Procedure & Fees for Portraits of Pets

The Process:

The most common method of obtaining reference photos for portraits of animals is for the client to provide them himself. See “Photographing Your Pet” (below) for guidance. Photos will be returned with the finished work.

Pictures can be emailed or mailed to me. Once the project is agreed upon, a deposit of one third the portrait price is required.

Completion time can be a month to a year depending on my work load. The finished portrait will be delivered or mailed. Minor alterations are sometimes needed and always accomodated. The remainder of the price is due upon completion.

Fees:

Portraits are available in pastel and oil; all are unframed.

PASTELS:

Small animals and miniatures (4" x 6" to 9" x 12")..

$175 to $275

Standard size (big dog) head & shoulders..............

$375

Standard size full body...........................................

$500 / full background $100

Additional pet in same portrait................................

half price

OILS:

8"x10" ..........................................

$500

9"x12"...........................................

$600

12"x16".........................................

$700

14"x18" and up..............................

$850-$1,700

Full Background............................

variable

Second animal in same portrait.......

half price

Photographing Your Pet

The better the photos, the better the portrait. It’s easy to get good photographs of your animal if you follow the suggestions below. Have an assistant handle your pet, and someone behind the camera if needed to focus his attention where you want it.

1. Adjust the camera lens focal length to AT LEAST 55mm. 200mm to 300mm telephoto works well.

2. Get down to your pet’s level. The camera lens should be at about eye level with the subject.

3. Outdoors is usually best.

4. Indoors, take advantage of natural light. Place your pet by a window or photograph in a bright room. It’s usually best not to use a flash.

5. Look for pleasing positions like the ones below. The head is
turned one way and the body another so the animal looks over one
shoulder.

Head & Shoulders:

Full body: The head and shoulders is still the most important aspect. Avoid shots that include too much body. Move around the animal experimenting with different angles. These photos were taken with a 300mm telephoto lens.

Things to Avoid:

Avoid photographing from above.

Avoid wide angle shots.