Paws & Portraits

From daily walks and weekend adventures to lazy afternoons on the couch, our pets are woven into the fabric of our lives. And, as this year’s adorable entries in County Lines’ Cutest Pet photo contest prove, we want to capture every moment with them. Just take a look at the contest finalists all lined up in this issue, if you don’t believe us.

It’s no surprise, then, that pet portraits are having a moment.

As pets have become essentially members of the family, more owners are looking beyond smartphone snapshots and commissioning professional photographs and custom paintings that capture not only a pet’s likeness but its unique personality and spirit. We talked with local photographers and painters about the growing popularity of pet portraiture, what makes this field so special, and how they create lasting works of art that capture the soul behind every wag, purr and loving gaze.

Capturing Character

For many of us, our phones are overflowing with photos of our pets. I’ll admit mine has almost 2,000 of my cat and dog. As charming as those candid snapshots are, they don’t always reflect the full personality of the animals we love. A professional portrait captures something different: a lasting work of art that celebrates a beloved companion, preserves a moment in time, and embodies the spirit and quirks that make each pet one of a kind.

“I’ve found there are a few reasons people want a professional portrait of their pet,” said West Chester photographer Roman Coia. “Sometimes it’s a senior dog, and they want to capture their buddy while they can. Other people want something more elevated — a statement piece they’ll see every day in their house.”

Coia has photographed dogs throughout his career — artistic shots of pups that catch his eye. But it was his own dogs that inspired him to begin offering professional pet portraits in addition to the human portraits that are part of his photography business. After spending four years fostering rescue dogs — and happily “foster failing” twice — he wanted to find another way to support the rescue community.

Earlier this year, he launched DubC Dog Portraits, creating fineart photos of four-legged friends while donating a portion of every session to local rescue and foster programs. Clients can designate a favorite rescue, support Philly Bully Team — where Coia adopted his own dogs — or choose another deserving organization. He offers studio sessions, on-location shoots and pop-up portrait events throughout the area (follow @DubC.Dogs on Instagram to see where he’s headed next). Horse portraits may be coming soon — stay tuned.

Professional pet portraits capture something that even the best smartphone camera often misses: personality. Whether photographed in the studio, at home, along a favorite trail or in a neighborhood park, the strongest portraits reveal what makes each animal unique. Coia recalls photographing a 17-year-old Chihuahua with wild fur that “looked like he stuck his paw in an electrical socket” and an old Irish setter named Koala in the backyard, his favorite ball clenched in his mouth.

Before every session, Coia schedules a call to learn about each dog’s personality, energy level and temperament. Studio sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes, but the first 15 to 20 minutes are simply for settling in. The dog is free to explore the studio, sniff around and get comfortable with the unfamiliar surroundings and flashing lights before the camera ever comes out.

No two sessions are alike. Some dogs are perfectly happy to sit and pose, while others have their own agenda. “People often tell me, ‘My dog would never sit for a portrait,’” Coia said. “You just have to be patient — we work on their time, not ours.”

To help ensure a successful session, Coia recommends getting pets comfortable with a camera before their appointment. “If you have a camera at home, let your dog get used to having it in their face,” he said. “If it has a shutter sound or flash, even better.” Practicing basic commands like sit and stay can help, too, but patience and a calm demeanor are just as important. “If you’re stressed, they’re going to be stressed,” Coia added.

For many pet owners, a professional portrait becomes both a work of art and a lasting reminder of a well-loved companion. “Our pets are family,” Coia said. “They deserve to be up on the wall with grandma.”

Painting Personality

While a photograph captures a moment in time, a painted portrait offers something different — an artist’s interpretation of a pet’s personality. People have been painting animals for thousands of years, from the cave walls of southern France to the prized hunting dogs and horses of Renaissance nobility. Today, you don’t have to be royalty to commission a portrait of your special companion.

“Recently there’s been a renewed interest in getting dogs painted,” said Linda Harris Reynolds, a fine-art portraitist based in Wilmington. “Suddenly, everyone is getting their dogs painted instead of their children!”

Reynolds has painted portraits of people and pets for more than 35 years. “Someone once said they like painting anything with eyes,” she said. “I love color and personality — and pets are usually full of personality.”

That personality is what Devon artist Janelle Morrison strives to capture, too. “I believe most of an animal’s personality lives in their eyes, nose, and the texture and color of their fur,” she said. “Those are the areas I focus most on.”

What makes a painted portrait so special? For Reynolds, it’s the human touch. “It’s something that somebody does by hand from start to finish,” she said. “It’s more personal, and perhaps a little more expressive — you can infuse the image with some of your own personality.”

The process begins with planning. Morrison typically works from photographs provided by the owner, while Reynolds often prefers taking her own reference photos. Together with the artist, clients decide on the size, pose, background and whether they envision a close-up or full-body portrait.

Many painters share preliminary sketches or progress photos along the way. “I don’t like to surprise people,” Reynolds said. “I want my clients to have a very clear understanding of what the portrait is going to look like.”

For Reynolds, a successful commission is first and foremost a work of art. “It has to look just like the pet, but I also want it to convey a depth of mood and feeling,” she said. “Art is very personal. You can’t just paint anything — you have to connect with what you’re working on.”

That connection is reflected in both artists’ work. One of Reynolds’ most meaningful portraits is “Topsy Turvy,” which depicts her own kitten, curled upside-down on a cushion. Sadly the pet passed away from feline coronavirus just two months after adoption. “It’s just me trying to capture how much we loved that cat,” she said. “I called it ‘Topsy Turvy’ because the cat’s life was so difficult.”

Morrison’s work also carries personal meaning. Her paintings are featured throughout the White Dog Cafe in Chester Springs, where each portrait supported Alpha Bravo Canine, a nonprofit that trains and donates service dogs to veterans. Having her work displayed at a White Dog Cafe was a full-circle moment for her — it was a visit to the restaurant’s Wayne location while in art school that first inspired her to paint dogs.

Today, a cherished painting hangs in the Chester Springs restaurant’s drawing room: a portrait of Morrison’s own dog, Zizou, who passed away last year. “He was the best dog and my first baby before I had my human ones,” she said.

Every pet has a story, a personality and a few unforgettable quirks. Whether captured through the lens of a camera or the strokes of a paintbrush, a thoughtfully crafted portrait celebrates those one-of-a-kind qualities — creating a memento that’s as unique as the companion who inspired it.