September 18th, 2025

When you commission me to paint a much-loved animal, the photos you send are the key to capturing their true spirit. My job isn’t just to copy a picture… it’s to bring out the spark that makes your pet them.

✨ Why more than one photo?
A single snapshot can be misleading. Shadows hide features, angles distort proportions, and lighting changes colours. With several photos, I can see your animal as a whole rather than guessing from one moment in time.

✨ What makes a good reference photo?

• Clear and sharp — no blur
• Natural light — daylight shows true colours
• Full body shots — to understand stance and posture
• Close-ups — for eyes, markings, and details
• Different angles — front, side, and three-quarter views

✨ Capturing personality
The best commissions often come from photos that show character — that favourite pose, a tilt of the head, or an expression you know so well. Those little details bring warmth and life into the painting.

✨ A little extra tip
Don’t worry if you don’t have the perfect photo. Send me what you do have… I can often combine the best parts of different images into one final piece. The more variety you share, the more faithfully I can capture your animal.

🎨 A painting is more than a likeness. It’s a memory, a presence, a tribute. Choosing your photos carefully helps me create something that feels alive every time you look at it.