What background works best for your pet portrait?

The background of a portrait can really make a huge impact on the style and mood of your pet portrait. Its important to choose a background that suits exactly what you're looking for in a portrait.
Take the time to ask yourself these questions:

• Where is this portrait going to be hung?
  
• Do I want my pet to look regal and sophisticated, or relaxed and playful?
  
• Do I want to include a location or image that has sentimental meaning?
  
• What do I want this portrait to say about my pet?

Your answers to these questions will help to determine the color, style, and detail that is to be used in your background. Let's start with the 2 different types of backgrounds you can choose from: Classic and Custom.

Classic Background

A classic background is either a single solid color, or a gradient of two similar colors. Here are some examples:

Burnt Sienna Gradient

Solid Black

A "classic" background is typically recommended when the reference photo does not have an appealing background. For example, if your favorite photo of Fluffy was taken in front of your junk pile in the garage, you might want to consider a classic background to give you a more sophisticated pet portrait.

Classic backgrounds often work best with photos that have very dramatic lighting. In the portraits above, both dogs have very distinct highlights around the profile (outline). These highlights help the faces to POP off the paper. 
This background also works very well with very close up photos, typically from the chest/neck - up.

See how much better this portrait looks without my crazy car in the background?

Does the background have any significance?
Is the background visually appealing?
Does it fit the room you plan to display your portrait in?

If you answered NO to these questions, then a classic background should compliment your photo well!

Custom Background

A custom background is any scene that includes detail such as landscapes or still life elements. Here are some examples:

Detailed Foreground

Landscape Background

A "custom" background is included when the reference photo(s) were taken in a location that either A. lends itself to a beautiful portrait or B. has significance to the pet or the owner. Both portraits above have backgrounds that were taken directly from the reference photos. Any background can be substituted with a custom image.

Sometimes I will recommend against using the background in the photo. This is usually the case if the background clashes with the portrait's composition, or if the background is so detailed or colorful that it will be distracting from the actual pet portrait itself. This is a rarity, though. 

This photo below had a background that made for a stunning portrait! It is colorful, but very soft and subtle.

A custom background is recommended if:
The photo was taken in a significant location
The portrait is to include a larger area than chest - up
The background creates a mood for the portrait

Remember - if you have a photo of your background separate from the photo of your pet, they can be combined into one portrait!

Deciding on a background that suits your portrait is one of many details that will be discussed upon commissioning your portrait. In most cases, a mock image of your portrait will be created and sent to you via email prior to the portrait process.  When necessary, multiple mock images can be provided to show differences in colors and composition.  This will further guarantee that your portrait will depict your pet exactly the way you'd like!