Transform Your Favourite Photograph
Into Artwork You’ll Treasure Forever
A beautiful dog portrait starts with a beautiful photograph. The good news is that you don’t need professional photography equipment or studio lighting to create a stunning personalised dog portrait. In many cases, the best images are simply those that capture your dog’s unique personality.
Whether you’re ordering a custom dog portrait as a gift, creating a lasting memorial for a beloved companion, or treating yourself to a special keepsake, choosing the right photograph can make a huge difference to the finished artwork.
At Created by Magic, every dog portrait is individually designed by Laura using digital watercolour brushes and over 20 years of design experience. Here are our top tips for selecting the perfect image.
A portrait can only include the details visible within the image provided.
The clearer and higher quality the photograph, the more accurately we can capture your dog’s colouring, expression, markings and personality.
The best dog portrait photos usually have:
- Clear eyes and facial features
- Good natural lighting
- Sharp focus
- Accurate colouring
- Minimal shadows
- A natural expression
Don’t worry if you’re unsure whether your image is suitable. We’re always happy to advise before you place your order.

Good Lighting Makes All The Difference
Natural daylight is one of the easiest ways to improve your photograph.
Images taken outdoors or near a large window often provide the most accurate colours and detail. Bright, natural lighting helps us capture your dog’s unique markings and fur texture more accurately.
For the best results:
✔ Take photographs outdoors when possible
✔ Position your dog near a window indoors
✔ Photograph during daylight hours
✔ Avoid harsh shadows across the face
Avoid using flash wherever possible, as this can create unnatural colouring and reflections in the eyes.
How to Choose the Best Photo for a Dog Portrait
Choosing the right photograph can make a huge difference to the finished artwork.
Many memorial portraits are created using older photographs.
If your dog has sadly passed away, don’t worry if you only have a handful of images available. In many cases we can still create a beautiful keepsake from older photographs.
Choose the clearest image you have available and we’ll be happy to advise before ordering if needed.
Memorial portraits are one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate a beloved companion and preserve treasured memories for years to come.
To achieve the very best results, we always recommend providing a photograph showing all pets together wherever possible.
This ensures the lighting, colouring, proportions and perspective remain consistent throughout the artwork, helping us create a portrait that accurately reflects your pets.
If you would like to combine a current pet with a beloved pet who has passed away, we offer dedicated Multiple Pet Portrait options specifically designed for this situation.
The best photographs don’t need to be professionally taken.
Some of our favourite portraits have been created from:
- Happy outdoor walks
- Garden photographs
- Relaxed home snapshots
- Puppy photographs
- Sleeping portraits
- Memorial photographs
What matters most is capturing the personality that makes your dog special.
A great portrait begins with a great photograph.
Whether you’re celebrating a new puppy, remembering a beloved companion, or searching for the perfect gift for a dog lover, we’d love to help transform your favourite photograph into a piece of artwork you’ll treasure forever.
Why Thousands of Customers Trust Created by Magic
🎨 Designed by Laura
🎓 BA (Hons) Graphic Arts
⭐ Theo Paphitis SBS Winner
⭐ Established Since 2015
🖌 Not AI Generated
🇬🇧 Designed & Printed in the UK
📦 Free UK Standard Delivery
Every pet portrait is individually created by Laura using digital watercolour brushes and over 20 years of design experience. From playful puppies to treasured memorial portraits, each artwork is carefully designed to capture the personality and character that make your pet so special.
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