips for Taking the Perfect Pet Photo
If you don’t already have the right image, it’s absolutely worth taking a new one if you can — and your phone camera is more than enough.
Use Natural Light
Take your pet outdoors or position them near a window, ideally facing the light source.
Get to Eye Level
Crouch down so you’re face-to-face with your pet.
For smaller pets, placing them on a couch or someone’s lap can help you get the right angle.
Focus on the Eyes
The eyes are the heart of any pet portrait painting.
Front-on photos where both eyes are visible are great, but profile shots can also work — just make sure at least one eye is clear.
Take Lots of Photos
Pets rarely sit still for long!
Take plenty of photos so you have options — chances are, one will be perfect.
Use Treats or Sounds
To capture a bright, alert expression:
Hold a treat near the camera (not too high)
Use a small noise or squeaky toy to get their attention (it can perk up their ears and eyes).
This helps create that engaged, expressive look that works beautifully in a custom pet portrait.
Choosing a Photo for a Memorial Pet Portrait
If you’re commissioning a memorial pet portrait, you may only have older or lower-quality images — and that’s okay.
As a pet portrait artist and animal lover, I take memorial pet portraits very seriously, and will only go ahead if I feel confident I can create a beautiful, hand-painted piece that truly honours your pet.
If you’re unsure, you can:
Send through multiple photos
Include different angles or expressions
I can often combine elements from several images to create something that feels right and meaningful.
Choosing a Photo as a Gift for a Pet Owner
A custom pet portrait makes a beautiful and thoughtful birthday or Christmas gift or as a wedding present.
If you’re choosing a photo of someone else’s pet:
Ask (If You Can)
If possible, ask the owner for their favourite photo.
Recruit Help
Ask the recipient’s close family or household members to help source a good photo of the pet. I’ve had clients organise little “secret missions” with family members to sneakily capture the perfect reference photo for a surprise portrait.
Check Social Media
Many people share great images of their pets online — these can be perfect reference photos (you can screenshot them).
Send Options
If you’re unsure, send through a few photos and I can help you choose the best one for the portrait.
Visual Guide: Best vs Not-So-Great Pet Photos
✔ Best Photos for a Pet Portrait
Eyes are visible and in focus
Natural lighting
Pet looks alert and expressive
Colours are true to life
The photo feels like your pet
Result: A beautiful custom pet portrait that captures personality and spirit.
✖ Photos to Avoid
Blurry or out of focus
Poor lighting or harsh flash
Sleepy or disengaged expression
Strong filters
Doesn’t quite look like your pet
Result: These can limit how much detail and personality can be captured in your pet portrait from a photo.
My Watercolour Pet Portrait Style
My approach isn’t about copying a photograph exactly, though of course it will look like your pet.Instead, I create hand-painted watercolour pet portraits that feel alive — capturing your pet’s personality through soft layers, delicate brushstrokes, and subtle colour variations.
This is why choosing the right photo matters — it gives me the best foundation to create something very special. You can see examples of my custom watercolour pet portraits HERE.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right photo is one of the most important steps in creating a custom pet portrait you’ll love for years to come.
If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to help you select (or even take) the best possible reference photo. I’ve even been known to visit clients to help in person — which I love, because it means I get to meet your pets too.
If you’d like to learn more about by custom watercolour pet portraits, you can find more information HERE.
If you’d like a copy of this guide to keep, you can download it as a free PDF and I’ll send it straight to your email.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out:📧 aimee@aimeeblack.com.au
If you’re ready to book your custom watercolour pet portrait in Australia or New Zealand, you can get started HERE.
Thanks for stopping by!
Aimee
