What makes a good photo for a pet portrait?

October 29, 2026

Your dog, your cat or your horse is part of the family. A pet portrait as an artwork on your wall is a lovely way to show it. To get it right, the photo is what matters most. Pets rarely sit still, they look away or sit in the shade. In this guide we show you how to recognize a good photo and how to take one yourself.

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How to recognize a good photo for a pet portrait

The eyes are sharp

In a pet portrait, the eyes are the first thing we look at. If they're clear and sharp, the artwork feels alive. Zoom into your photo and check that you can see the eyes clearly. A slightly blurred background, on the other hand, is no problem.

Your pet fills the frame

A photo where your pet is just a small figure in the corner of a meadow doesn't hold much detail. A shot where the head and body take up a large part of the picture works better. If you have to zoom in a lot, there are too few pixels left for the face.

Fur and color are easy to see

Especially with very dark or very light fur, light is key. Black fur quickly turns into a dark patch in the shade, and white fur can look washed out in bright sun. Soft daylight shows the texture of the fur and its true color.

Their character shows

An artwork lives from expression. A typical look, ears pricked up, a tongue hanging out just a little: moments like these make your pet one of a kind. Choose a photo that makes you think right away: that's him. That's her.

How to take a good photo yourself

Get down to eye level. Kneel or lie on the floor. Photos taken from above make pets look smaller and distort the head.
Use daylight. By a window or outside in the shade, ideally in the morning or late afternoon.
Get their attention. A treat or a sound right next to your phone makes your pet look toward the camera.
Take lots of photos. Your phone's burst mode helps you catch that one good moment.
Stay calm. A tired, relaxed pet after a walk often poses more patiently than an excited one.

What to avoid

Screenshots or pictures sent through messaging apps like WhatsApp. Quality often gets lost along the way. Use the original file instead.
Photos taken through a window, with flash at night, or with glowing eyes.
Heavily edited pictures with filters.
Photos where a collar, leash or hands cover the face.

Several pets, or pet and person, in one picture

You have two dogs who never sit still together? Or you'd like to see yourself in the picture with your pet? The family artworkfamily artwork merges up to 4 photos of people or pets, group photos included, into one shared picture. Each pet should then be clearly visible on one of the photos, following the tips above. Several pets on one photo work too. You can find out more on our family artworkfamily artwork page.

Which style suits your pet?

At Arturell you choose from more than 20 art styles. A watercolor feels soft and playful. The oil style gives the picture depth and warmth. Royal turns your pet into a portrait fit for a king, with a wink. Pop Art brings bold colors, and pencil feels understated and delicate. The artwork is created with AI from your photo and printed on canvas.

You'll find inspiration on our pet portraitpet portrait and dog portraitdog portrait pages.

The free preview as a test

Not sure which photo is the right one? Just give it a try. Upload a photo, choose a style and see your free preview, with a watermark and no account needed. Up to 5 previews are free. That way you can compare different photos and styles and only order once you love the result. Start your preview here.Start your preview here.

Your pet portrait is available as a canvas from 30×20 cm to 120×80 cm on a 4 cm deep stretcher frame, as a framed canvas or as a digital download.Your pet portrait is available as a canvas on a 1.5 inch deep stretcher frame or as a framed canvas.

Frequently asked questions

Does my pet have to look into the camera?

Not necessarily. A look into the camera often feels very personal, but a profile or a glance to the side can be just as beautiful. What matters is that the face is sharp and well lit.