Tips For Photographing Your Pet

• In order to create a quality portrait of your pet I will need to have good
  pictures. The better the photographs, the better the painting. 
• The following hints may be helpful to you.
• Use 200-400 speed film or faster to stop motion. Shoot several pictures. I would
  suggest at least a full roll.
• Get close-ups of your pet. Try to fill the frame with the subject, not the
  scenery. (see example 1) (see example 2)
• You may need to have somebody calm or restrain your pet. It is difficult to get a
  good picture if your pet is roaming around.
• In bright sunlight you may want to use a flash to lighten shadows. The best
  lighting would be outdoors in hazy sun, however, you may want to try a
  variety of lighting arrangements.
• Photograph animals outside on a bright or hazy, overcast day - this light is
  ideal for taking a good picture. If this is not possible, try taking the
  photographs inside near a window or door on a bright day. Be sure to have
  your back towards the window with the animal facing towards its natural light.
• Try to avoid using a flash since it can cause red eyes and alter the animal's
  true coloring.
• Taking photographs at the animal's eye level is very helpful for creating a
  good portrait. Do not shoot the photo down on your pet from above.
• A couple of close up shots of the animal's face are important to help get a
  more accurate depiction of their expression and eyes.  Don't be afraid to move
  to your camera's minimum focus distance.
• Use your pet's toys or treats to help get their attention for photographs -
  another person standing behind you can be helpful for this.
• If you are photographing multiple animals for a single portrait, try to get a
  few good individual pictures of each one - these can then be used to create a
  single finished portrait of them.

Again let me repeat the following statement:

The better the photographs, the better the painting.