How to prepare your photo for a painting - a guide to the best results

The most important things for a photo that is to become a painting are sharpness, good lighting and high resolution (at least 2 MB). The photo doesn't have to be professionally taken - a good phone photo from a modern smartphone is plenty, as long as it is sharp, evenly lit and taken close enough to the subject for us to see the face and details clearly. Here is the complete guide to preparing your photo for the best painting result.

The 4 most important factors in a good photo

1. Sharpness (most important!)

A blurry photo gives a blurry painting. If we can't clearly see the eye colour or details in the face, we can't paint them either. Test it yourself: zoom in on the photo on your screen. Can you clearly see the eyelashes, skin tone and hair texture? Then it is sharp enough.

Blurry photos typically result from:

• A shaky phone when the picture was taken
• Too little light (the camera uses a longer shutter time)
• Too much zoom (digital zoom reduces sharpness)
• Movement in the subject (especially children and animals)

2. Lighting

The best lighting for portrait photography is:

• Natural daylight by a window - the classic master lighting
• Overcast outdoor light - it is like a giant softbox
• Indirect light (not direct sun) - direct sun creates harsh shadows and makes people squint

Avoid:

• Backlight (sun behind the subject → the face goes dark)
• Harsh shadows across the face (as in midday sun)
• Ceiling light directly from above (gives "panda eyes" - shadows in the eye sockets)
• Yellow artificial light without white balance

3. Resolution and file size

As a rule of thumb, the photo should be at least 2 MB in file size. That typically corresponds to:

• A phone photo from an iPhone 11 or newer - perfect
• A phone photo from a Samsung Galaxy S10 or newer - perfect
• An ordinary digital camera - usually fine
• A DSLR/mirrorless camera - overkill, but it works

A file that is too small is often the result when:

• You have downloaded the picture from Facebook (compressed)
• You have sent it via Messenger or WhatsApp (compressed)
• You have taken a screenshot (lower resolution)

Always send the original file. Not a cropped or shared version. AirDrop or email the original version, not "small/medium" when you send it.

4. Perspective and distance

The optimal distance for a portrait photo is 1-2 metres from the subject. Take the photo at eye level with the person - not from above (foreshortened face) or from below (double-chin perspective).

For pictures that are too close (under 50 cm), the phone camera's wide-angle lens distorts the facial proportions - the nose looks too big. Take a few steps back and zoom in with your fingers instead.

What makes a good portrait photo versus a bad one?

Good portrait photo:

• Face fills 30-50 % of the picture
• The person looks into the camera or slightly to the side
• Natural smile or relaxed expression
• Even lighting on both sides of the face
• Hands/shoulders visible (gives a better composition)
• Focus on the eyes

Bad portrait photo:

• The person is furthest back in a group photo
• Sunglasses or a hat that hides the eyes
• Harsh shadows across half of the face
• Blurred from movement or too little light
• Instagram/Snapchat filters that have changed skin tone or softened facial features
• Selfie in extreme wide angle (distortion)

Tips for taking a new photo specifically for a painting

If you don't already have a good photo, it is easy to take a new one:

1. Choose the time of day: Take the photo 1-2 hours after sunrise or before sunset. The light is soft and warm.
2. Stand by a window: Next to a large window the lighting is perfect. The person should face the window, not away from it.
3. Keep your distance: 1.5-2 metres from the person. Use the camera's main (not wide-angle) lens.
4. Take several pictures: 10-20 pictures. Choose the best one afterwards. Highlights in the eyes are crucial - choose the one with a clear reflection.
5. Avoid heavy filters: Shoot in "Live" or "Original" mode, not "Beauty" or portrait mode, which blurs skin.

Photos of children: extra tips

Children are hard to photograph because they move constantly. Tips:

• Use burst mode (hold down the shutter for a series of photos)
• Take the photo at eye level - kneel down
• Get their attention with a sound just before you take the photo
• Let them be in their usual surroundings (toys or at home) - they relax more
• A natural expression beats a posed smile every time

Pets: extra tips

For a pet painting the same applies, plus a little extra:

• Take the photo at eye level with the animal - kneel/lie down
• Use a treat or a toy to get their attention
• Catchlights in the eyes (white reflections) are crucial - they are what makes an animal portrait come alive
• Full body or portrait shot - both work, but decide which
• Natural sunlight by a window is best

What do we do with your photo?

Once you have sent the photo, we go through it before we paint. We can:

• Adjust the background - for example remove a cluttered room and replace it with a clean background
• Combine several photos - for example if two people aren't standing together, we can place them in the same composition
• Add or remove objects - for example remove a soft-drink can in the background, or add a bouquet of flowers
• Improve lighting - lightly adjust contrast and light, but not miracles
• Sharpen soft focus - in some cases, but limited

What we cannot do is "rescue" a very blurry or dark photo. If you can't see the facial details in the photo yourself, we can't paint them either. In those cases we will contact you before we begin.

Can I send several photos?

Yes. You can send:

• A portrait photo for the face
• A photo showing body language/pose
• A photo with the background you want
• Reference photos for outfit, hairstyle or style

This is especially useful for family portraits where people aren't standing together in one photo - we place them in the same scene.

Old or blurry photos: what then?

If you have a historical or old photo - for example of a grandmother or a loved one who has passed away - we do our best. Lower resolution is acceptable because many of those photos date from a time of poorer cameras. We compensate by:

• Using the photo as a reference for facial features
• Recreating details based on our experience
• Possibly combining it with another photo of the same person from a different angle

For memorial paintings we often work with limited photos, and the result is still strong and personal.

Checklist before you send

• The file is over 2 MB in size
• You are sending the original file (not a screenshot or a download from Facebook)
• Face and subject are sharp - you can clearly see the eye colour
• The lighting is even - no heavy shadows
• The person looks into the camera or slightly to the side
• You have any extra reference photos ready (outfit, background)

Ready to order?

Once your photo is ready, you can go straight to painting from a photo. You upload the photo with your order, and we get started. The whole process takes 2-3 weeks.

If you are unsure whether your photo is good enough, you can send it to us first via our contact form - and we will give you feedback before you order.