Choose clarity over a dramatic setting
Look for a well-lit face with visible eyes, ears and coat markings. A photo taken near a window or outside in even daylight can work well. Avoid heavy shadows, bright flash glare and motion blur.
Choose the original photo rather than a screenshot of a screenshot, when possible. A distant pet in a large landscape gives the cover process less facial detail to work with.
Frame the pet, not just the moment
A portrait at roughly eye level usually shows the face more clearly than a steep overhead angle. Leave some room around the head and ears rather than cutting them off tightly. A single-pet portrait is easier to interpret than a group photo in which the intended subject is ambiguous.
- Can you see the eyes and face clearly?
- Are distinctive markings visible?
- Are ears and important features inside the frame?
- Is it obvious which pet the book is about?
Avoid changing the features you want preserved
Heavy beauty filters, stickers and strong color effects can hide or alter the details you are trying to capture. If your pet has a particular marking or physical difference that matters, describe it in the profile as well as showing it in the photo.
Cover artwork is a creative interpretation, not an exact photographic reproduction. Review the actual cover options for likeness, readable lettering and overall style before selecting one.
Use a photo you have permission to share
For a gift, get the image from someone entitled to share it. Avoid uploading unrelated people, private documents or sensitive background details. Customer images are used for the private creation process and are not automatically added to a public gallery.