How to Choose the Best Photo for a Custom Pet Portrait
How to Choose the Best Photo for a Custom Pet Portrait
The best photo for a custom pet portrait is clear, well-lit, and shows your pet’s face and body as naturally as possible. Front-facing photos taken at eye level usually work best, but don’t worry if your picture is not perfect. At Paws & Keeps, our artists can work with almost any photo, and if your image is unusable, we’ll contact you by email for a better one.
Choosing the right photo matters because your portrait is created from the image you upload. The better the photo, the easier it is for the artist to capture your pet’s expression, posture, markings, and little details that make them feel like your pet.
Below is a simple guide to help you choose the best picture before ordering your custom watercolor pet portrait.
Quick photo checklist
Before uploading your photo, look for these things:
| Photo detail | Best option |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Bright, natural light |
| Angle | Front-facing or slightly angled |
| Focus | Clear and sharp, not blurry |
| Pet position | Sitting or standing works best |
| Visibility | Face and body should be visible |
| Background | Any background is fine |
| Accessories | Best without, but okay if your pet is clearly visible |
| Unsure which photo to use? | Upload multiple photos and we’ll choose the best one |
The most important rule is simple: your pet should be the main focus of the image.
1. Choose a clear, focused photo
A clear photo gives the artist the best chance to capture your pet’s real features. Try to avoid photos where your pet is blurry, too far away, heavily shadowed, or covered by objects.
A good pet portrait photo should show:
- your pet’s eyes
- face shape
- ears
- coat markings
- body position
- unique features, such as spots, patches, or fluffy fur
If the photo looks blurry on your phone when you zoom in, it may also be harder for the artist to use. That does not always mean it is impossible, but a sharper image will usually lead to a better final portrait.
2. Use good lighting whenever possible
Good lighting makes a big difference. Natural daylight is usually best because it shows your pet’s coat color, eyes, and markings more accurately.
Try to avoid photos that are:
- very dark
- taken with harsh flash
- heavily filtered
- taken in strong backlight
- full of deep shadows
A photo near a window, outside in soft daylight, or in a bright room usually works well. The goal is not to make the photo look professional. The goal is to make sure your pet is easy to see.
3. Eye-level photos usually work best
For the most natural custom pet portrait, choose a photo taken around your pet’s eye level.
Eye-level photos help the artwork feel more personal because they capture your pet the way you usually see them: their expression, their posture, and their little personality.
Photos taken from too high above can make the body look smaller or distorted. Photos taken from too low can exaggerate the nose, chin, or chest. These can still work, especially for fun or expressive portraits, but eye-level is the safest choice.
4. Front-facing photos are usually the easiest to work with
A front-facing photo of your pet sitting or standing is usually ideal. It gives the artist a clear view of your pet’s face, body shape, and markings.
That said, your pet does not need to be perfectly posed. Many natural, relaxed photos work beautifully, especially if your pet’s personality comes through.
Good photo examples include:
- your dog sitting and looking at the camera
- your cat sitting near a window
- your pet standing in the garden
- your pet looking slightly to the side, as long as the face is visible
- a happy, relaxed photo where your pet looks like themselves
Try to avoid photos where your pet’s face is turned too far away, unless that specific pose is what you want captured.
5. Make sure your pet is the main focus
Your pet should be easy to identify in the image. If there are too many people, objects, other animals, or distractions, it may be harder to know which details matter most.
The background itself does not need to be perfect. For our portraits, the background from your original photo is not illustrated. The artist focuses on your pet, and the final artwork uses the background color you choose when personalizing your portrait.
So don’t stress about a messy room, grass, furniture, blankets, or toys in the background. As long as your pet is clearly visible, we can usually work with it.
6. Accessories are okay, but simple photos are best
For the cleanest result, a photo without accessories is usually best. This helps the artist clearly see your pet’s natural features.
However, accessories are not automatically a problem. Collars, bows, bandanas, toys, blankets, or other details can still work as long as they do not cover your pet’s face or important features.
A good rule:
| Accessory situation | Is it okay? |
|---|---|
| Collar visible | Yes |
| Bandana visible | Usually yes |
| Toy nearby | Yes |
| Blanket around pet | Usually yes |
| Hat covering ears or face | Not ideal |
| Object blocking the face | Avoid if possible |
If the accessory is part of your pet’s personality, it can be included. Just make sure your pet is still clearly visible.
7. Upload multiple photos if you are unsure
Not sure which photo is best? Upload multiple photos.
This is often the easiest solution. If you send more than one image, we can choose the one that gives the artist the best reference for your custom pet portrait.
This is especially helpful if:
- one photo has better lighting
- another shows your pet’s body better
- one photo captures their face clearly
- you are not sure which angle looks best
- your pet has unique markings you want captured
A few good photos are better than one questionable photo. Our team will use the best option for the artwork.
8. What if my photo is not perfect?
Your photo does not need to be studio quality. Most customers use normal phone photos, and that is completely fine.
We can work with almost any photo, but some images may be too low-quality to use. If your uploaded photo is unusable, we will contact you by email and ask you to send a different one.
So there is no need to panic before ordering. Just upload the best photo you have, and if there is an issue, we’ll let you know.
You can also check our FAQ & Contact Us page if you have questions before placing your order.
9. Can you use separate photos for a pet and owner portrait?
Yes. For our Pet & Owner Watercolor Portrait, you can upload one photo that already includes both the pet and the owner, or you can upload separate photos.
If you send separate photos, our artists can combine the pet and owner into one custom artwork.
This is useful when:
- your favorite pet photo does not include the owner
- the best owner photo and best pet photo are separate
- the pet has passed away and you do not have a perfect photo together
- you want a more meaningful portrait from different memories
For best results, choose photos where both the pet and owner are clear, well-lit, and taken from a natural angle.
10. What happens after you upload your photo?
After you place your order, our artists create your custom artwork and send you a proof before production.
At Paws & Keeps:
- proofs are sent within 48 hours
- priority review orders receive a proof within 24 hours
- unlimited revisions are included
- updated proofs may take up to 48 hours
- updated priority review proofs may take up to 24 hours
We only move forward once the design is approved.
This means you get to see the artwork before it is printed, framed, or finalized as a digital file.
11. Which product option should you choose?
Your photo can be turned into a few different keepsake options depending on what you want.
The main options include:
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Print only | Simple wall art or choosing your own frame |
| Framed print | A ready-to-display gift or home decor piece |
| Digital file | Fast delivery, flexible printing, or sharing |
| Matching mug | A practical add-on using the same pet illustration |
If you want the classic keepsake, start with a custom watercolor pet portrait. If you want to celebrate the bond between a person and their pet, choose the Pet & Owner Watercolor Portrait.
You can also browse our Best sellers if you want to see the most popular options.
Best photo examples
Here are the types of photos that usually work best:
Great photo choice
A bright, clear photo where your pet is sitting or standing, looking toward the camera, with the face and body visible.
Acceptable photo choice
A photo with some background distractions, accessories, or a slightly angled pose, but the pet is still clearly visible.
Not ideal photo choice
A photo that is very blurry, dark, far away, or where the face is blocked.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of photo is best for a custom pet portrait?
The best photo is clear, well-lit, and shows your pet’s face and body. A front-facing photo taken at eye level usually works best, especially if your pet is sitting or standing naturally.
Can I upload more than one photo?
Yes. If you are unsure which photo is best, you can upload multiple photos. We will use the image that gives the artist the best reference for your portrait.
Does the background matter?
No, the original background does not need to be perfect. Only your pet is illustrated, and the final artwork uses the background color you choose when personalizing your portrait.
Can my pet wear a collar or accessory?
Yes, accessories are okay as long as your pet is still clearly visible. For the cleanest result, photos without accessories are usually best, but collars, bandanas, toys, and blankets can often work.
What happens if my photo is unusable?
If the photo cannot be used, we will contact you by email and ask for a different one. You do not need a professional photo, but your pet should be clear enough for the artist to see important details.
Can you combine separate pet and owner photos?
Yes. For pet and owner portraits, you can upload separate photos of the pet and owner, and our artists can combine them into one artwork. You can also upload a photo where both are already together.
Will I see the artwork before it is printed?
Yes. We send a proof within 48 hours, or within 24 hours if you purchase priority review. Unlimited revisions are included, and production begins after approval.
Final tip
Choose the photo that feels most like your pet.
A technically perfect photo is helpful, but personality matters too. If your favorite picture captures their happy face, gentle eyes, funny pose, or calm little expression, that may be the right one to use.
When you’re ready, you can create your custom watercolor pet portrait, order a meaningful pet and owner portrait, or browse the Paws & Keeps best sellers.
