Image guidelines
We want to make sure you're happy with your custom portrait! View our image guidelines below to ensure your artwork is picture perfect.
Not sure if your photo will work? You can still place your order and either upload your images now or later. Our artists can review your photos once received and let you know if anything needs changing.
We understand it’s not always possible to follow every guideline, and in most cases, we can still create your custom portrait without issue.
Still unsure? Feel free to email your image to us (support@welhamandco.com) and we'll happily take a look.
Any questions? Check out our FAQ page here.
Photos for a house portrait
The image you upload is the most important part of your order. Let's make sure your house photo is the right fit!
The image you upload is the most important part of your order and crucial to the quality of the final house portrait. Let’s review the following guidelines to make sure your artwork is picture perfect:
- Upload or take a photo of your house during daylight
- Use a smartphone or high quality camera
- Avoid any large shadows on the house
- Please avoid using any filters to ensure we can color your house correctly
- Close garage doors
- Remove any cars from the driveway and/or front of the house
- Tidy up the front yard
- Hide rubbish and trash cans
- Remove any visible garden or water hoses
- The best photos are taken front-on to the house from either the end of the driveway or street
- Unless you have ordered a sketch portrait, we cannot accept black & white or scanned photos
- Not able to take a photo of the house yourself? We also accept images from real estate websites (eg. Zillow) and Google Street View (Google Maps)
- Please note: Everything shown in the image you upload will be painted in your final house portrait, unless you ask your artist to leave it out. In some cases we are able to remove small items such as trash cans or water hoses (you can mention this in the notes with your photo), however your house should look the way you would like it to be painted.
Good Example

- House has been captured front-on
- Image taken in daylight hours with minimal shadows
- Cars have been moved out of the driveway
- Tidy front yard
Good Example

- Photo has been taken front-on from street
- Image taken in daylight hours
- No cars in the image
- Neat front yard
Bad Example
- Most of the house is out of view
- Photo has been taken on an angle to the house
- Overgrown front yard
Bad Example

- Filter used on photo
- Garage door is open
- Car in driveway
Not sure?
Email your image to us (support@welhamandco.com) and we can assess your photo. We understand it's not always possible to follow all of the guidelines above.
Generally, our digital artists can still create your house portrait.
Photos for a family portrait
Your custom family portrait will be a keepsake of everyone you love. Let's make sure your family photos are suitable!
Your photo tells the story of your family - and we’re here to help you turn it into a treasured keepsake.
Our artists can work with most photos - so don’t worry if yours isn’t flawless. That said, if you want to get the very best results, the tips below will help you choose a photo that truly brings your family portrait to life.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
- Use a photo taken in daylight or a well-lit room - natural lighting works best.
- Avoid using filters - they can affect how we color your portrait.
- Make sure faces and features are clearly visible - no one cropped or cut off.
- Old or low-resolution photos are okay - send them through, and your artist will tell you if the detail isn't there.
- Want to combine photos from different people or moments?
Send a photo of each person: your artist sketches everyone together first, and you add each extra person or pet as you order. - Don’t worry about the background - it won’t be included in your final portrait (unless you'd like us to keep it).
- We generally can’t use black & white or scanned photos, but feel free to send them in - we’ll do our best to work with what you have.
Good Example

- Photo taken in daylight hours with minimal shadows
- Clear, high resolution image
Good Example

- Photo taken in daylight hours with all faces visible
- High resolution image
Bad Example

- Scanned photo
- Heavy shadows and dark lighting
- Not all faces are visible
Bad Example

- Dark lighting
- Blurred image
Not sure if your photo will work?
You don’t need the perfect photo to place your order - we can work with most images thanks to our talented artists.
- Upload your photo(s) now or later
- See your artwork before you pay
- Email us anytime (support@welhamandco.com) and we'll be happy to take a look.
Let us help you bring your family’s story to life. Our artists are skilled at working with all kinds of photos - old, new, imperfect, and in-between. Chances are, we can work with yours too.
Photos for a memorial portrait
The photo of the person you've lost is the most important part of your order. We want to make sure they're remembered in the best light.
Whether you're honouring a parent, grandparent, soulmate or friend, our artists work with care, sensitivity, and powerful tools to bring your tribute to life.
We know that sometimes the only photo you have is far from perfect - and that’s okay. Our talented artists can work with almost any image, even older or sentimental ones. But if you’d like to give your artwork the best possible start, the tips below will help ensure we capture your loved one beautifully.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
- Try to choose a daytime photo, or one taken in a brightly lit room.
- Avoid photos that are very dark, blurry, or have strong shadows across the face.
- Filters can distort skin tones - we recommend using unedited photos where possible.
- Make sure your loved one’s face and features are clear and not cropped out.
- Old or low-resolution photos are okay - send them through, and your artist will tell you if the detail isn't there.
- Want to add angel wings? Just choose angel wings when you order, and your artist will paint them in.
- Want to include more people from different photos? Send a photo of each, and add each extra person or pet as you order.
- Don't worry about the background of your photo - your artist will paint a new one in the final portrait.
- While we can’t always use black & white or very old scanned images, you’re welcome to send them to us, and we’ll see what we can do.
Good Example

- Photo taken in daylight hours with minimal shadows
- Clear, high resolution image
Good Example

- Person is facing the camera
- High resolution image
Bad Example

- Face is not clearly visible
- Black and white scanned photo
- Poor lighting
Bad Example

- Scanned photo
- Person not looking at the camera
Not sure if your photo will work?
You don’t need the perfect photo to place your order - we can work with most images thanks to our talented artists.
- Upload your photo(s) now or later
- See your artwork before you pay
- Email us anytime (support@welhamandco.com) and we'll be happy to take a look.
Let us help you create a meaningful tribute, even if your photo isn’t perfect. We’ve created portraits from all kinds of images - and chances are, we can work with yours too.
Photos for a favorite place portrait
Your custom portrait will be a lasting artwork of a special place you and your family hold dear. We want to make sure your photo is picture perfect!
Our artists can work with almost any photo - even the imperfect ones. But if you want to give your portrait the best possible starting point, the tips below will help you choose a photo that shows your special place at its best.
Whether it’s the beach where you got engaged, a cozy café from your travels, or a spot that simply holds a special place in your heart - your photo helps us turn that memory into a meaningful portrait you’ll treasure forever.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
- Choose a photo that clearly shows the main view or angle of the place
- Photos taken from a centered or straight-on perspective work best
- Avoid extreme close-ups - try to capture as much of the scene as possible
-
Avoid using filters - they can distort colors or clarity
- Old or low-resolution photos are okay - send them through, and your artist will tell you if the detail isn't there.
Good Example

- Photo taken in daylight hours with minimal shadows
- Clear, high resolution image
Good Example

- Photo taken in daylight hours
- Clear, high resolution image
Bad Example

- Heavy shadows
- Dark lighting
Bad Example

- Photo taken at night
- Blurred image
Not sure if your photo will work?
We know it’s hard to tell — but chances are, we can work with yours too.
- Upload your photo(s) now or later
- See your artwork before you pay
- Email us anytime (support@welhamandco.com) and we'll be happy to take a look.
It’s not about capturing every detail - it’s about holding on to a place that means the world to you.
Photos for a pet portrait
Your custom portrait will create a lasting memory of your furry friend. Let's make sure your pet photo is picture perfect.
Pets are family, and there's no better way to celebrate their personality and love than with a custom portrait that honors them forever. Whether it's your playful puppy, loyal cat, or beloved pet that’s passed, a custom portrait is a tribute you can keep for years.
Our artists can work with almost any photo, but the following tips will help ensure we can capture your pet in the best possible light for a portrait that truly reflects their spirit.
Helpful Tips for the Best Pet Portrait
- Choose a well-lit photo: Make sure your pet’s face is clearly visible. Natural daylight or a brightly lit room works best - the better the light, the better your portrait will turn out!
- Focus on your pet’s face: We need to see your pet’s face clearly — make sure it’s not too close to the camera and that there are no large shadows hiding their features.
- Keep your pet’s face in frame: Ensure their face and neck are visible in the image, and avoid cutting off their face or cropping too much.
- Avoid using filters: Filters can affect the way we color your portrait, so we recommend using an unfiltered photo for the best results.
- Capture them at eye level: If possible, aim to get a shot of your pet looking directly at the camera at eye level. This ensures we can capture their personality perfectly.
- Outfits & accessories: Collars, leashes, and outfits will be included in your portrait unless you specify otherwise. If you'd like to remove items such as a collar, tag, or leash, please mention this in your order notes.
Good Example

- Pet facing camera at eye level
- Image taken in brightly lit room with minimal shadows
- Face and neck are clearly visible
- High resolution
Good Example

- Pet facing camera at eye level
- Image taken outdoors with great lighting
- Face and neck are clearly visible
Bad Example

- Neck is not visible
- Low lighting and heavy shadows
Bad Example

- Pet laying down
- Head and neck are not completely visible (cropped)
- Heavy shadows
What Matters Most
Your pet’s personality is the star of the show! The background and surroundings don’t need to be perfect. Our talented artists can bring your pet into focus and create a beautiful portrait regardless of the background. Simply choose the best shot of your furry friend, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Not sure if your photo will work?
Don't worry! If you're unsure, just send us your pet's photo - chances are, we can work with yours too.
- Upload your photo(s) now or later
- See your artwork before you pay
- Email us anytime (support@welhamandco.com) and we'll be happy to take a look.
Even if your photo's not paw-fect, we’ll do our best to make it paw-trait-worthy!
Photos for a couple portrait
The image you upload is the most important part of your order. We want to make sure your love is expressed perfectly.
The image you upload is the most important part of your order and crucial to the quality of the final couple portrait. Let’s review the following guidelines to make sure your artwork is picture perfect:
- Upload a clear, high resolution photo (landscape or portrait)
- 2-person couple photos only
- Avoid photos taken at night or with dark lighting
- Please avoid using any filters to ensure we can color your portrait correctly
- Ensure faces are not cut off or cropped out of the image
- Make sure everything you would like shown in the artwork is visible in the image
- The best photos are from a side-on angle to the couple with at least half of the body visible (waist-up)
- Unless you have ordered a sketch portrait, we cannot accept black & white or scanned photos
- Please note: Everything shown on the couple in the uploaded image will be painted in your final couple portrait. In some cases we are able to remove or change small items, however your photo should look the way you would like it to be painted.
Good Example

- Image taken in daylight hours with minimal shadows
- Couple shown from waist-up
- High resolution
Good Example

- Image taken in daylight hours with natural lighting
- Couple is shown from waist-up
- Side-on angle
- High resolution
Bad Example

- Selfie photo
- Body is not visible
Bad Example

- Photo is too close up and is from shoulders-up only
- Faces have been cut off
Not sure?
Email your image to us (support@welhamandco.com) and we can assess your photo. We understand it's not always possible to follow all of the guidelines above.
Generally, our digital artists can still create your custom couple portrait.
Photos for a wedding portrait
Your wedding is one of the most memorable moments of your life. Let's make sure your wedding photo is picture perfect.
The image you upload is the most important part of your order and crucial to the quality of the final wedding portrait. Let’s review the following guidelines to make sure your artwork is picture perfect:
- Upload a clear, high resolution photo (landscape or portrait)
- 2-person couple photos only
- Avoid photos taken at night or with dark lighting
- Please avoid using any filters to ensure we can color your portrait correctly
- Ensure faces are not cut off or cropped out of the image
- Make sure everything you would like shown in the artwork is visible in the image
- The best photos are from a side-on angle to the wedding couple with at least half of the body visible (waist-up)
- Unless you have ordered a sketch portrait, we cannot accept black & white or scanned photos
- Please note: Everything shown on the couple in the uploaded image will be painted in your final wedding portrait. In some cases we are able to remove or change small items, however your photo should look the way you would like it to be painted.
Good Example

- Image taken in daylight hours with minimal shadows
- Couple shown from waist-up
- High resolution
Good Example

- Image taken in daylight hours with natural lighting
- Couple is shown from waist-up
- Side-on angle
- High resolution
Bad Example

- Photo is too close up and body is not visible
- Faces have been cut off
- Filter used on photo
Bad Example

- Image has been cropped too close and is from shoulders-up only
- Umbrella in background creates a dark shadow with poor lighting
Not sure?
Email your image to us (support@welhamandco.com) and we can assess your photo. We understand it's not always possible to follow all of the guidelines above.
Generally, our digital artists can still create your wedding portrait.