Breeds & coats
The coat is the signature
What we look for in every pattern, and how to photograph it for a true likeness.
Dogs
Dapple Dachshund
Dapple is a merle pattern in dachshunds: darker spots scattered over a lighter base, often with tan points on the brows,…
Merle Australian Shepherd
Blue and red merle Aussies have marbled patches over a grey or red base, often with white collars and copper points. The…
Brindle Boxer
Brindle is a tiger-stripe pattern of dark streaks over fawn. Density ranges from light 'tiger' to reverse brindle that r…
Brindle French Bulldog
Brindle Frenchies range from seal to tiger brindle, often with a white chest bib. The bat ears and wrinkle pattern carry…
Black & White Border Collie
Border collies wear their identity in the white: blaze width, collar shape, socks and tail tip.…
Golden Retriever
Goldens vary from pale cream to deep red, with feathering, a soft expression and, for seniors, a frosted muzzle we never…
Black Labrador
Black coats are the hardest to photograph and paint: detail lives in subtle highlights.…
German Shepherd
Saddle pattern, mask and ear set define a shepherd's look.…
Pit Bull & Staffy
Blue, fawn, brindle or piebald, often with a white chest. Broad smiles and cropped or natural ears.…
Senior Dogs
Grey muzzles, cloudy eyes and a softened stance are part of the story.…
Cats
Tabby Cat
Classic, mackerel, spotted and ticked tabbies all share the forehead M, but the stripe structure differs on every cat.…
Lynx Point Cat
Lynx point (tabby point) cats have a pale body with tabby-striped points on the face mask, ears, legs and tail, and almo…
Calico Cat
Calico is white with patches of orange and black (or dilute cream and blue). Patch placement is unique as a fingerprint.…
Tuxedo Cat
Black-and-white tuxedos are defined by their white: the bib, socks and the 'mustache' on the muzzle.…
Polydactyl Cat
Polydactyl cats have extra toes, often 6 or 7 per paw. Most portraits quietly 'correct' them. We would never.…
Orange Tabby Cat
From pale cream to deep marmalade, orange tabbies carry bold stripes and freckled noses.…
Siamese Cat
Seal, chocolate, blue and lilac points on a pale body, with sapphire eyes.…
Maine Coon
Ear tufts, ruff and a plumed tail; size and fluff matter.…
Black Cat
A good black-cat portrait keeps the sheen and the eye colour bright.…
Odd-Eyed Cat (Heterochromia)
Odd-eyed cats, often white, have one blue eye and one gold or green.…