Their personality. Your favorite new artwork.

The PetsOnPaper field notes / 01

A great portrait starts with a great photo.

You don’t need a professional camera. Just a clear view of your favorite face. A few simple choices give your portrait the best place to start.

Find their good light.

Soft natural light helps show your pet’s markings and the detail in their fur. Try a spot near a window or a little shade outdoors. Avoid strong shadows across their face, bright backlighting, and flash glare.

Get close to their character.

A few things to leave out.

Skip blurry photos, heavy filters, distant subjects, and pictures where a toy or costume hides the face. Choose the original image over a screenshot or a photo saved repeatedly through messaging apps.

For dogs, cats, and other characters.

For dogs, look for the expression you know best: an attentive gaze, a happy grin, or that trademark head tilt. Make sure floppy ears and unique markings are in the frame.

For cats, clear eyes and whiskers make a difference. A relaxed moment in their usual spot often feels more like them than a carefully arranged pose. For other pets, focus on their distinctive features and a natural posture.

Ready when they are.

The photo picker in the app lists the current supported formats and size limit. Keep your original photo handy and follow its guidance when you upload.

Create a portrait