Your photograph is the foundation of my drawing.
How to Choose or Take an ideal portrait photograph
Even if you already have a favourite picture of your dog, it will be useful to take more so we can select an especially strong one for me to work from.
We are looking for at least 5 images that really tick these boxes:
Capture your dog’s character
Have a glint of light in the eyes. The eyes are the focus in my drawings.
Natural light is always best.
In focus (even when enlarged)
Ideally taken at eye level with the dog rather than looking down
Include the ears. Dogs ears are so emotional and express so much.
No tongues (just as with humans they always look odd in drawings)
Most importantly it’s the expression that counts. The tilt of the face, the cocked ear, raised brow, an attentive or resting look in their eyes
How to Choose or Take an ideal portrait photograph
Taking a good photo
Set your phone to silent, dogs know the sound!
Give yourself time to relax and connect naturally with your dog. Assume that it might take more than one session to capture ‘a look’ you love.
Daylight is best, and it’s important their eyes are well lit. It’s the detail in the eyes that give life to my drawings.
Use a camera, or a high resolution phone camera (min 1MB per image file).
Take 20-50 shots and then delete all the blurred, blinked and odd-looking ones.
Make sure you include their entire head, ears too. (I can crop wide-framed shots afterwards).
Get down to their eye level. Try being as candid as you can (turn off the phone camera click sound). Or try being playful, chatter casually to your dog to put them at ease (especially if your dog tends to flatten back it’s ears and look more like a big eyed seal when awaiting instructions). Encourage them to respond naturally to you.
Be patient, it’s worth it.
What We Offer
Basic Service
The Atlas Project →
IncludedInitial Consultation
Brainstorming Session
Collaborative Planning
Customized Deliverables
Multiple Feedback Rounds
Actionable Recommendations
Post-Project Support
Intermediate Service
The Echo Project →
IncludedInitial Consultation
Brainstorming Session
Collaborative Planning
Customized Deliverables
Multiple Feedback Rounds
Actionable Recommendations
Post-Project Support
Advanced Service
The Brightline Project →
IncludedInitial Consultation
Brainstorming Session
Collaborative Planning
Customized Deliverables
Multiple Feedback Rounds
Actionable Recommendations
Post-Project Support
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– Former Customer
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