How to Choose the Perfect Photo for Your Portrait Painting

Why Your Photo Matters More Than You Think

The reference photo is the single most important factor in how your custom portrait turns out. A great photo gives our artists the detail, lighting, and emotion they need to create something truly special. A poor photo limits what's possible — no matter how talented the artist.

The good news? You don't need professional photography equipment. A modern smartphone and good natural light are all you need.

---

The 8 Rules for a Perfect Reference Photo

1. Lighting Is Everything

Natural, diffused light is the gold standard. Photograph your subject near a large window or outdoors on an overcast day. Avoid direct sunlight (creates harsh shadows) and never use camera flash (flattens features and creates red-eye).

2. Resolution Matters

Higher resolution means more detail for our artists. Aim for at least 1 megapixel (1000×1000 pixels). Most smartphones exceed this by default, but avoid sending heavily cropped or screenshot versions of your photos.

3. Sharp Focus on the Eyes

The eyes are the soul of every portrait. Whether human or animal, ensure the eyes are tack-sharp. A slightly soft body or background is perfectly fine — but blurry eyes will affect the entire painting's impact.

4. Authentic Expression

The best portraits capture genuine moments. A natural laugh, a contemplative gaze, a playful smirk — these are what make a portrait come alive. Avoid forced smiles or overly posed positions.

5. Eye-Level Perspective

Shoot at the subject's eye level for the most flattering and engaging angle. This is especially important for children and pets — get down to their height rather than shooting from above.

6. Simple Backgrounds

A clean, uncluttered background keeps the focus on your subject. But don't stress about this too much — our artists can paint any background you'd like, from a plain studio backdrop to a scenic landscape.

7. Avoid Heavy Filters

Instagram filters, beauty modes, and HDR effects alter skin tones, contrast, and detail. Always submit the original, unfiltered version of your photo. Our artists need accurate colours and natural textures.

8. Multiple Angles Help

If possible, send 2–3 photos of your subject from different angles. This gives our artists a complete understanding of the person's features and helps them create a more three-dimensional portrait.

---

Common Photo Mistakes to Avoid

• Group photos where faces are tiny — each face should fill a good portion of the frame
• Screenshots from social media — these are heavily compressed and lose detail
• Photos taken in darkness — even if your phone brightens them, the detail simply isn't there
• Old scanned photos at low resolution — if scanning, use at least 300 DPI

---

Don't Have the Perfect Shot?

We understand that sometimes the perfect photo doesn't exist — especially for memorial portraits or surprise gifts. Here's what you can do:

• Combine multiple photos — send several images and we'll composite the best elements
• Request background changes — we can place your subject in any setting
• Add or remove people — want to combine family members from different photos? We can do that

Our art consultants will review your submission and let you know exactly what's possible before any painting begins.

---

Start Your Portrait Today

Now that you know how to choose the perfect photo, you're ready to commission your custom portrait. Upload your photo and let our artists transform it into a masterpiece.