The best photo for a pet portrait is a sharp original image that shows the features the chosen product needs. A face-focused design may use one front or three-quarter view; a full-body sculpture needs additional angles. Check the product's photo instructions before choosing a favorite image.
Cover illustration: AI-generated front, side and back views showing how to organize reference photos. For your order, use original photographs of your own pet.
For any photo-based order, use an original, sharp file with the pet's relevant features visible. Natural light helps, but a studio portrait is not required. The product-specific requirements below take priority over general photography advice.
PetMoy photo requirements by product
PetMoy sells the products listed below. This table explains their reference-photo requirements so you can check what to prepare before ordering.
| Product | Required reference photos | What to check in the photos |
|---|---|---|
| Custom dog figurine | Front, side, and back photos of the same dog; a tail or distinctive marking photo may be added when useful | Include the whole body in the requested views; add a separate detail image if the tail or a distinctive marking is hidden. |
| Pet memorial statue flower dome | At least five clear photos: full body, face, left side, right side, and back; also provide the desired pose | Include both left and right sides, and state which pose you want the finished figure to show. |
| Custom pet photo urn | One clear, well-lit front or three-quarter photo with the face, coat color, and markings visible | Keep the face, coat color and distinctive markings visible; a heavy filter can conceal those details. |
| Ceramic pet urn with figurine lid | A bright front-facing photo; a side view can help show ear shape and profile; provide a clear photo for each pet when ordering two figurines | Choose the photo-based option if you want a custom likeness; provide a separate clear reference for each pet in a two-figurine order. |
| Custom pet portrait baseball cap | One clear front-facing photo of one pet | Use a clear front view of one pet without a heavy filter. |
| Paint by numbers pet portrait | One sharp, well-lit photo with the face and key markings visible; a simple background is helpful | Choose a sharp image with readable facial detail and a simple background; this product is a kit you paint yourself. |
These requirements come from the current PetMoy product pages. Recheck the selected product page before checkout because options and ordering fields can change.
The ten-point upload check
Before submitting a photo, check:
- Eyes are visible. Make sure hair, glare, sunglasses, or a heavy shadow do not hide them.
- The face is in focus. Zoom in to confirm that the face is not soft from motion blur.
- Markings are readable. White patches, stripes, spots, ear color, and nose shape help distinguish the pet.
- Light is even. Avoid a bright window directly behind the pet; it can turn the face into a silhouette.
- The angle matches the product. A front or three-quarter view is usually easier for a face-focused design than a distant side view.
- The original file is available. A camera original is generally more useful than a screenshot of a social post.
- The crop leaves breathing room. Do not cut off ears, muzzle, paws, or the feature the product is meant to show.
- The pet is separated from visual clutter. A simple background helps you and the artist see the outline.
- There is one clear subject. If the product is for one pet, avoid a group photo unless the ordering instructions specifically allow it.
- The photo fits the selected product. Confirm the current product page's photo and pet-count requirements before ordering.
Light and focus matter more than filters
Take a new photo near a bright window or outdoors in open shade. Tap the pet's eyes on a phone screen before taking the picture. Keep the camera at the pet's eye level and take several frames rather than relying on one hurried shot. Our pet photography tips offer a repeatable routine for light, focus and framing.
Avoid strong backlight, colored party lights, and filters that change fur color. A filter can make a photo look attractive on a screen while hiding the markings needed for a faithful custom result. If the only image you have is filtered, keep the unfiltered original if possible.
Choosing a single portrait
A front-facing image usually makes both eyes and facial markings easy to compare. A three-quarter image can add useful information about muzzle depth and ear shape. Use whichever view the selected product page requests; do not replace a required front view with a dramatic profile simply because it looks more artistic.
If you are deciding between two photos, compare the actual detail at the size the artist will see, not just the thumbnail. The closer photo is not automatically better if it is blurry.
How to prepare a three-view set
For the custom dog figurine, photograph the same dog from the front, one complete side, and the back. Keep all four paws, the ears, and the tail in frame. Use similar lighting across the set so the coat color does not shift from one image to another. If the tail or a marking is hidden by long fur, add a separate detail photo rather than replacing one of the three required views.
The image above shows a finished custom dog figurine alongside a pet reference photo. For your own order, prepare the separate front, side and back views described here.
How to prepare a five-photo set
The flower-dome memorial requires at least five clear views: full body, face, left side, right side, and back. Keep the whole body visible in the full-body and side images. The separate face image should preserve eye shape, muzzle shape, coat color, and distinctive markings. Also confirm the pose and the pet name, which is limited to six words on the current product page.
Check the finished figure and dome dimensions separately on the product page. A close-up product photo doesn't tell you how large the memorial will look on your shelf.
Before placing a custom order
Check the following against the selected product page:
- the required photo count and angles;
- the selected size or capacity;
- the number of pets;
- the product style, color, or material option;
- the spelling of every name, date, or message.
Once these details are ready, the maker can work from a consistent brief. Keeping the original full-resolution photos available is helpful if an additional view is needed during preparation.
Read the individual product instructions and the How It Works page before uploading. If an option allows one or two pets, follow that product's current instructions rather than assuming the same photo count applies across the shop.
If you only have a group photo
Do not crop so tightly that the ears or chin disappear. You can send the group image as context and ask whether a separate crop is acceptable, but the final answer depends on the product and the visible detail. If the image is a screenshot, look for the original file in the phone's camera roll or cloud backup.
If the pet has passed away and photos are limited
Start with the clearest original images you can find. Look through shared family albums as well as your own camera roll; a less posed photo may show a missing side or coat marking. Tell PetMoy which expression or detail matters to you and ask whether the available images suit the specific product before ordering. A missing view should be discussed, not silently filled in.
If the best reference is a paper print, read how to scan old photos before sending it, so the digital copy preserves as much visible detail as possible.
For example, you could ask: “I have a clear front photo and a left-side photo, but no back view. Are these enough for this product? The white patch on the chest is the detail I most want to preserve.” This is a suggested message, not a customer quote or a promise that the photos will be accepted.
A quick comparison
| Photo | Likely strengths | Common limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Clear front view in natural light | Eyes and face are easy to read | May hide body shape |
| Three-quarter portrait | Shows face, ears, and depth | One side may be less visible |
| Full-body outdoor photo | Shows proportions and coat pattern | Face may be too small |
| Screenshot from social media | May be the only available memory | Compression and cropping reduce detail |
| Heavy-filter photo | Strong mood or color | Fur and markings may be inaccurate |
FAQ
Is a phone photo good enough for a pet portrait?
Often, yes, if the file is sharp and the pet's relevant features are visible. Send the original phone file when possible.
Is a front-facing photo always best?
No. It depends on the selected product and the features you want represented. A three-quarter or side view can be useful when it shows distinctive ears, profile, or body shape.
Can I use a screenshot?
You can ask, but an original file is preferable because screenshots are usually smaller and compressed. Check the product instructions before submitting.
What if I cannot find a perfect photo?
Choose the clearest available reference and contact PetMoy about the specific product before ordering. If the key features are not visible, a non-photo memorial may be a better fit.
Product fact-check
Reference-photo counts and angles in the table were checked against the linked PetMoy product pages on September 11, 2026. Product options can change; the selected product page and confirmation from PetMoy determine what to submit.
Editorial note: Photo requirements vary by product. The current product page and ordering instructions take priority over this general checklist.
