The best paintings come from the best photographs. Click to see one.

Ideally, they should have well balanced lighting enabling me to see the features in detail. A pose with a three-quarters view often works well. Please supply at least one good photograph – more if possible –  and to let me know if you’d like them returned. Please note, although they’ll be well looked after, I cannot accept responsibility if they get damaged or go missing, so it’s not advisable to send originals. Email attachments are a good option. If they’re not good enough for use as reference, I’ll let you know.

Here’s some tips to help you take good ones:

• Go outside, as this can be a good way of getting balanced lighting – but try and avoid direct sunlight in the middle of the day
• If you have a lively animal, have someone hold it still by the collar or bridle, or with hands placed on the animal’s shoulders – but please be careful not to obscure any features or details
• Get down to the animal’s eye level
• Avoid the use of flash unless you have a separate flash gun and know how to use it effectively
• Show a dark animal against a lighter background – or vice versa – so I can make out its shape
• Use a zoom lens if you have one and fill the frame, otherwise don’t get too close with your camera or you may have your animal painted with a big nose!
• Show as much detail of the features as possible
• If your animal is camera-shy and keeps looking down, use a surprise distraction such as a whistle or toy to get it to look up
• Take several pictures from different angles if you can

So get snapping and send me your photos!

Still having trouble?

I can take the photos for you if you can bring your animal to a show where I’m exhibiting, but see my blog, but contact me first to make sure I’m going have my camera equipment with me. I could take them at your home but would need to charge extra to cover expenses.