A great portrait starts with a great photo. You don't need a professional camera. Your phone is perfect. Here's what helps us capture your pet just right.
What works best
- A clear, front-facing face. Both eyes, the nose, and the ears in view. This matters more than anything else.
- Sharp focus. Tap your pet's face on your screen to focus before you take the photo.
- Natural light. Daylight near a window or outside in open shade. Avoid harsh flash and dark rooms.
- Get close. Your pet should fill a good part of the photo. Crouch to their eye level.
- The real colors. Skip filters and heavy editing so we can match their true fur and eye color.
- Their special markings. If they have a unique patch, two different eye colors, or one floppy ear, choose a photo that shows it.
- Full resolution. Upload the original photo, not a screenshot or a photo sent through a messaging app, which can shrink it.
Photos that won't work well
- Blurry or dark photos
- Your pet seen from behind or from the side with the face hidden
- Pets that are tiny or far away in the photo
- A face covered by a toy, a hand, or a blanket
If we can't make a portrait you'll love from your photo, we'll email you and ask for another before we start.
More than one pet?
Add one "Add Another Pet" for each extra pet. Send one photo with everyone's face visible, or a separate clear photo of each pet. Both work. We'll paint them side by side in one portrait.
A pet who has passed
We're so sorry. Older or lower-quality photos can still work. Send the clearest one you have, and add a note about their markings or eye color. We'll do our best and tell you honestly what to expect before we begin.
Not sure? Email your photo to hello@velvetruff.com and we'll take a look.