When taking your pet’s photo outdoors, it is best to work with natural light. Have your pet face the sun: this reduces unwanted shadows in the photo.

Cloudy day? No problem, overcast days are the best as they guarantee even lighting.

Taking a photo indoors? Find a source of natural light (e.g. window) which will be reflected in your pet’s eyes.

⚠️Avoid harsh, direct light. It’s also worth noting that midday sun is usually quite unflattering, and golden hour light could alter the true colors of your pet’s fur or eyes.

Because animals are closer to the ground than we are, it is always a good idea to get down to your pet’s level.

Moreover, you might want to think about the face angle: do you prefer the front, profile, or ¾ view for your portrait?

If your pet won’t stay still, you could try using treats or toys to capture their attention.

Eyes are said to be a mirror to the soul.

Whether you’re taking the picture indoors or outdoors, you ought to make sure the light source (sun, window, etc.) reflects in your pet’s eyes. Without these reflections, eyes tend to look flat: that’s why capturing them in a photo is the key to making your commissioned portrait come to life.

The more details I can see, the better. Hence, it’s very important to make sure your pet’s nose is in focus. Don’t hesitate to take multiple pictures and email them to me.