The single biggest factor in how good your custom paint-by-numbers portrait turns out isn't the kit — it's the photo you send in.
The good news: you don't need a camera. Your phone is plenty, if you set the shot up properly.
Light Beats Everything
Find soft, indirect natural light — near a window, on a shaded verandah, or outside on an overcast morning. Avoid direct midday sun and avoid flash entirely.
Natural light makes fur, eyes and noses look like themselves. Flash flattens everything.
Get Down to Their Level
Crouch or lie down so the camera is at your pet's eye line. Photos taken from standing height make pets look distorted and small.
Eye-level photos turn into portraits people stop and look at.
Eyes in Focus, Eyes to Camera
Tap the screen to focus on the pet's nearest eye. Use a treat or squeaky toy held just behind the phone to get their attention for a second.
Sharp eyes are non-negotiable — soft eyes ruin a portrait.
Plain Background, Clean Frame
Busy backgrounds (couches, cluttered floors) compete with your pet. Aim for a plain wall, a single-colour blanket, or simple grass.
Leave a little space around the pet — you can crop later, but you can't add back.
Take 20, Pick 1
Don't try to nail the perfect shot in one try. Take 20 photos in a single session, then pick the best one. If you're not sure which one to choose, here's how to tell which photos work best.
Send the original full-resolution file — never a screenshot or a downsized version from chat.
A great pet photo turns into a great portrait, and the rest of the process is covered in our complete guide to pet paint by numbers. A so-so photo turns into a so-so portrait — even with the best custom paint-by-numbers kit. Spend the ten minutes on the shot, and the painting takes care of itself.
— Be Artistic Club