🖼️ Photo Submission
For the best possible results, please follow these guidelines when submitting your photo(s) for a custom portrait:
✅ What qualities make a great-looking portrait photo?
Soft, Even Lighting
Indoor lighting is usually best to avoid harsh shadows or washed out images. Always make sure the light source is in front of the subject, not behind them. Outdoor images on cloudy days or natural light from windows can also work. Avoid using the flash on the camera because it creates unflattering flat lighting on facial features.
Sharp Focus
Make sure the image is crisp and in focus, especially around the eyes and facial features. Blurry or pixelated photos reduce the fine detail we can capture.
High Resolution
Send us the original photo from your phone or camera. Avoid screenshots or compressed social media versions. Ideally, your image should be 1000 pixels wide or more.
Visible Facial Features
Make sure the subject’s eyes and face are clearly visible. Avoid hats, sunglasses, or hairstyles that cover the eyes — unless they’re part of the look you want in the portrait.
Professional photography is recommended
If you have yearbook, graduation, wedding portraits, promotional head shots or other photos done by a photographer, these work best.
📸 Tips for Taking a New Photo
If you’re taking a photo just for this portrait, here’s what works best:
- Use your phone or camera in portrait (vertical) mode
- Have your subject face a window or light source (not with it behind them)
- Stand 3–5 feet away
- Hold the camera steady, and don’t use digital zoom
- Take a few shots to choose the best one
🧑🎨 Ideal Portrait Poses
A traditional portrait usually includes the head and shoulders, sometimes the upper torso. A calm, natural expression is best — like a slight smile or relaxed look. Subjects can face forward or be slightly turned. Professional portraits or school pictures are great references. Clear selfies can also work well.
📂 Accepted File Types
We accept:
- JPG or JPEG
- PNG
- HEIC (from iPhones)
You can submit one photo with all subjects, or individual photos for each. We’ll create a custom layout for your approval before the drawing begins.