You do not need a professional photo to start creating your Pixel Buddy. A clear phone photo is enough to use as a reference.
The goal is not to find the most polished image on your phone. A good reference should help show what your pet normally looks like while still feeling familiar to you.
This guide explains what to look for, when to use more than one photo, and how to add information when a picture cannot show everything clearly.
Start With Photos You Already Have
Before taking new pictures, look through the photos you already have. Everyday images from home, walks, playtime, or quiet moments can be useful because they often show your pet in a natural way.
What matters most is whether the image gives a clear enough view to use as a reference. A simple phone photo can work well when the pet is easy to see.
If you already have one favorite picture, keep it in mind even if it is not perfect. You can combine it with another photo later instead of trying to find one image that shows every part of your pet.
What Makes a Useful Reference Photo?
A useful reference photo should make the pet easy to see without too much guessing. The image does not need perfect lighting, but a few basic things can make the reference much clearer.
Easy to See
Your pet should take up enough space in the photo. If the picture is taken from very far away, useful details may be difficult to see.
Natural Lighting
Daylight or a bright room usually shows colors more clearly than a very dark photo or strong colored lighting.
Not Too Blurry
A little movement is fine, but the face and body should still be easy to recognize without heavy motion blur.
A clear photo is easier to use than one that is very blurry, dark, or cropped too closely.
Filters can also change the way fur or eye colors look. If a favorite photo uses a strong filter, keep it as an extra reference and add another image with more natural colors.
Use More Than One Photo When Needed
One photo does not have to show everything. A front-facing image may show the face clearly but hide the tail or markings on one side of the body. A second picture can provide the missing information.
A simple reference set can include one clear face photo, one wider photo, and one everyday picture that you like. The images do not need to be taken on the same day or from the same angle.
A Simple Reference Set
Use different photos for different information. One can show the face, another can show the body or markings, and a favorite everyday photo can show the pet in a familiar moment.
This is especially useful when your favorite photo is older, slightly cropped, or taken in less-than-perfect lighting. You can still keep that picture while using another one for clearer details.
Choose a Photo That Feels Like Your Pet
A technically clear photo is useful, but the best reference does not have to look like a formal portrait. Sometimes an everyday photo feels more accurate because it shows the way your pet normally looks and behaves.
Your cat may always make the same serious expression. Your dog may have a certain way of sitting or waiting by the door. A photo of one of these ordinary moments can feel more familiar than a perfectly posed image.
When you have several usable photos, choose one that makes you immediately think, “That really looks like my pet.” This can make the final result feel more personal.
The important thing is to balance usefulness with familiarity: the pet should be easy to see, but the image should also feel natural to you.
Add Information the Photo Cannot Show
Even a good photo may not show every detail. A marking may only appear on one side, part of the tail may be hidden, or lighting may make the fur look darker than it does in real life.
In these cases, another photo or a short note can help. You might explain that one paw is white, that a marking continues around the back, or that the pet is smaller than it appears because of the camera angle.
Keep these notes simple. Their purpose is only to provide information that is difficult to understand from the main reference image.
Once your reference photos are ready, you can learn what happens next in our Pixel Art guide . It explains how recognizable pet features are simplified into a pixel character.
Before You Choose Your Final References
Before moving on, check that your reference set gives enough information without becoming complicated.
- Can you see your pet clearly without zooming in too much?
- Do the colors look close to how your pet normally looks?
- Are important parts hidden, cropped, or covered?
- Would another photo help show something the main image misses?
- Does at least one photo feel natural and familiar to you?
Ready to Create Your Pixel Buddy?
Choosing reference photos does not need to be complicated. A few clear everyday pictures can provide enough information to get started, especially when they show different parts of the same pet.
To learn more about the idea behind the character itself, read Pixel Buddy: A Digital Way to Keep Your Pet Close .
Ready to Use Your Pet Photos?
Gather the reference photos that work best for your pet, then start creating your own Pixel Buddy.
Create My Buddy