| It is important that the
photographs you send me to work from are clear as, quite simply, I can
only draw what I see. It is therefore worthwhile and time well spent
getting the best photographs you can - the better the photograph, the
better the portrait. For this reason I have put together a few tips that I hope you will find useful when taking photographs of your pet. I am aware this is not always possible, especially if your pet is no longer with you, and would in such cases ask you to send them to me as I may still be able to work with them. Avoid camera flash and direct sunlight as both can alter your pet's true colouring and shading making them look either washed out, too bright or with harsh shadows. Ideally take photographs of your pet outside in natural daylight - preferably mid morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its brightest. If you have to photograph your pet indoors try doing this near to a window to allow for some natural light. Avoid taking photographs while looking down at your pet. This can distort your pets head and would look strange in a portrait. Always take photographs while at your pet's eye level. Fill the frame with your pet - think more pet, less background! Get close-up photographs of your pets head where his/her face, particularly the eyes and nose, are clear to see. Make sure though that you do not cut off parts of your pet in the picture. If you are looking to have a full body shot ensure his ears, tail, legs etc. are within the frame. Have toys and treats on hand. Animals are unpredictable and may not want to pose for a photograph preferring instead to run about. Have treats on hand or a friend standing behind you squeaking a toy to try and distract them and keep their attention. Finally, take as many pictures as you can. I work from one main photograph but like to have others to refer to. Below is a good example of a photograph I took while at a dog show in Kelso. The photo is sharp and in focus, taken at the dogs eye level and show the eyes clearly (very important).
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