Photograph Guidance for Portrait Commissions
The detail of the final portrait is directly related to the quality and focus of the photographs you send.
Extra photos are also suggested as they can serve as a reference for colouring, details, and personality, especially when the primary picture is old or blurry or has red-eye problems, etc. Subjects, features, or backgrounds can be combined from separate photographs, and elements such as collars and leashes can be omitted.
The clearer your photo, the more accurate your portrait will be. If your photo is blurry or the subject is very small in the photo, I will have to do a lot of guesswork on the detail, and your portrait won't be as accurate as it could be.
I understand that sometimes the picture you really want to be drawn can be low quality, I can still try my best to work it out.
![[ Finished pet portrait in three quarter view ]](images/tip_1.jpg)
If you can take a new photograph of the subject specifically for portrait purposes then a three quarter view will always look better than a straight on view as in the example here. Try and fill the frame with the subject.
Get your sitter to look slightly away from the camera, over your shoulder, and then look back at the camera without moving their head.
In the case of an animal, try and get them to look slightly away from the camera, you may need someone to act as a decoy, standing behind you and to one side, who will grab the animals attention.
![[ Photographic portrait of a young boy ]](images/daniel.jpg)