The Best Pet Photos for a Custom Keepsake and How to Take Them

The best photo is clear, well lit and taken face-on, with your pet's eyes and markings easy to see.

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Clay spaniel pin on a corduroy collar, with a round inset of the dog it was made from

What we look at in a photo

We work from what we can see, so a good photo answers the small questions about your pet before we begin.

The earsTheir shape and how they sit on the head.

The markingsWhere the patches, stripes and spots fall.

The coat and eyesThe color of the coat and the look of the eyes.

Good light keeps the color true

Soft daylight near a window is an easy place to start. It shows the real color of the coat and keeps the details in the face. Strong shadows and a very dark room can hide markings we need to see.

Works wellSoft daylight, with the face in the light.

Harder for usDeep shadow, or a dim room that blurs the fur.

Eye level and face-on

Get down to your pet's level and take the photo from the front. Face-on shots work best, because we can see both eyes and the markings together. A treat or a favorite toy held near the camera can help you catch the look.

BestFace-on, at eye level

Useful extraFrom the side or back, for markings

HarderFrom high above, or mostly turned away

Showing markings with an extra photo

If your pet has special markings, feel free to add an extra photo from the side or back when you order. That helps when the front view does not tell the whole story, such as a patch along the back.

FrontYour main photo, showing the face.

SideAdd it for markings along the body.

BackAdd it for a patch, saddle or stripe.

One pet per photo

We ask for one pet per photo. If your order has two or more pets, upload one photo for each pet, up to three photos. Our hand-drawn portrait can show one, two or three pets together, even when each pet comes from a different photo.

1 pet1 photo

2 pets2 photos

3 pets3 photos

Older photos of a pet who has passed

Sometimes the photos you have are the only ones there will ever be. Choose the clearest one you can find, even if it is not the most recent. If it is not clear enough for us to work from, we will contact you before we begin.

If you would like an opinion first, write to us before you order. There are more ideas in our guide to pet memorial gifts.

Getting a photo for a surprise gift

A surprise can be harder because you may not have a good photo on hand. These are simple ways to find one.

Look through photos the owner has already sent you.
Ask a family member or close friend who shares photos of the pet.
Take one yourself on your next visit, in good light and at eye level.

When you send a photo, you confirm you have the right to use it, as our terms of service explain. More gift ideas are in our guide for pet lovers.

What happens if we need another photo

We check each photo before work starts. If it is too blurry or the markings are hard to see, we contact you and ask for another one before production begins. You can see where this fits in our guide to how custom keepsakes are made.

You uploadYour photo goes in with your order.

We checkWe look for a clear face and markings.

We start or askWe begin, or ask you for another photo.

Ready to send your photo

Pick your piece and add your photo when you order. If you are not sure about a photo, we are happy to help.

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