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PHOTO REFERENCE

When creating a portrait from a photograph, the photo needs to provide enough detail, as if the subject were sitting in front of me. It should be large, sharp, and clear to capture the intricate features necessary for a high-quality portrait. On this page, you’ll find more information on the types of photos I require to ensure the best possible result for your portrait.

HOW MANY PHOTOS DO I NEED?

To create an accurate likeness of a subject I haven’t met in person, I work from one key photograph that captures their features clearly. I’ll help you choose the best photo for this main reference. However, to get a fuller sense of the subject, it’s helpful to see a few extra photos, even for animals. These additional images don’t need to be as high-quality as the main one but provide context for the subject’s overall appearance.

WHAT TO TAKE THE PHOTOS WITH

Today, most of us take photos on our phones, but for my detailed portraits, phone photos—especially screenshots or images shared through apps like WhatsApp—often lose quality. To capture the fine details, I prefer working from digital camera photos that are large and sharp enough to zoom in on. Don’t worry, even a basic digital camera will work, and no photography skills are required!

 

School or professional photos are also great options, especially if you can obtain the original digital file.
 

GO FOR A CLOSE UP

When taking your photograph, aim for a close-up where the subject fills the frame. Working from a distant or blurry photo makes capturing details much harder. Unless it's a full-body portrait, you don’t need to include anything below the waist. Just make sure the top of the head and hair aren’t cut off. Zoom in to capture the facial features clearly, which will help me create a more accurate portrait.

  • Use natural light: It gives the best results. Avoid artificial lighting, which can cause graininess.
     

  • Outdoor photos: Ideal, but avoid bright sunlight, which causes squinting and harsh shadows.
     

  • Background: Don’t worry about it unless you want it included in the portrait.
     

  • For pets: Remove collars if you don’t want them featured in the portrait.

Photographing children can be challenging! As a parent, I understand how difficult it can be to get them to sit still or avoid making silly faces. If you don’t capture the perfect shot right away, keep your camera nearby for a few days and snap photos when they’re not expecting it.

 

The quality of the reference photo is key to how the final portrait turns out, so it’s worth the effort to find the right image. Feel free to email several options, and I’ll help you choose the best one.

WHAT CAN I CHANGE FROM YOUR ORIGINAL IMAGE

I can make small adjustments, such as tidying hair or fur, removing food, eczema, or sunburn, and smoothing out clothing. These are minor tweaks I often do without needing to be asked, but we’ll discuss any changes before I begin.

WHAT I CAN'T CHANGE

I can’t combine elements from multiple photos or drastically change expressions or clothing. It’s best to ensure the reference photo is as close to your desired final result as possible, including hairstyle and outfit.

JOINT PORTRAITS

I’m sometimes asked if I can create a portrait of two or more subjects using different photos. This approach can be tricky, as the lighting and tones from separate images may not match, resulting in a less cohesive portrait. For the best results, I recommend taking a new photo of the subjects together.
 

If you’re doing a photo shoot for your portrait, and the lighting and tones are consistent, it may be possible to combine elements from different photos.

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