Tips on Photographing your Subject
 

The Best Time to Take your Photographs, and Where

If possible, try to photograph your subject outside in good natural daylight, avoiding very bright and direct sunlight, which will cast deep shadows, and which can also affect the true colour of skin, hair/fur. Obviously, the time of year you take your photographs may need to be taken into consideration.  In the winter months light levels are very poor, so do what you can with the amount of light available to you, but be aware that late winter sunny afternoons cast a lot of shade.  In most instances, I find that mid morning to early afternoon is usually the best time.  Indoor flash photography can also change the natural colouring, and you may also get the 'red-eye’ effect, which totally distorts the colour of the eyes.  It is possible for me to work with several photographs, such as a mix of indoor and outdoor shots, especially if you have a particular pose that you like in one photograph, and the right colouring in another. 
 

Getting your Subject to Pose

Unless you have already decided on a favourite pose I would suggest taking photographs on the same level, rather than pointing the camera down at your subject, otherwise you may get a distorted view of them straining to look up at you.  For portraits of dogs, I have found that seating them in the back of the vehicle they are used to travelling in with the back hatch up seems to work very well (click here for examples), as long as the light levels are good enough – they are on your level and they are usually more relaxed because they are in their own territory. 

When taking your photographs try to think of the pose that will best capture the character of your subject, and is the most appealing – do you want your subject to smile, laugh, or in the case of a pet have their tongue lolling, or ears pricked up rather than flat to their head, etc?  I find that a pose slightly to the side rather than completely facing you can be more flattering (click here for examples).  For any animal or small child you are photographing, you may find you will need extra help to keep their attention.  Using a tripod for some of the photographs will also help to keep your hand steady – blurred photographs will unfortunately be of no use to me.
 

(Click here to view a selection of finished portraits with original photographs. Close-ups with the subject filling the frame will enable me to create a more detailed likeness)

Number of Photographs Required

Try to take as many good, clear photographs as possible in a number of different poses, but particularly in the pose that you would like the finished portrait to look like.  If possible, take several close-up shots of the subject’s face, with the face filling the frame, showing details of the eyes, complexion, hair/fur, whiskers etc.  If you possess a digital camera (I wouldn’t be without mine) you can take lots of photos, view them immediately and delete the ones you don’t like, without wasting film. 

If you are sending digital images to me via e-mail, please make sure they are of the highest resolution - I can then discuss with you which I feel will best translate into a portrait.  Please then have these images printed on photo quality paper (preferably at least 7" x 5" size), or printed by a photo printing company (I recommend www.photobox.co.uk).  You can then send these photos to me with your completed Order Form.

Working from your Existing Photographs

You may already have photographs that you are happy with, and as long as they meet the requirements above, then I can certainly use these.  Or perhaps you have unfortunately lost your beloved pet or family member and only have a few photographs to remind you of them.  In which case I will certainly try to work with these.  If these are the only copies you have, I would recommend having copies made in case they are lost in the post.

If you are still not quite sure about the type of photographs I might need, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  All your photographs will be carefully looked after and returned safely to you with your finished portrait, plus any that I may have taken for you, if applicable.
 

I can take Photographs for you

If you are able and willing to travel to me to have photographs taken, this can be a big advantage and will save you any worry you might have about the type of photographs required.  It is also a great opportunity for me to meet you, the customer, and the subject I am to paint, and to make any notes to help me further.  As soon as I have taken the photographs, I can download them straight onto the PC and you are able to view them on the screen and choose which you would like to keep.  A number of my previous customers have done this, and were very pleased with the final result.  This service is free, although a nominal charge will be made for any photographs printed to cover the developing costs.  If you require me to travel to you, there may be a charge for travelling expenses.

Some people prefer to have professional photographs taken, in which case you will need to ask the photographer for copyright permission before you send them to me.

© Copyright Nicky Jones, Pet and Animal Portrait Artist 1996-2008.  All artwork on this site is protected

by copyright law and may not be copied, downloaded or used without permission from the artist.

57 Selwyn Crescent, Radley, Oxon, UK   Tel (01235) 529895

nicky@faithfulfriendsportraits.co.uk