5 Tips to Take the Perfect Reference Photos for Your Custom Pet Portrait

Prioritize natural, soft light Skip the harsh flash and dark indoor lighting! Natural daylight (near a window, or outside on an overcast day) is the best way to show your pet’s true coat color, texture, and facial details. Harsh light can wash out their features or create unflattering shadows, while soft light lets every detail shine.

Get on their level Photos taken from above can distort your pet’s face and proportions. Crouch down, sit on the floor, or get eye-level with your fur baby—this lets us see their face exactly as it is, and capture the unique shape of their muzzle, the size of their ears, and that iconic look in their eyes.

Capture their signature expression We don’t just want a generic photo of your pet—we want them. Snap photos of their goofy smile, their sleepy squint, their proud, alert gaze. The photos that show their unique personality are the ones that will make your finished portrait feel truly like your fur baby.

Don’t forget the tiny details Have a pet with a unique white patch on their chest? A little scar on their nose? A tuft of fur that sticks up just so? Snap close-up photos of these tiny, one-of-a-kind details! These are the things that make your pet unique, and we’ll weave every single one into your custom piece.

Take more photos than you think you need 2-3 photos are rarely enough! Send us 5-10 shots from different angles, in different lighting, and in different moods. The more we see of your pet, the more accurately we can bring them to life in wool. And don’t worry—after you place your order, our team will reach out within 24 hours to confirm your photos meet our requirements, and help you fill in any gaps.