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Pet portrait preparation

A brilliant mug starts with
the right photo.

You do not need a professional camera or a perfectly behaved pet. A clear phone photo with good light is usually exactly what we need.

1. Find soft, bright light

Photos taken near a window or outdoors in open shade reveal coat colour, eye colour and facial markings without harsh shadows. Avoid a bright window directly behind your pet because it can turn the face into a silhouette.

2. Meet them at eye level

Kneel, sit or hold the camera near your pet’s eye line. This avoids an exaggerated top-of-head angle and helps their expression feel natural.

3. Check the eyes and nose

Zoom in before uploading. The eyes, nose and distinctive markings should look sharp. A little background blur is fine; motion blur across the face is harder to recover.

4. Keep the important bits in frame

Both ears, the top of the head and the outer whiskers are useful. If your favourite photo is cropped, send it anyway—we can tell you whether it will work before anything is printed.

5. Use the original image

Original phone and camera files contain more detail than screenshots or photos saved from messaging apps and social media.

Still unsure?

Email your photo to hello@petalltime.com.au. We can check it before you order.

Multiple pets

Choose a clear photo of each pet if you do not have one good group photo. A second pet can be added for $10. For three or more pets, contact us so we can check that the composition will remain readable on a mug.