How to Pick the Right Photo for a Custom Pet Portrait Gift
The photo you choose makes or breaks a custom pet portrait. A great photo gives an artist, a printer or a laser everything they need. A blurry one leaves them guessing. Here's how to pick the right one.
What makes a good portrait photo
- The face is clear and in focus. Eyes, nose and ears should be sharp. Zoom in on your phone to check.
- Good, even light. Daylight near a window or outdoors in the shade works best. Avoid flash and harsh midday sun.
- The pet fills the frame. A close photo works better than a tiny pet in a big landscape.
- A simple background. A plain wall, grass or a sofa keeps the focus on your pet.
- Eye level. Photos taken at your pet's height look more natural than ones taken from above.
- Their real personality. The head tilt, the ear that never stands up, the sideways look: those details make it theirs.
Photos to avoid
- Dark or night photos, or photos with red-eye from the flash
- Heavy filters that change colors or blur details
- Screenshots of screenshots, which lose sharpness each time
- Photos where a toy, hand or another pet covers part of the face
Black, white and fluffy pets
Very dark or very light coats can lose detail. For black pets, choose a photo in bright, soft light so the eyes and face shape show. For white or fluffy pets, avoid overexposed photos where the fur turns into a bright blob.
Don't have a perfect photo?
That's common, especially for pet memorial gifts. Send the best few photos you have. A good maker will tell you which one works best and can often combine details, like the face from one photo and the pose from another.
How we use your photo
For our pet portrait rummy tiles, we turn your photo into a fine line portrait and engrave it on all 106 tiles. You can add your pet's name above or below. If you'd like to see it first, just ask after ordering and we'll send a proof.
Questions about your photo? Email it to sales@antochia.com and we'll tell you how it will look.