Reference Photo Tips

Equine and pet portrait artist specialising in miniature and small format art. Now taking commissions!

Please read on for my reference photo tips!

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Reference Photo Tips for Commissions

For me to be able to produce the best possible drawing, I need a clear, well lit and high quality reference photograph to work from.

Perhaps my best tip is to remember that I do not know your horse/pet. Likely I have never even seen them! So choose a photo of them that you like, that sums them up both in character and looks.

If you are unsure if your photo is suitable then please feel free to send it to me before ordering to check and I can advise – or if you send me multiple photos I can choose the best one.

Take at animal eye level

Show your pets personality

Eye detail is clear

Natural soft lightening

High quality / resolution

Subject fills the frame

More photo tips

Getting the best angle when taking a photo

For horses, a three quarter profile works best (side on is also fine, but will not show markings on the front of the face). This is often the most flattering angle as well as allowing your horse’s individual markings to be shown. Front-on photos generally do not work well – except in the rarest of cases, even the most handsome horse ends up looking like a donkey from this angle!

For all animals, try to take the photo from their eye level – this ensures they do not end up looking distorted when drawn.

Using a smartphone to take a high quality photo

Modern smartphones are able to take photos in suitably high resolution – try to get close to the animal rather than relying on the zoom and check the photo does not get compressed and lose quality on sending! Original photos are always best but I can and have worked from poorer quality e.g. Facebook screenshots in the past, especially when photo options are limited such as for a pet who has passed away. Please do remember though, the clearer the photo, the better the drawing!

Capturing the unique colour of your pet

The best weather to take an outdoor photo

Outdoor photos are best, but try to avoid taking photos on very sunny days – such harsh lighting often distorts natural colours, as well as creating difficult highlights and deep shadowed areas. A bright but cloudy day is often best. It’s also best to avoid using a flash, as it distorts colours as well as often causing ‘red eye’! Indoor or outdoor, the background does not matter if the animal itself is clear.

Permission to use professional photos

One final note – if you did not take the photo yourself, you MUST have (written) permission from whoever did take it for me to be able to use it as a reference. Note that this particularly applies to professional photos you may have purchased! Most photographers are happy to allow their photos to be used as an art reference, so just check with them to confirm before sending me your photo – I will always credit pro photographers if their photos are used.

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Reference Photo Tips

Reference Photo Tips for Commissions

Take at animal eye level

Show your pets personality

Eye detail is clear

Natural soft lightening

High quality / resolution

Subject fills the frame

More photo tips

Get in touch

Book A Commission

Shop All Products

My Story

Reference Photo Tips

Reference Photo Tips for Commissions

Take at animal eye level

Show your pets personality

Eye detail is clear

Natural soft lightening

High quality / resolution

Subject fills the frame

More photo tips

Get in touch

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Reference Photo Tips