Photo Guidelines

Every portrait I create begins with your photographs. The quality of the finished artwork depends greatly on the images you provide, so I've put together these simple guidelines to help you achieve the best possible result.

What Makes a Great Photograph?

Where possible, please provide photographs that are:

• Clear and in focus
• High resolution (the original file is always best)
• Well lit with faces easy to see
• Unedited and uncropped
• Taken from a natural angle
• Free from heavy filters or screenshots

Don't worry if your photographs are old. I work with many treasured memories that have been carefully kept for years.

Older or Damaged Photographs

Many of my commissions involve older photographs.

If your image has faded, has small tears or has slight damage, I can often improve it during the editing process.

If I feel a photograph may not produce the quality you're hoping for, I'll let you know before I begin.

How I Create Your Portrait

As part of my creative process, I use professional editing software and AI-assisted image tools to help combine, restore and edit the photographs you provide.

These tools may be used for things such as bringing people together naturally, restoring older photographs, adjusting backgrounds, lighting and colour, helping create the final composition, and making the other edits needed to create the portrait you have asked for.

You'll be asked to confirm that you're happy for your photographs to be processed in this way before submitting your enquiry or order.

I remain involved in the creative process and personally review and refine your portrait before it is sent to you for approval.

Photographs of Your Loved One

For the best results, choose a photograph where:

• Their face is clearly visible.
• They are looking towards the camera or slightly to one side.
• Their features aren't covered by hats, sunglasses or shadows.

Photographs of Yourself

If possible, choose a recent photograph that:

• Is taken in good natural lighting.
• Shows your face clearly.
• Matches the angle of your loved one's photograph as closely as possible.

Don't worry if they aren't identical. I'll carefully create a natural composition that brings the images together beautifully.

File Types

I recommend uploading:

• JPG / JPEG
• PNG
• HEIC (from iPhone)

The best way to send them is through the upload boxes on the order form. Your photographs go straight into my private storage, which is safer than email and handles large files comfortably — up to 25MB each, which covers most camera and phone originals.

If a photograph is too large to upload, or you're having any trouble sending it, please contact me and I'll help you find a safe way to get it to me.

Before I Print

You'll receive a preview of your artwork before printing.

I'll make revisions until you're completely happy with the final design.

Printing only begins once you've approved your portrait.

Permission To Use Your Photographs

Please only provide photographs that you have the necessary right or permission to use. If another living adult appears in a photograph, please make sure you have any necessary permission to provide their image for your portrait.

You'll be asked to confirm this when you order, and it takes just a moment. The full wording is in my Terms & Conditions.

Your Privacy Matters

I understand how personal these photographs and memories are.

Your photographs are used to create your commissioned portrait and manage your order. As part of creating your portrait, photographs may be processed using professional editing software and AI-assisted image tools, as explained above.

They may also pass through a small number of trusted service providers that help me operate my website, securely receive and store photographs, create your portrait and deliver your order.

Your original photographs and working files are kept securely while your order is being created and are normally deleted within 90 days of your order being completed, unless you have asked me to keep them for longer or I am legally required to retain them.

Your finished portrait is never shown on my website, social media or in my marketing unless you have given permission for that when you order. Saying no changes nothing about your order.

Permission to share your finished portrait does not include your original photographs. Those are only ever shown as a before-and-after example where you have separately agreed to it.

The full detail is in my Privacy Policy.

Need Advice?

If you're unsure which photographs to choose, don't worry.

Simply upload the images you have, and I'll guide you through the process. Even if your photographs are old or imperfect, I'll always do my best to create a portrait you'll treasure for years to come.