Commissions

All images and content on this website are copyright/ all rights reserved by Susan A Becker 2012 and may not be used in any form without written consent from the artist.

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Photography Tips

You’ll need patience, luck, timing, and perhaps a hot dog.

Composition and Perspective - Close up shots result in an intimate and emotional portrait. Fill the frame with your pet. Great images come from taking the photo at eye level, preferably showing an eye or two. Photographing from above or below creates a certain distortion that can be fun, depending on your mood. See below. Experiment by turning your subject at an angle into the camera so that she/ he becomes more three dimensional and life-like. Lots of motion can blur a photo so think about your pet quietly focused or at rest (unless motion is what you want to convey).

Lighting - Natural lighting is best, in solid shade or when the sun is low. Use a flash with caution.

Emotion - What feelings would you like your photo to portray? Try to capture a sense of humor, favorite expression, a head tilt or a particular stance you love. Photograph your pet’s overwhelming love for you, showing all that personality you cherish so. Snap your pet doing something that reminds you of who they are and what they do as this will melt your heart forever.

Study animal photos in books, magazines or on line to see what perspective and emotion attracts you.

Fun and Patience - Making photography into a game with an enormous amount of patience will likely yield best results (and your buddy will enjoy it too). Try holding a special treat or toy near your camera lens and don’t be afraid to take a lot of pictures. Having trouble? Back off and see what your pet wants to do and they just might have the best idea of all.

Finally, if it’s your favorite photo of your pet, it’ll be perfect! Your photo(s) will be returned.

A few photography angles to think about ...

Straight on, in your face

You are looking down

Over the shoulder

You are looking up at your friend

Semi-Profile

Use of shadows

Locate or Create Your Ideal Photo

Mail or email your favorite photo(s) to me. It’s very important to choose your most favorite pet expression(s), stance(s) and gestures(s) that show the soul and personality you are in love with and wish to cherish into the future. See photography suggestions below.

Whenever possible, I love to meet the pets I paint.
Photo shoots can be arranged in the Denver area (included in your portrait fee).

My job is to create the best painting possible for you, not just to make the best possible copy of your photo. Once I study your photo(s), I can suggest a format, (rectangular or square), and then you choose your canvas size. Think about where you’d like to display your painting and what kind of impact you’d like it to make. Then take measurements of this area. Turn around time varies but is normally 6-8 weeks. Two week rush delivery possible.

Varnish will protect your original oil painting and even heighten its colors, giving it an even sheen over the surface. Allowing at least six months for these oils to completely chemically oxidize (dry), return your painting to me at that time if desired. Varnishing is included in your purchase. Should it not be practical to return your painting to me, a local, reputable artist can varnish for you.

Animals comfort us and put us in touch with what really matters.

~Marc Bekoff

Commission a Portrait
How to Begin your Custom Portrait Process

10 Tips for Getting Great Photos of Your Cat

Five Tips for Taking Great Photos of Your Cat

How to Photograph Your Dog: Mood-Altering Camera Angles

Photographing Your Dog

Featured Rescue

Commission a Portrait Fees

Gift Certificates

About the Artist

Current Exhibits Pet Gems

Featured Rescue

Commission a Portrait Fees

Gift Certificates

About the Artist

Current Exhibits Pet Gems

Available Original Artwork

Fine Art Reproductions

Matted Prints & Note Cards

Available Original Artwork

Fine Art Reproductions

Matted Prints & Note Cards