Pet Photography Guide

The best embroidered portraits start with great photos of your pet! Here are some tips about how to choose and take the best pictures.
NOTE: I understand that for some pieces, such as memorial portraits, it’s not possible to take new photos of your pet.
Please rest assured that I will work with whatever photos you have available to make the best portrait possible.

Choosing a photo

When choosing a photo, look for photos that are CLEAR, LARGE, and taken in NATURAL LIGHT.

CLEAR photos show details the best and help me to capture all the tiny parts that make your pet special! LARGE photos make it easier for me to zoom in and get a closer look at your pet. Photos taken in NATURAL LIGHT best reflect your pet’s true coloring (if you have a photo you’d like me to color-correct, I can help with that!). Here are some examples of ideal pet photos (modeled by the Grumpy Dog Designs Employee of the Month, Abby):

The hardest photos to work with are ones that are small, blurry, dark, dull, or taken in artificial/indoor light (which often casts a yellow glow). Here are some examples of not-great photos (sorry, Abby):

When in doubt, please feel free to send a photo along! Even if it’s not ideal to base the portrait off of, it can still be helpful as a reference for coloring or other details. Plus, every picture helps me get to know your pet a little better!

Taking a Photo

If you’d like to take photos of your pet specifically for their portrait, there’s no need for a fancy camera or photographer! Most phone cameras take photos that will work great for a portrait.

Choose a location that’s free from distraction. Outdoors in a shady spot or on a cloudy day works well. If you’d like to take a picture inside, look for a room that gets even, natural light. Pay attention to how the light falls on your pet’s face. You’re looking for even, soft, diffuse light with few shadows or bright spots, so avoid direct sunlight. Be careful the light isn’t too bright so your pet doesn’t squint!

Get on your pet’s level, so that they’re looking straight into the camera or slightly up. Use toys, food, or your voice to get their attention! If your camera has a “burst” mode, try using it to capture a lot of photos quickly. Keep the photography sessions short and end with lots of treats and playtime!

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