Photo Guide

A great photo makes a great portrait. Here is what our artist needs for the best result.

THE THREE ESSENTIALS

Clarity: Your photo should be sharp and in focus. When you zoom in on the face, you should clearly see eyes, nose, and mouth.

Lighting: Even, natural lighting makes a significant difference. Near a window or outdoors on a cloudy day is ideal. Avoid harsh shadows or flash.

Angle: Straight-on or slightly angled works best. The full head should be visible without obstruction.

WHAT WORKS WELL

- Face clearly visible and in focus
- Well-lit with even lighting
- Subject looking at or near the camera
- Full head visible, nothing cropped off
- High resolution (modern smartphone photos work well)
- Minimum 1000 x 1000 pixels recommended

WHAT TO AVOID

- Blurry or out-of-focus images
- Very dark or heavily shadowed photos
- Extreme close-ups with parts cut off
- Heavy filters (Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
- Tiny images from social media thumbnails
- Group photos where the subject's face is very small

PET PHOTOS

Same principles: get close, use good lighting, make sure the face is visible. Eye-level shots work best. Pets do not need to look directly at the camera.

LESS-THAN-PERFECT PHOTOS

Our artist can often work with imperfect photos. However, extremely low-quality images will affect the result. If we believe your photo will not produce a strong portrait, we will contact you before starting.

NOT SURE?

Email your photo to support@fernfawn.com before ordering. We will tell you honestly whether it will work well.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Old or vintage photos: We can work with older photos. Scan at the highest resolution possible.

Black and white photos: The portrait will also be in black and white tones.

Multiple subjects: Let us know which subjects to include when placing your order. Separate reference photos may sometimes produce better results.