A custom pet portrait is one of the most personal gifts you can give. It captures a dog, cat or horse that someone loves, and it ends up somewhere they see every day. The photo you start with makes the biggest difference to how it turns out. This guide walks through how to choose or take a photo that makes a great portrait, what happens after you order, and how to decide between framed and digital.
What makes a good photo for a pet portrait
You do not need a professional camera. A recent phone is more than enough. What matters is light, angle, sharpness and keeping the focus on one animal.
Use soft, natural light
Daylight is your best friend. Try photographing your pet near a large window, on a verandah, or outside in open shade. Bright overcast days are ideal because the light is even and there are no harsh shadows.
- Avoid using the flash. It can cause glowing eyes and flattens the texture of fur.
- Avoid strong midday sun, which creates deep shadows under the eyes and chin and can wash out pale coats.
- Avoid shooting with a bright window or the sky directly behind your pet. The camera exposes for the bright background and your pet ends up as a dark shape.
- Dark-coated dogs and cats need a little more light than you might expect, so their features do not disappear into shadow.
- White or very pale pets can lose detail in bright sun, so open shade usually works better.
Get down to their eye level
Most of us photograph pets from standing height, looking down. That makes the head look large, the body small, and the expression a little less natural. Instead, crouch, sit or lie down so your phone is level with their eyes. For a horse, step back a little and hold the camera around the height of its head rather than shooting from below. A straight-on or slight three-quarter angle usually gives the most recognisable likeness.
Make sure the eyes are sharp
The eyes are what bring a portrait to life, so they need to be in focus. On most phones you can tap the screen on your pet's eyes to set the focus point.
- Hold the phone steady with both hands, or brace your elbows on your knees.
- Use burst mode or take lots of photos, then pick the sharpest one.
- Move closer rather than using digital zoom, which reduces detail.
- Zoom in on the photo afterwards and check whether you can see individual hairs and a clear catchlight in the eyes.
One pet per photo
Each portrait features one pet, so choose a photo where your pet is the clear subject. If two animals are cuddled together and overlapping, it is hard to separate them cleanly. If you would like both pets on the wall, a nice option is to order a portrait of each and hang them side by side as a pair.
Show the whole head, and a bit more
Make sure ears, whiskers and the top of the head are not cropped off at the edge of the frame. If you love the way your dog sits or the way your horse holds its head, include the shoulders or more of the body too. It is always easier to work with a photo that has a little extra space around the pet than one that is cut too tight.
Capture their personality
A portrait should look like your pet, not just any dog or cat of the same breed. Think about the expression you see most often. To catch an alert, engaged look, try holding a treat or a squeaky toy just above the camera lens, or have someone stand behind you and call their name. Ears forward and a slight head tilt often make a lovely portrait.
A quick photo checklist
- Taken in soft daylight, without flash
- Camera at your pet's eye level
- Eyes in sharp focus
- Only one pet as the subject
- Ears and head fully in the frame
- Original file, not a screenshot or a version saved from social media
- No filters or heavy edits, so coat and eye colours stay true
That last point about the original file is easy to miss. Photos sent through messaging apps or downloaded from social media are usually compressed, which strips out fine detail. If you can, send the photo straight from the phone or camera that took it.
Tips for pets who will not sit still
Puppies, young cats and energetic dogs rarely pose on cue. A few things help.
- Try after a walk or play session, when they are a bit calmer.
- Ask a helper to hold a treat or toy just behind your phone.
- Keep sessions short and fun, and take plenty of shots.
Choosing a photo of a pet who has passed
A portrait can be a gentle way to remember a much-loved companion. In this case you work with the photos you already have. Look through your camera roll and old albums for the clearest image where their face is visible and well lit, and send the original file if possible. Choose the photo that feels most like them. The proof step means you will see how the portrait looks before anything is printed.
What happens after you order
Once you place your order for a custom pet portrait, you provide your photo and the portrait is created from it. Before anything is printed, a proof is sent to you for approval. This is your chance to check the likeness and make sure you are happy. Only once you approve the proof does the portrait move ahead, either as a digital file or to be printed and framed.
Framed or digital: which should you choose?
Both options start from the same portrait. The difference is in what arrives.
Digital portrait, A$69
- A good choice if you want flexibility, such as printing it yourself later or using it as a phone wallpaper.
- Easy to share with family members who also loved the pet.
- Useful as a last-minute gift. At Christmas, digital portraits can be ordered until 20 December.
Framed portrait, from A$179
- Arrives in a natural timber frame on premium matte paper, ready to hang.
- Printed and framed in Australia by our production partner, with free delivery Australia-wide.
- The better choice for a gift, because it can go straight onto the wall with no extra steps.
- For Christmas delivery, order framed items by Thursday 10 December.
Where to hang a pet portrait
Pet portraits work well in the spaces where the pet spends time with the family. A hallway or entry is a warm welcome home, and our entryway and office art ideas show how a single piece can lift a small wall or desk area. In a living area, browse our living room art for soft, natural pieces to group with a portrait.
Giving a pet portrait as a surprise
If the portrait is a gift, getting a good photo without giving the game away can be tricky. Ask a family member or housemate to send you a few recent originals, or look for a clear photo that the owner has shared with you directly. If you cannot get a suitable photo, a gift card is a thoughtful alternative. It is emailed instantly and never expires, so they can choose their favourite photo and order the portrait themselves. You will find more ideas in our Christmas gift collection.
A great pet portrait starts with a simple, honest photo taken in good light, at eye level, with sharp eyes and one pet in the frame. Take a little time to get that right, and the finished piece will be something the owner treasures for years.