# 7 Mistakes You’re Making with Pet Photos (And How to Get the Perfect Portrait Reference)

Let’s be honest – snapping the perfect photo of your pet for a custom portrait can be tricky. At Bancroftio Draws, I know that great reference photos create great art portraits full of personality and detail. Want to get the best out of your photos? Avoid these seven common mistakes, and use my tips to nail that perfect reference shot every time.

1. Using the Wrong Camera Settings

Pets move. A lot. Using your phone or camera’s automatic mode might seem easy, but often leads to blurry or poorly lit photos: especially with wiggly pups and curious cats.

How to fix it:

• Use a fast shutter speed (1/500th of a second or quicker) to freeze motion.

• Preferably, shoot in daylight for natural clarity.

• If you’re using a smartphone, tap your pet’s face to focus, and enable the “burst” or “live” photo mode to catch the sharpest moment.

2. Shooting From Way Too High

We’ve all done it: snapping a pic of our pet from above as they look up at us. But photos taken from your standing height create a distant, disconnected feel, and don’t show off your pet’s best features.

How to fix it:

• Crouch, kneel, or lay on the ground to take the photo at your pet’s eye level.

• This perspective draws viewers in and captures the personality in their eyes and face.

Bonus: you’ll often get more engaging expressions when you’re interacting up close!

3. Letting the Eyes Go Out of Focus

The eyes are the heart of your pet’s portrait. A picture where the eyes are blurry or dull just doesn’t carry the same connection or “aww” factor.

How to fix it:

• Always make sure your pet’s eyes are the sharpest point in your photo.

• Use your camera’s autofocus and tap or select the eye area before snapping.

• If your pet is moving a lot, use “continuous autofocus” or “tracking focus” so the eyes stay crisp.

4. Ignoring the Lighting

Bad lighting is the enemy of all photos - whether that's human portraits, pet portraits or Vinted listings! Too much direct sun can cause harsh shadows; indoor lamps can leave colors looking yellow or blue. 

How to fix it:

• Take photos during soft daylight hours – early morning or late afternoon is best.

• If outside, aim for open shade or an overcast day for even, gentle light.

• Inside, try to use spaces with lots of natural window light. Avoid using flash: it’s unflattering and can create glowing “alien” eyes!

5. Uncomfortable Pet

A tense, anxious pet isn’t going to pose naturally. A surprise phone in their face, uncomfy costumes, or noisy environments show up in the final image: think wide eyes, tucked tails, or ears down.

How to fix it:

• Photograph your pet in a spot they know and love.

• Let them move, sniff, or sit as they please. Natural poses look best.

• Don’t worry about making them wear anything they’re not used to: I can always add details later!

6. A Distracting Background

I can always tone down a background in a drawing but for photos that you share online, chaos in the background can be embarrassing. Messy rooms, bright toys, or other pets can pull attention away from your main subject.

How to fix it:

• Choose a clean, simple background whenever possible.

• Solid-colored walls, a stretch of grass, or a neutral blanket work well.

• If the background is busy, move your pet a little further away from it and use portrait mode to create a bit of blur.

7. Over-Editing Your Photos

It’s tempting to use filters or crank up the “sharpen” slider. But heavy edits are unnecessary. I will know if shadows or saturations need tweaking. 

How to fix it:

• Keep things as natural as possible. Adjust brightness if you need to, but don’t go overboard.

• Skip the dramatic filters and let your pet’s personality speak for itself.

• Remember: I can tidy up, crop, or fine-tune your photo before painting: that’s my job!

Quick Tips for the Perfect Portrait Reference

• Capture their true colouring: bright sunlight or natural indoor light works best.

• Multiple photos help! Send several clear shots from different angles so I can see everything.

• Don’t panic if your pet won’t sit still: some of my favourite portraits come from candid, playful snaps.

Ready to turn your best snaps into art? At Bancroftio Draws, I use your photos as the heartbeat of every custom pet portrait. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll get a keepsake that’s as vibrant and lively as your furry friend themselves!