Preparation: For best results, use ISO 200 or higher to photograph your pet. Choose a day that is overcast or hazy. Photographs taken on a sunny day tend to have bleached colors and shadows that lack detail. Make sure that you have your back to the sun, and the light on your pet.

Taking the Pictures: Get down to your pets level to shoot the pictures, and allow them to get used to you being there. It may be useful to have a helper to position or pose your pet while you are busy shooting away. Don't be afraid to shoot a lot of film. You may shoot 20-30 frames to get just one or two really good pictures. Try a variety of poses, angles, and lighting situations. Try to fill the frame with your pet, and not background. Be sure to get close-ups of details, such as eyes, shadowed areas, and coloring.

If the pictures are of horses, cattle, or other livestock, make sure to get really good shots of the distinguishing conformation characteristics: Head, neck, legs, slope of croup, etc for horses, udder, neck, rear quarters, topline, etc. for cattle. Good shots of markings are also important!

If your photos are of farms or buildings, try to shoot from several angles at several distances. Include some close-ups of the important details, such as the entryway to your farm or business, rooflines, etc. This will allow details that may be obscured by trees, buildings, or shadows to be more accurately portrayed in the finished painting.

Choosing your photos:

Select several clear photos which clearly represent your subject. Note which one, if any, you would prefer to be the "main reference"-has the pose or look you would prefer I use in the painting. Include any notes you feel would be helpful regarding your subjects personality, coloring, or small details not obvious in pictures.

If using a professional photo, you must get a copywrite release from the photographer, and include a copy with your photos. Though I do try to return all photos in their original condition, if you are including any photo you would be worried about, send copies, not originals.

Have fun and I look forward to returning them to you with your finished painting!