I thought it would be a good idea to share some hints on how to take a good reference photo.

It's very important to me because the sharper the photo, the more realistic I can draw. Taking a good photo of your pet is not always easy. Some cookies and an extra helping hand can't hurt. Unfortunately, it often happens that the pets or people have already passed away, but even then the following can help you find the photos that are suitable for me to draw. Ofcourse you can always contact me if you have any doubts.

Good quality is the key

The more details there are in the photo, the better I can make the drawing.
The picture below was taken with a good digital camera, but nowadays our mobile phones take very sharp pictures. The photo below was taken indoors. It is important that you pay attention to the lighting.  It is easier to work with a digital camera than with a mobile phone.

When you are going to take pictures with your mobile phone, it is best to shoot outside in daylight.
Get close to your pet and on their level because this will keep your pet in proportion. You shouldn't look down on your pet. If you have a small pet, you could put him or her on the stairs or on a picnic table outside. When your pet looks straight into the camera, I can really make a much nicer portrait of them.
Try to photograph your pet up close so that it fills the display. You should not zoom in because then you lose sharpness. Below are some examples of good and less good.