A better photo makes a better portrait

Find soft, simple light

Try an ordinary spot near a window or an outdoor area with even shade. Strong overhead sunlight can hide eyes in shadow and create bright patches on the coat. Take a few photos and check the face before moving on.

Avoid changing your dog’s behavior just to get a picture. Photograph a comfortable, familiar moment. If the dog wants to leave, let the session end.

Get closer to their level

Lower the camera so the view feels closer to your dog’s eye line. Keep enough space around the ears and chest for a useful crop later. Make sure the nose and eyes are in focus, then check the original image at full size.

For a portrait, a clear image of the face is usually more useful than a distant full-body shot. Save the original file rather than a screenshot from a messaging app.

Before you upload

A personalized AI illustration may still interpret details differently. The source photograph should give the system the clearest possible reference; it cannot guarantee a perfect likeness.

• One dog is clearly identifiable in the photograph
• Eyes, nose, ears, and important markings are visible
• The image is sharp rather than motion-blurred
• No important part of the face is hidden behind an object
• You own the photo or have permission to use it

Choose the memory, too

The technically sharpest photo is not always your favorite. Keep a second folder for the imperfect moments you love: a familiar expression, a crooked ear, the pause before a game. Those are worth keeping even when they are not the best input for a portrait.