How to Choose the Best Photos for Your Portrait Commission

A complete guide to pose, lighting, image quality, and how to order your custom portrait.

Creating a hand‑drawn portrait from your photos is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. A great portrait should feel like a real moment captured in time — something that shows personality, expression, and character, not just a likeness. And the best way to achieve that is with the right photo.

This guide will help you choose the perfect reference image and walk you through the full commissioning process, step by step. You can also browse my recent work here:
Portrait Portfolio

Choosing the Perfect Pose & Composition

The pose is the foundation of a successful portrait. I always recommend choosing a photo that feels authentic — something that shows your pet or loved one exactly as you know them.

What Makes a Great Portrait Reference Photo

Clear eyes: Open, bright, and catching natural light if possible.
A natural expression: A photo where you instantly think, “That’s them.”
Good posture: For pets, sitting or standing naturally works best.
Minimal distraction: The subject should be the clear focus of the image.

Shoot at Eye Level

This is one of the biggest secrets to strong portrait photography.
For pets and children, try kneeling or lying on the floor to match their level. For pets, holding a toy or treat slightly above the lens helps keep their attention where you want it.

Get Close — But Not Too Close

Avoid having a nose pressed up against the lens, as this can distort proportions.
A distance of around 2 metres (6ft) usually gives the best balance of closeness and clarity.

Best Size for a Portrait (What to Choose & Why)

Lighting & Image Quality

The better the photo, the more detail I can capture in your portrait.

Aim for High‑Resolution Images

As a guideline:

3MB+ file size is ideal
Sharp focus
Natural detail in fur, eyes, and shading

Use Natural Light

The best photos are usually taken:

Outdoors in open shade
Or indoors near a window with soft daylight

Avoid harsh direct sunlight, heavy backlighting, or very dim rooms. If you’re not sure whether your photo will work at the size you want, send it over — I’m happy to advise:
Contact Me

Order & Submit Photos

Should You Use a Phone or Camera?

You can get great photos from either — but they behave differently.

Dedicated Cameras

✔ Sharper detail
✔ Faster shutter speeds
✔ Better in low light
✔ Less motion blur

Mobile Phones

If you’re using a phone, remember:

Shoot in good daylight
Don’t use digital zoom (it crushes quality)
Keep the lens clean
Take multiple shots

Tips for Photographing Pets (From Real Sessions)

Over the years, I’ve worked with all sorts of pets, from calm seniors to chaotic puppies. These are the key tricks that make a big difference:

Use a well‑lit indoor spot near a bright window if outdoors is too distracting.
Be patient — wait for the calmer moment or break the session into shorter attempts.
Get an assistant to help with sit–stay or to hold a toy just off‑camera.
Use sounds (squeaks/whistles) to spark that perfect head tilt.
Shoot at eye level — a sofa or safe raised surface can really help.

Photo Tips for the Best Portrait Results

This is the general photo advice section that replaces the old “photo tips” post. If you’re taking new reference photos:
- Face the light: Indoors, place your subject near a bright window and have them face the light. Outdoors, use open shade for soft, even results.
- Avoid digital zoom: Step closer instead to keep quality high.
- Shoot multiples: Expression changes in a heartbeat — take a burst and pick the most “them” shot.
- Mind the background: Clean, simple backgrounds help me keep the focus on your subject.
- File quality matters: Aim for 3MB+ or high‑res camera files so I can achieve fine detail at your chosen size.
If you’re unsure whether a photo will work for the size you want (e.g., A3 head & shoulders vs A2 full body), send it over and I’ll advise before you commit.

Why Some Quirky Photos (Especially With Pets) Are Wonderful

always tell clients: don’t underestimate the charm of quirky photos. Some of my favorite portraits—and often the ones that end up feeling the most alive—come from images that aren’t traditionally perfect.

Maybe it’s a dog mid-zoomie.
Maybe the cat is slightly cross‑eyed.
Maybe the photo has goofy timing, funny expressions, or that beautiful chaos pets bring into our lives.

Those moments are gold.

Quirky photos often capture the real relationship between a person and their pet. They’re authentic, sweet, and full of character—and that translates into portraits that feel intimate and joyful. When a reference photo has personality, it gives me more to work with creatively. I can polish and refine the final artwork, but the spark—the story—comes from those wonderfully imperfect moments. But only we together can make the assumption if they are suitable or not.

Choosing Your Portrait Size

If you want a very detailed portrait, the right size makes all the difference.

My Recommended Sizes

A4 — Small, ideal for one simple headshot
10×13 — More detail, great for 1–2 subjects
A3 — Most versatile; best for highly detailed head & shoulders
A2 — Best for full‑body detail or multiple subjects

You can review sizes, formats and pricing here:
👉 Price List & What Size Is Best For Me.

Good Photos vs Bad Photos: What Makes the Difference

Before choosing a final reference image, it’s incredibly helpful to see real examples of what works — and what doesn’t. Even small details like lighting, angle, or sharpness can make a huge difference to the finished portrait. Below, I’ve put together a simple side‑by‑side gallery showing strong reference photos versus photos that are likely to reduce detail or clarity in the artwork.

Good Photos

Bad Photos

Final Thoughts

Not Sure Which Photo to Use?

Send me a few options — recent, older, colour or black‑and‑white — and I’ll help you choose the best fit for the style and size you want. There’s no obligation and advice is always free.
👉 Get Advice