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    ink portrait of a yorkie

    watercolor and pastel portrait of Aussie mix

    yorkie
    (pen and ink)

    australian shepherd mix
    (pastels)

    Photo Shoot

    If you live in Sumter, S.C., or the surrounding areas and want a pet portrait, I would suggest that you set up a photo shoot. Though a photo shoot is not necessary, I would definitely recommend it when possible. It not only provides me with pictures of your pet to work from, but I also get to learn the personality of your animal. Therefore, I am able to portray that more accurately in the picture.

    At this time, I am offering the photo shoot free of charge if you live in Sumter, South Carolina. There will be a nominal charge for photo shoots taken in areas outside of Sumter. The charge will be based on travel time. Please feel free to email me for a quote. During the photo shoot, I will take many digital photos of your pet. I will also be observing your pet's personality so that I can better capture his/ her spirit in the portrait.

    I realize that it is not always feasible to have me to do the photo shoot. You may be limited by distance, time or other factors. Therefore, I have put together a list of photo tips that will help you obtain the quality of pictures needed for a good pet portrait. Also, it is helpful if you let me know a little about your pet's personality. If you have a favorite pose, please indicate that when you are submitting photos. If you are providing photos from a film camera, please be assured that I will take very good care of the photos and will return them to you after the portrait is completed.

    Photo Tips

    • Send several pictures of your pet if possible. These can be either film photos or digital files, or a combination of the two. (All pictures will be returned to you unharmed.)

    • If taking digital photos, please set the camera to the highest quality possible. The file should be at least 2 MB. You can either send them via e-mail at their full size or put them on a CD.

    • It is very important to have at least one good picture with the eyes in focus and another with the nose in focus.

    • You should try to get close-ups of your pet, filling the frame of the camera. If your camera has a telephoto setting, use it. The telephoto lense or setting will give you a close-up with out the risk of distortions or being out of focus because you are too close to your subject.

      • A pen and ink of a jack russell terrier
      "jack russell terrier"
      (watercolor)

    • Take several views of your pet: such as a profile, 3/4 profile, and from the front.

    • Try to get down to the pet's level to take the picture. A picture taken from above gives a distorted view of your pet. If you can not come down to his/her level, place your pet on a table, chair, deck or other object where you can be eye level.

    • The best lighting is outdoors in indirect light. This can be on a cloudy day, in the late afternoon, in the morning about two hours after sunrise, or in the shade on a sunny day. If you take the picture on a sunny day, it helps if both the subject and the photographer are in the shade. Also, be sure that the light source is in front of the subject.

    • Keep your Patience and your sense of humor! This is most important! If your pet knows you are getting frustrated, he is less likely to cooperate.

    • Please DO NOT ask me to do a portrait from a picture taken by a professional photographer. This is copyrighted material and it is unlawful for me to use it without the permission of the photographer.

    Contact Information

    Artist: Stephanie Grimes

    If you need additional help in photographing your pet or if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    e-mail me at

    artisteff@gmail.com.

    or call me at:

    (803) 469-4491

    Pet Portraits by Stephanie Grimes