Why I Ask for More Than One Photo

When someone reaches out about a pet portrait, one of the first things I ask for is multiple photos.

And not because I'm being picky.

In fact, it's quite the opposite.

I'm trying to get to know your pet.

Most people assume I ask for several photos because I need to compare fur colour, eye detail, or markings.

And while those things are certainly important, they're actually only part of the story.

What I'm really looking for is personality.

Because the truth is, a single photo can show me what your pet looks like.

But several photos help me understand who they are.

Every Photo Shows a Different Side

Think about your own camera roll for a moment.

You probably have photos where your dog looks dignified and regal.

You probably also have photos where they're upside down on the couch with their tongue hanging out.

The same pet.

Two completely different personalities.

When clients send me several photos, I start seeing patterns.

I notice the expressions that show up again and again.

The way they tilt their head when they're curious.

The way they smile when they're excited.

The slightly mischievous look that appears right before they make a questionable decision.

Those little things tell me so much more than a single image ever could.

The Photos You Love Tell a Story

One of my favorite parts of the process is seeing which photos people choose to send.

Almost every client has a few favorites.

And those favorites usually tell me something important.

Sometimes it's the goofy grin they loved.

Sometimes it's a photo taken during a special memory.

Sometimes it's simply an expression that feels unmistakably familiar.

When people send their favorite images, they're giving me a glimpse into how they see their pet.

And that's incredibly valuable.

Because my goal isn't just to create a realistic portrait.

My goal is to create a portrait that feels familiar to the people who love them.

The Little Quirks Matter

Some pets have a particular expression they make all the time.

Some have a signature side-eye.

Some always look slightly guilty, even when they've done absolutely nothing wrong.

Some have a goofy smile that instantly makes their family laugh.

And some have a gentle softness in their eyes that seems to show up in every photograph.

These are the things I pay attention to.

The little quirks.

The familiar expressions.

The personality traits that make family members immediately say:

"That's exactly them."

It's Almost Like Getting Introduced

When clients send me multiple photos, it feels a little bit like an introduction.

At first, I see a dog.

Or a cat.

But the more photos I look through, the more I begin to understand the individual animal.

I start to see who they are.

The playful one.

The gentle one.

The stubborn one.

The clown.

The cuddle bug.

The one who always has something to say.

Every collection of photos tells a story.

And before I ever put pencil to paper, I spend time getting to know that story.

More Than a Reference

By the time I choose the final reference photo, I've usually looked through every image several times.

I've studied the eyes.

The expressions.

The markings.

The personality.

The funny moments.

The quiet moments.

The moments that made you save those photos in the first place.

Because while one image might become the portrait, every photo helps shape it.

Every photo helps me understand the animal behind the portrait.

And that's why I ask for more than one.

Not because I need more photos.

But because I want to know who I'm drawing.

The better I understand your pet, the better chance I have of creating something that feels like them.

And in the end, that's always the goal. 🐾