PHOTO GUIDE
Here are some quick tips on things to consider when taking photo references for your portrait commission.
Lighting
Try to photograph your subject in natural light without using a flash. This should stop red eye being an issue as I would not be able to draw accurate eyes if this happens. Avoid blaring sunlight as this creates false highlights and cast shadows which changes the colourings of your subject. Natural light away from direct sunlight is perfect for pet portraits. Check that your photo shows true likeness of your subject. Do the colours look correct? Can you pick out details that make your subject unique? Remember, I can only draw what I see.
Distance
Take your photo at the same level as your subject. If you are looking down then things may become out of proportion. Make sure that you frame your photo so that nothing is out of the frame. If you are looking for a bust or headshot portrait then you only need to take a photo of this, but a full body photo missing an entire paw tends to look odd when drawn on paper. Some subject may be difficult to keep still but perseverance will pay off for your portrait.
focus
Taking a photo from an odd angle can not only effect proportions but bluriness aswell. Get down to the subjects level and take your time to snap some beautiful shots. If your subject is running or flying around this will also create a focus problem. It may take some time but it will be worth it to spend some time getting the perfect photos.
Wild Familiars
Familiars may not be domesticated and living with you. For these there is some slightly different advice. For a wild familiar who visit, you may still be able to get some photographs or have someone take them for you. Just let me know that these images are owned by you and I can use them the same as any other. If your familiar is too wild to photograph or is a dream or concept familiar then you may be unable to gather references that are owned by you. For these I will need as much reference material as possible. You have likely gathered these materials already. Please be advised that your references can only be used as such as they belong to someone else. I will therefore compile into an original drawing using your references for key details of your familiar, but I will not be able to draw directly from a photographed that is not owned by you.
Memorial
Sadly, not all of the portraits I create are from pets or familiars that are still with us. I understand that photos cannot be collected and so instead we will look together to find the best photo references that already exist. Here it is important to send me many photos if you have them so that I can work from all of them for colourings and markings. I can also advise on composition if we are having trouble with framing.