A painted memorial portrait of the pet you lost, made from a single photo — even an older or lower-quality one. Preview is free; you only pay if it feels right.
A memorial portrait is different from other pieces we make. It isn't a gift you give someone; it's something you keep. The tone matters more than the medium. The photo you choose matters more than the size. The honest guidance below is meant for anyone considering commissioning one for a pet they've lost — including the questions people are often too tired to ask.
What we can work with
Any photo. Really.
Most families searching for a memorial portrait don't have a curated shot ready — they have whatever they have. That's OK. Our studio works with older photos, phone snaps, screenshots from a video, and shots that would never make it to a frame in a happier context. The paint amplifies what's there.
- Older photos — a 2010 iPhone snap, a scanned print from the '90s, a shot pulled from Facebook. If the eyes are visible and the pet is in reasonable focus, we can render it.
- Lower resolution — 800px on the short edge is a comfortable minimum. Below that, we can still try, but we'll tell you before you commit if the source won't yield a satisfying painting.
- The only photo you have — sometimes that's the reality. If you're not sure whether it'll work, upload it and see the free preview first. No card required; no expectation to buy.
- Multiple photos — some people combine two: a face from one, a pose from another. We can accommodate that in a custom prompt. Reach out to Otis on-site if you want us to sanity-check the plan before you commit.
Which styles families choose most
There's no right answer, but three styles come up more than others for memorial portraits:
- Classic OilWarm, timeless. Reads as "the painting that will hang above the mantel for the rest of the family's life." Least trendy — safest bet if you're unsure.
- Charcoal SketchGraphite and shadow on fine paper. Intimate, restrained. The right register when color feels too loud for how you're feeling.
- WatercolorSoft, airy, hopeful. Some families find the warmth easier to look at daily than a more literal medium.
Every style is available on the memorial path — Renaissance, Impressionist, Pop Art, Cinematic, and Comic Book are all yours if that's what matches your pet's spirit. There's no "right" style for a memorial. There's the style that, when you look at it, makes you feel closer to them.
See the portrait before you decide anything. It's free, in about 40 seconds.
Try the free preview →The framing decision
Most memorial portraits ship as museum-mounted framed prints — behind acrylic glazing, matted in snow white, framed in a wood finish you choose. The frame becomes part of the piece; the mat gives the portrait breathing room; the glazing keeps it safe from decades of dust and sun.
A few families choose:
- Framed giclée — the most common. Anchors a mantel, a hallway, or a bedroom. Eight frame finishes (black, walnut, oak, natural, white, etc.). $179–$299 depending on size.
- Gallery canvas — no frame, wrap edge. Warmer register than framed. Good for a piece that doesn't need to feel "formal." $79–$179.
- Fine-art print — poster-only. For families who want to frame it themselves in a piece of furniture they already own, or gift multiple prints to siblings/family. $49–$85.
- Charcoal on paper — best matched with a matted frame in a neutral wood or black. The graphite quality reads more like a hand-drawn piece with real matting than any other combination.
If you'd like a specific frame finish to match existing decor, all eight are visible in the shop. If you'd rather leave it to us, Otis (our AI concierge) will suggest a finish based on the room you're planning to hang it in.
How long it takes
The preview is instant — about 40 seconds after upload. Framed prints are made-to-order by our print partner Prodigi on 200gsm archival paper and ship in about 3–5 business days. Total time from upload to delivery is usually 5–10 days depending on your location. If you're on a specific timeline (anniversary, birthday, service date), Otis can quote you a firm delivery estimate before you order.
What it costs
- Preview: free — a full-resolution painted portrait, no card.
- Photo print: from $14.95 — Fujifilm C-type paper, ships flat.
- Fine-art print (poster): $49–$85.
- Gallery canvas: $79–$179.
- Framed print: $179–$299 depending on size and finish.
- Every print ships with the hi-res digital file included free — text it, post it, or print it wherever you like.
- Free US & Canada shipping on every framed order.
- 30-day guarantee — if the finished piece doesn't feel right, we'll refund or remake.
Common questions
My only photo is really old / low quality. Will it work?
Often yes. Upload it and try the free preview — no card, no commitment. If the source truly can't produce a portrait you'd want to keep, the preview will show you that before you spend anything. Reach out to Otis on-site if you'd like a human sanity-check before you upload.
Can I combine two photos — one for the face, one for the pose?
Yes. Use the custom-prompt option in the studio, or message Otis with both photos and describe what you want (e.g., "the face from Photo A, sitting the way Photo B shows"). We'll walk you through it.
Can I get more than one print?
Yes. Families sometimes order the same portrait for siblings, parents, or extended family. Order additional prints from the studio session — the studio saves your session so you don't need to re-upload.
Will you send updates while it's being made?
Yes. You'll get an email when the preview is ready, when the order is placed with Prodigi, when it enters production, and when it ships (with tracking).
What if I don't love the finished portrait?
30-day guarantee. We'll refund or remake — whichever feels right. We'd rather you have something you love than something you're stuck with.
Can I add my pet's name and dates to the print?
Yes. In the studio there's a text option — you can add a name, dates, or a short line ("Good boy. Always."). It's typeset in the same style as the portrait, sized to sit at the bottom without competing with the image.
Is there a way to see other memorial portraits customers have ordered?
Some are shared on our testimonials page (opt-in only — we never publish a family's memorial portrait without permission). If you'd like to see specific examples, message Otis.
