Types of pet portraits available in Wellington (and online)
Pet portraits have become a huge trend, and something I keep seeing pop up all over the internet.
With so many options out there, it can feel a bit overwhelming. So, with my photographer and artist eye, let’s break down what’s available and help you work out what might be the right fit for you.
Realistic vs Stylised
Almost every type of pet portrait falls into one of these two broad categories:
Realistic portraits: capturing your pet’s appearance in detailed accuracy
Stylised portraits: capturing your pet’s essence through a more interpretive or artistic lens
Realistic Pet Portraits
Realistic pet portraits are all about capturing the details that make your pet your pet.
But this isn’t just about appearance; it can also include personality and behaviour. Capturing a knowing look, a playful pose, or a signature “move” you’ve only ever seen them do can all be captured in a realistic style.
Within this category, there are two main types: Photographic Pet Portraits & Realistic Artistic Pet Portraits.
Photographic Pet Portraits
These are portraits taken with a camera by either by a professional photographer or yourself.
Even within photography, there’s a wide range of styles:
Natural / Lifestyle Portraits
Taken in relaxed, familiar environments like the home. These focus on capturing your pet as they naturally are; full of personality and everyday quirks.
Studio Portraits
More controlled, with simple backdrops and intentional lighting. This creates a clean, timeless look with all attention on your pet.
Outdoor Portraits
Taken in parks, beaches, or gardens. These often feel more open and energetic, especially for active pets.
Within each of these, every photographer brings their own perspective and what they focus on. Some may have a current of depicting your pet very regally running through their work, other photographers may be more into playfulness, and some may lean towards capturing more contemplative moments as though capturing your pet deep in thought.
There are also stylistic choices in how images are composed and edited whether that’s strong geometry, light and airy tones, or darker, moodier finishes.
The best way to get a feel for this is to look through a photographer’s body of work and notice the common threads.
Realistic Artistic Pet Portraits
This is where artists recreate your pet using traditional or contemporary art mediums, while still aiming for a strong likeness.
Some common mediums include:
Pencil
Charcoal
Pastel
Watercolour
Acrylic
Oil paint
Collage
Sculpture
Each medium brings its own feel, but the goal remains the same: to capture your pet in detailed, recognisable form.
Photo-Filter or AI Pet Portraits
These are commonly seen in online ads or platforms like Etsy.
They can be a great affordable option for those who like the look of artistic portraits but don’t want to invest in a fully commissioned piece.
However, they can also be a bit of a “too good to be true” situation. Many are marketed as hand-painted works (like watercolour or oil paintings), when they are actually digital filters mimicking those styles.
Some ways to spot the difference:
Artist history: genuine artists take time to build a body of work. A sudden flood of pieces can be a red flag.
Online presence: a consistent website or social media history, with behind the scenes postings of real people and places are often a good sign. However, artists are often busy creating work and aren’t always on top of their online game, so use your judgement there.
Price: while not always definitive, extremely low prices can indicate mass-produced or automated work.
That said, if you go in with your eyes open, these can still be a fun option to experiment with.
Stylised Pet Portraits
Stylised portraits focus less on carbon copy accuracy and more on expression, style, and interpretation.
They still resemble your pet, but the goal isn’t to replicate every detail. Instead, they emphasise things like personality, mood, and artistic flair in ways that realism sometimes can’t.
There are three broad types: Fantasy/Fantasical Pet Portraits, Stylised or Illustrative Pet Portraits, & Abstract, Painterly, or Expressive Pet Portraits.
Fantasy / Fantastical Pet Portraits
These portraits take your pet into imaginative territory.
Common examples include:
Pets depicted as royalty (think Renaissance-style outfits)
Vintage military portraits
Human-body/animal-head compositions
But the possibilities are endless! You could turn your pet into a fairy, a giant roaming your city, or even blend them into a family portrait as if they were one of the kids.
These can be created through photography, painting, or digital methods.
Stylised or Illustrative Pet Portraits
These answer the question: What would my pet look like in the style of…? (even if that style is just in the artists own style if they have very distinctive work).
Created by illustrators, artists, or digital tools, these can include:
Line art
Pop art
Cartoon or anime styles
“Disney-inspired” looks
Custom artist styles
The goal here isn’t realism. It’s creating something fun, expressive, and visually appealing in a style you love.
Abstract, Painterly, or Expressive Portraits
These sit somewhere between realism and abstraction.
While they may still achieve a strong likeness, they don’t aim to replicate every detail. Instead, they combine recognisability with expressive mark-making, movement, and artistic interpretation.
These are often created using the same mediums as realistic portraits (oil, charcoal, watercolour, etc.), but the intent is different.
Rather than perfection, the focus is on:
Energy and movement
Composition
Selective detail vs abstraction
Creating a piece that feels like art, not just a copy
These types of works are often priced higher, as they tend to come from more experienced artists who have developed a distinct style over time. (This would also be true of the artists mentioned above in the stylised/illustrative category if they have their own style, and aren’t aiming to replicate a widely known style).
Many artists in this space don’t explicitly offer commissions, or even focus on pets at all. They’re often creating work in their own style to sell independently.
Commission work can be quite different from that process. It involves more collaboration and back-and-forth with clients, which isn’t something every artist wants to take on.
That said, if you love someone’s work, it can still be worth reaching out to ask. Some artists may be open to it, even if they don’t advertise it.
A good approach is to look for artists who already work in representational styles (portraits, figures, still life), rather than purely abstract artists who may not be interested in or suited to creating likenesses.
This is very similar to how I approach my own portraits; aiming for a balance between capturing a true likeness, while allowing the brushwork and texture to bring through more character and life. Even with my hybrid photographic and painted portraits, where there’s a higher level of accuracy, that expressive, painterly quality still comes through. You’ll notice that in my pet portraits (both oil & Impasto Photography styles), and also my fantastical pet portraits!
How to choose?
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to pet portraits whether you’re after something highly realistic, deeply artistic, or just a bit of fun.
The right choice really comes down to what you value most:
accuracy vs expression
investment vs affordability
timelessness vs novelty
Whatever you choose, the best portraits are the ones that feel like your pet. Not just how they look, but how they feel to you.