commission process

tips & Tricks

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

 

THE BETTER THE PHOTO, THE BETTER THE PAINTING.

My aim when producing your portrait is to create a painting that you can treasure for many years to come. One of the most important things in commissioning your portrait is making sure that I can work from A good photograph. The better the photo, the better the finished portrait!

QUALITY - The very first thing I look for is a photograph in focus, with your pet in a pleasing position.  This is especially important for your pet's key features such as their eyes and nose. Unfortunately, I am unable to work from blurry photos. A STRAIGHT-ON VIEW AND ON HIS EYE LEVEL IS OFTEN BEST.

IDEALLY, SEND MULTIPLE PHOTOS OF EACH PET. 3 TO 5 PHOTOS WILL HELP ME GET A BETTER IDEA OF THE PERSONALITY AND WILL GIVE ME CHOICES FROM MY ARTISTIC POINT OF VIEW.

fur color: SOMETIMES IN PHOTOGRAPHS, THE FUR COLOR DOES NOT LOOK THE SAME AS REAL LIFE. I NEED TO KNOW UP FRONT, HOW THE FUR COLOR NEEDS TO LOOK DIFFERENTLY FROM THE PHOTO(S).

*** See Commission Process for the ideal photo requirements *** (in a nutshell: I need (2-4) straight-on photos, at the pet’s eye level, good lighting, no tongue sticking out, no weird angles, not blurry). WITHOUT EXCELLENT PHOTOS AS DESCRIBED, I will not attempt to paint your pet and will refund your deposit. Camille reserves the right to decline a pet commission for any reason, at any time during the process.

Keep scrolling down for tips:

 
 

PHOTO DOS

  • Taking the dog on a short walk or playing fetch before starting photos can help calm him down. 

  • Have treats handy to keep him interested.

  • Squeaky toys can help get their attention.

  • Work quickly for short attention, or try again later.

  • Hold the camera at your chest level or lower than your face, so he won’t think you are taking his photo.

  • Get down on his level, sit on the ground if he’s small.

  • Have a friend help keep him engaged.  Or have the friend take pics while you interact

  • Try to get the light reflections in the eyes

  • Eyes, nose, fur detail will help the final painting

  • Early morning light or early evening light often work nicely

  • Cloudy days can work for nice lighting

  • Photograph on a sunny day, but in the shade.  

* Indoor pets can be photographed in a well-lit room by a window.
This works well for cats that like to bird-watch out a window.

 
 

PHOTO DON’TS

  • Don’t submit a blurry photo

  • do not submit a photo of the pet far away and does not zoom in clearly.

  • Don’t use flash. Green or Red eyes are caused by flash. 

  • Don’t shoot from too far away, details are lost.

  • Don’t shoot from odd angles

  • Do not present photos with tounge sticking out .. this does not translate well in my paintings..

  • Don’t shoot in dark lighting.

    1. Don’t hold your pet in the photo.

    2. If photographing in shade, make sure the shade is consistent and not splotchy.

    3. Don’t make your pet too sleepy. You want him to be attentive in your photo.