Choosing the photo
Start by gathering every photo you can find: your phone, the cloud backup, family members' phones, old social media posts, printed photos. People are often surprised how many more turn up once they ask.
Then look for these, in order of importance:
- The face is in focus. This matters more than anything else. A sharp face with a messy background is far better than a beautiful scene where the eyes are soft.
- It looks like them. The expression you remember, the way the ears sat, the gray on the muzzle in later years. Some families prefer a photo from the pet's prime, others from the last good year. Neither is wrong.
- The face is reasonably large in the frame. A photo where your pet fills a good part of the picture gives the portrait more to work with than a distant shot.
- Decent light. Daylight photos usually work better than flash photos taken at night.
If the best photo is an old print, take a picture of it with your phone in daylight, flat on a table, without glare. If it is a screenshot of a video, pick a frame where the pet was still.
Our guide to the best photo for a pet portrait goes into more detail on focus, light and angles.
When the only photos are imperfect
Many pets have only a handful of good photos, especially older pets or pets from years ago. A few things help:
- Crop before you upload. If the pet is small in the photo, crop it on your phone so the head and shoulders fill most of the image.
- Try more than one photo. You can preview the portrait before paying, and try again if the first result does not feel right.
- Accept small imperfections. A slightly soft photo often still makes a lovely portrait in Watercolor or Storybook, which are gentle styles that do not depend on fine detail.
Which style feels right
There is no correct style for a memorial. It depends on the pet and on the person.
Watercolor is a natural fit for a memorial. It is soft, calm and quiet on the wall. The Watercolor guide shows how it looks on two sample dogs.
Royal suits a pet who had a big personality. A portrait that makes you smile can be a comfort too. See the Royal style guide.
Storybook suits a pet who grew up with the children in the family, and a portrait that will hang in a child's room.
Pop Art and Astronaut are available as well, and some families choose them on purpose, because the pet was funny and loud and the portrait should be too.
Style sample: Pepper, a border collie, in the Watercolor style
Style sample: Goldie, a golden retriever, in the Royal style
Style sample: Noodle, a long haired miniature dachshund, in the Storybook styleGiving a memorial portrait to someone else
A portrait of a pet who has died can be one of the most meaningful gifts for someone grieving. It can also arrive at the wrong moment. A few things to keep in mind:
- Timing. Some people want it right away, others need a few weeks. If you are unsure, a card saying a portrait is on its way gives them a choice about when to open it.
- Finding a photo. Ask a family member, or look through photos the person has shared. Avoid asking the grieving person directly if you want it to be a surprise.
- Choose a gentle style unless you know better. Watercolor is a safe choice. If you knew the pet well and it was a clown, follow your instinct.
- Keep the message simple. The pet's name is often enough.
Free shipping arrives in about 4 to 8 business days after you approve the preview, and faster shipping is available at checkout. Each portrait is framed with a one inch white mat, ready to hang or stand on a shelf with the hardware already installed.
Size and frame for a memorial
The 8 x 10 in size suits a bedside table, a desk or a shelf next to a collar or urn. The 12 x 16 in size suits a wall in a living room or hallway where the family passes every day. Natural wood frames feel warm and personal, white is light and calm, and black is classic. Our size guide has more on choosing.
Updated October 8, 2026