How To Photograph Pets
I always work from photos provided by my customers. I require three or four clear images sent by email including the photo you want done in pastel. The quality and detail of the finished portrait is dependent upon the quality of the photos you send me. Correct fur colours and clear eye colours are critical for a positive outcome. Professional photos are not necessary as today’s cell phones take excellent pictures. I have listed a few basic suggestions below which should help you capture some quality photos of your pet if you need to take new ones. Blankets, pet beds, balls and fluffy toys add interesting textures to the portrait. Try to make sure your pet’s tag with his/her name is visible.
Should you want a memorial portrait, select a few photos from your existing collection specifying the one you want done in pastel.
![]() Take photos while at eye-level | ![]() Get down on the floor to achieve eye-level |
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS![]() |
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Framing and Hanging Instructions
A pastel is fragile as long as it remains unframed. It needs to be framed behind glass to avoid smudges and damage. The pastel should never touch the glass as the pastel particles will stick to the glass and can ruin the artwork. Adding a mat or spacer when framing keeps the pastel from touching the glass. Do not use acrylic sheets or plexiglass instead of glass as these alternatives can cause an electric charge (static) that will pull the pastel off the paper. Be sure to tell your framer not to spray fixative on your pastel. In my opinion fixatives will darken the artwork giving it a muddy appearance.
Do not hang pastels in direct sunlight. When under glass, the heat of the sun can create humidity, which could cause moisture damage. Pastel paintings are incredibly sensitive to moisture. Bathrooms and kitchens are never suitable places for pastels.