If indoors, for a family portrait or pet portrait, good results can be achieved by using natural light and positioning the subject near a window so that light falls half way between the side and the front of the face.  This can often be difficult with a pet portrait, but it can also be well worth the effort. Bear in mind that direct sunlight may cast unwanted shadows onto the face.

If outside, for a family portrait or pet portrait, try to take the photograph with the brightest light falling half way between the side and the front of the subject. Again, bear in mind that direct sunlight may cast unwanted shadows onto the face. By contrast, house photographs are often best taken in full sunlight and the shadows can add interest.

Try to be close enough to the subject you are photographing for it to fill up at least half of the frame. This will mean that there are enough details in the photograph to paint from. However, try not to take the photograph too close to the subject as the camera can distort features at very close distances.

With both family portraits and pet portraits, it is a good idea to take the photograph on the same eye level as the subject you are photographing, so that the subject is looking neither up nor down, but straight at the camera.

Experiment a little with choosing the viewpoint. A three-quarter view is often the most interesting. This is when the subject is turned slightly to one side, but is looking into the lens of the camera. Experiment with the viewpoint to find the one that you like the best.

Try to be aware of how you would like the subject to look.  Is the person, pet or house looking at its best?  Tidy it up, if necessary, so that it looks as you wish it to.

When photographing people, ask for a big smile! The best photographs are often of happy or contented faces.

It is a good idea to take a series of photographs rather than just one, as it is more likely that you will come up with one that you really like.

You are welcome to send me a selection of photographs to choose from, if you wish, and we can decide between us which one will make the best portrait.