Selecting Photographs

Rule #1: Our greatest portraits come from great photos.

The quality of the photo, is in many cases, the difference between a good portrait and a good portrait that makes you say, "Wow!"

When using non-professional photos follow the guidelines below:

1. Digital photos should be larger than 200 KB;
2. Prints 3" x 5" or larger. 
3. Hair should detailed enough to tell how it's combed.
4. Eye color should be visible from the printed photo.

If your photo does not meet our photo guidelines, we will do the portrait  without extending our money back guarantee.

Even thought our artists have produced amazing life-like portraits using only a photo from a drivers license, most consistent results come from a detailed photo.

More Info: Half or Full Body option.

Choosing the Pose

Please decide on a primary image for the pose.  The artist will not change a facial pose. 

Example: A person who it looking away from the camera can not be changed to look at the camera.

The pose, however, can be used in any setting.

Example: A person in front of a waterfall can be put in front of a building or next to another person.

Special Requests

We can do special requests such as:

• Adding color to a black and white photo

• Combining people from separate photos into one portrait

• Putting clothing from one photo on the figure in another photo

• Adding a unique background

• Adding arms or legs

• Removing a person from the photo

These requests are possible, but advised against due to changing the nature of the subject:

• Removing eyeglasses

• Removing or adding hair

• Removing braces

While all these requests are possible, we do request that you supply all of the photo elements to be painted.  

Example: For a mountainous background portrait, please supply a photo of the mountains as well as a person in a proper pose.

Making a Special Request

When making a special request, please do so at the time of your order.  Please use specific language to describe any changes you would like made.

Example: Please remove the scar on the boy's chin and use light blue in the background.

As a general rule, the more simple, the better.  :-)

Digital Photos

We print your digital photos using a professional digital printer.  For this reason, we require higher quality images than those suitable for screen viewing. 

Please check that your digital photo is:

• Over 100kb and under 5Mb file size
• Has the subjects eye color visible
• Resolution of 640 x 480 or higher

You can scan photos as well using the above settings.  Try Kinkos or Office Max for professional scanning near you.

Example:

If an image at 100%, looks like this, it is too small. The image needs to fill the screen as in example 2.	This image is at 100% and will work great for a portrait.  Notice the eye color is slightly visible.
Sample of image sizes.  Listed are the resolutions and their file sizes, all at 72dpi./ Click the images to see their actual size.
Image Resolution	File size
2200x1443	508 Kb
1024x731	248 Kb
800x571	152 Kb
640x457	97 Kb
200x143	10 Kb

Ordering using Digital Photos

If sending digital photos you can either upload them in step 2 of the check out process or email them to us.

Ordering using Printed Photos

Please finish step 1 of the checkout process and then choose the option to mail photos.