Multiple Pets? How to Choose Who to Paint First (Or Commission a Family Portrait)

You have two dogs, a cat, and a rabbit. You love them all equally. So when you decide to commission a custom pet portrait, the first question is always the same: Who do I paint first?

It's a question we hear every day at Bolapawzi. Here's our honest advice.

Start with the Pet Who Needs It Most

If one of your pets is a senior, has a health condition, or you simply feel that time is precious with them right now — start there. A portrait is a way of saying: this moment matters, and I want to hold onto it. The pets who are in their golden years often make the most soulful, moving portraits.

Start with the Pet Who's Hardest to Photograph

Some pets are natural models. Others never sit still, always look away, or have fur that's notoriously difficult to capture on camera. If you have a pet like this, commission their portrait while you still have a good reference photo — before they get even harder to photograph!

Start with the Pet Who's Been Waiting Longest

Sometimes the answer is simple: you've been meaning to get a portrait of your first dog for years, and then a second dog arrived. Honor the original. They've been patiently waiting.

Or — Commission a Multi-Pet Family Portrait

If you truly can't choose, you don't have to. Our multi-pet portraits bring all your furry family members together in one beautiful artwork. Two dogs, a dog and a cat, three cats — we've painted them all.

Multi-pet portraits work best when you have good individual photos of each pet, even if they were never photographed together. Our artists are skilled at composing natural-looking group portraits from separate reference images.

What Makes a Great Reference Photo

Whichever pet you choose, the quality of your reference photo directly impacts the quality of your portrait:

• Natural, even lighting — avoid harsh flash or deep shadows
• Eye-level shots — photos taken at your pet's height create the most engaging portraits
• Sharp focus on the face — especially the eyes, which are the soul of any portrait
• Personality captured — the best photos show what makes your pet uniquely them

Our Process

1. Artist Assignment — we match your project with an artist whose style fits your vision
2. Initial Sketch — within 3–5 days, you'll receive a preliminary sketch for approval
3. Revisions — request changes until it's perfect; revisions are always free
4. Final Painting — once approved, your artist completes the full portrait
5. Delivery — carefully packaged and shipped with tracking

Our Satisfaction Guarantee

We're not happy unless you're thrilled. That's why we offer unlimited revisions and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don't love your portrait, we'll keep working on it until you do.