We want you to get the best result possible from your commission, and that result depends entirely on the photograph you send. For that reason we have included a few tips to help you.

Choosing or taking your photograph

The most important aspects of your photo are that it needs to be in focus and correctly lit. Also, unless you specifically want us to include it in the final portrait, the background of the photo is not required, so please ensure that the subject(s) head and shoulders take up nearly all of the photo.

If it is a full body shot that you are commissioning, then we require TWO photographs from you, both taken from the same position - one of the full figure and one of just the head. The head shot ensures that we have all the facial features and hair detail that otherwise would be too small to work with using the full figure shot.

If using a digital camera, please ensure it is no less than 5MP and that the resolution and quality are at their highest setting. If scanning an existing photo, please supply it as large as you can but preferably at A4 size at 300dpi. Save your chosen image as a maximum quality .jpg, .tif, .tiff, bmp, .psd or .png. This can then be emailed to us as an attachment of no more than 10MB.

Pose

Don't just look straight at the camera (unless you want to!), consider poses that may convey your character more effectively. Try three-quarter views, profiles, higher or lower shots for example.

How about an 'informal' shot where you are captured in an everyday situation - working, talking or laughing? Try bringing the hands into the shot to create a more expressive and energetic image.

Clothing

In head and shoulders shots, unless you're wearing a hat, not much of your clothing is visible. On the other hand, full figure shots show everything, so consider carefully what clothing you would like to be seen wearing in your portrait. Don't worry too much about colour at this stage because we can change that, and we'll be asking you what colour scheme you wish to see anyway, but we will find it more difficult to change that jacket you chose into a floral shirt!

Lighting

There needs to be a good balance of highlight and shadow, in other words part of the face needs to be nice and bright, with the other part in shade. Though in both cases we need to be able to discern the facial features clearly, so don't have the highlight too bright or the shadows too deep. Ideally, the subject should be lit from slightly above and to the side. Please do not use front flash photography as this 'flattens' the details on the face and makes for a far less impressive portrait.