When we take on a pet we take on the resposibility of looking after them and caring for them and over time they become an important part of our life. Over the years we collect so many of those photos of them doing all those things that make them so unique. At some point though we need more than just a happy snap that gets put into a drawer, never to be seen again. This is where a pet portrait artist can make a big difference, for they can take what is to most people a very humble photo, and create a work of art. There is more to a pet portrait than simply the physical appearance, a good one will capture those small details that will show their character as well. This then becomes much more than just a picture, it is a reminder of the pet you know and love and, properly framed, can become a very personal focal point to any room.

You will need to do a bit of research to find the artist that suits you best. The internet lists many artists, many of which use different styles and techniques. It is best to have in mind the type of medium you prefer. Most artists tend to specialise in the medium that suits them best. The most common choices are, oils, pastels, water colour, pencils and acrylics. Take some time to have a look around the web sites of artists using the different media, you’ll get a good idea on the styles used and whether it suits what you have in mind. Plus, make sure you visit their gallery pages, you’ll always get the best pictures on a home page, by visiting the gallery page you will get a better idea about whether the quality of work is consistent.

Once you have selected the artist you prefer you need to choose the photos for them to work from. When choosing the photos make sure they show a lot of detail, avoid photos that are bleached out due to the flash or strong sunlight, out of focus or where the subject is too far away to see clearly. Always remember that your dogs characteristics are in the small details and this is what the artist needs to get the best out of the portrait. It is always best to avoid “static” front-on shots, as these can lack interest, better to choose one that shows an activity that your pet enjoys or use an image where the shot has been taken at “dog level”, rather than from your point of view. If you already have a photo with an ideal shot of your pet but the wrong background, most artists will be able to incorporate a different background. If there is a place where your dog enjoyed playing, you can supply this as a separate photo for the artist to use as a reference. Supplying more than one photo is always a good idea, the more information the artist has to work from the easier it is for them to create the portrait that will show your pet off in the best possible way..