The best photos to use for drawings/paintings are ones that show the eyes well.  Eyes are what give life to the portrait.  Also, a better picture for a drawing or painting is one with the head slightly turned.  With the play of light and dark, the shape of the nose and other features characteristic of your pet are seen more clearly, opposed to a straight on shot.  In the pictures below, the shot of the boxer on the right is taken straight on.   While the eyes show up well, the characteristic shape of the nose and jaw line is lost.  The picture on the left captures the elements that are needed.

The same principals are evident in the pictures of the cat below as well as another consideration.  The dark color of the hair also plays a part in the loss of features when taken straight on as indicated in the picture on the right.

Your pets physical characteristics are important but so is their spirit.  Don’t forget that special ingredient! The more pictures of your pet the better so as to get a better feeling for its habits and character.