How to Take a good reference photo

So you’ve decided to commission a painting, great! The next step is choosing (or taking) a photo of the car you want painted. Here are a few tips to get the best angle and composition to get a truly unique painting.

Quality

The quality is the most important aspect when selecting a photo. Of course, a photo from a DSLR camera would be best, but I know not everyone has the time or money to invest in one (or hire a photographer). Luckily, a lot of smart phones have good quality cameras in them and can also take photos high quality enough to use as a reference. If you’re unsure if a photo from your phone is high enough quality, take the photo and then zoom in as far as you can—some pixelation is okay but just know that that’s how I’ll see and paint the car; I can only do so much with pixels on a screen.

Choose the Right Time of Day

Light makes all the difference.

• Golden hour—right after sunrise or right before sunset—creates soft, flattering lighting with fewer harsh reflections.

• Avoid shooting at midday, when the sun is directly overhead and can wash out details.

Clean the Car (Even Quickly!)

A quick wash, or at least a wipe-down of the hood and doors, helps capture clean reflections and crisp body lines. Dust and smudges can distract from the overall form in the final painting (especially in places like reflective bumpers).

Pick a Simple Background

If you chose a higher tier that includes a background, taking the photo isn’t anything fancy—just avoid clutter.
Look for:

• An empty parking lot

• A quiet street

• A clean or empty garage

• Open fields or neutral walls.

Take Multiple Angles

Even if you already know which angle you want, it helps to provide options:

• ¾ front angle (most popular and dynamic)

• Side profile

• Rear ¾ angle

• Close-ups of wheels, headlights, or custom details

• A full walk-around video is extremely helpful too

Give Yourself Space

Step back farther than you think! Standing too close distorts the car’s proportions.
Try to stand 10–20 feet back, then zoom in slightly if needed. This creates a more natural, accurate perspective.

Mind the Reflections

Cars are basically giant mirrors. Try:

• Avoiding busy environments that reflect random objects

• Adjusting your angle to reduce glare from the sun

• Wearing neutral clothing (so your bright shirt doesn’t show up on the door panel!)

Shoot at Eye Level With the Car

Lower angles create dramatic, powerful shots. Instead of shooting from your own eye level, crouch down so the camera is around headlight height. This perspective works extremely well in paintings.

Take More Photos Than You Think You Need

I love having choices. Take at least 15–30 photos, shifting slightly each time. The perfect shot is usually the one you almost didn’t take. Send as many as you want but if there are some you’re particularly fond of, let me know!

Final Tip: Don’t Stress—Just Have Fun

Reference photos don’t need to be perfect. I can adjust lighting, remove background clutter, and tweak proportions as needed. What matters most is capturing the car in a way that feels like you.

If you want help choosing the best photo for your painting, feel free to send over a few options—I’m always happy to guide you!