SHADY TATTOO
PLBook a tattoo

How to prepare reference photos for a tattoo

Tattoo of a winged sword with a crescent moon and stars on the arm, black ink – SHADY TATTOO Wieluń

By the SHADY TATTOO team · 21 October 2026

In short: a good reference photo is sharp (especially the eyes), in its original resolution, unfiltered, taken in soft daylight, and the subject fills a large part of the frame. Ideally, send several shots to choose from.

A reference photo is the foundation of the design. With a realistic tattoo – a portrait of a loved one or a pet – the quality of the photo largely decides the quality of the tattoo. An artist can’t invent details that aren’t visible in the photo. So it’s worth taking a moment to choose or take a good one. Here are some practical tips.

Why the photo matters so much

In realism and black & grey, the artist recreates light, shadow, and the texture of skin or fur. If the eyes are blurred and half the face is lost in shadow, the design has to “guess” those areas – and the likeness suffers. A good photo saves time at the design stage and gives a better result.

Realistic black and grey portrait of Harley Quinn on the chest – SHADY TATTOO Wieluń

What makes a good reference photo

Sharpness

The most important quality. In a portrait, the eyes in particular must be sharp. Zoom in on screen – if the lashes and irises are blurry up close, look for another photo.

Resolution

Send the original file – not a screenshot, and not a photo sent through a messaging app that compresses images. If you can, send it as a document or via cloud storage.

Lighting

Soft, directional daylight is best – e.g. by a window, without harsh sun. Clear but gentle shadows help convey depth. Avoid:

  • flash straight at the face (it flattens the features),
  • strong light from above (dark eye sockets),
  • coloured lighting (e.g. from a party).

Framing and angle

  • The face or subject should fill a large part of the frame.
  • Avoid unusual angles and wide-angle distortion (close-up selfies).
  • Nothing should cover the face: hair, hands, sunglasses.

No filters

Beauty filters smooth the skin and change the features. The tattoo should capture the real person – send the photo unedited.

Old photos and keepsakes

A portrait is often meant to remember someone who’s no longer with us, and all that’s left are small old prints. What then?

  • Scan the print at high resolution rather than photographing it with your phone.
  • Send several different photos of the same person – even if none is perfect, together they give more information.
  • Let’s talk honestly. If the material is weak, we’ll tell you what can and can’t be achieved. Sometimes a different composition or a larger size is the better solution.

If you’re not yet sure what to show, start with how to choose a tattoo design.

Two peonies with leaves in black and grey shading on the arm – tattoo by Zuzia, SHADY TATTOO Wieluń

Photos of pets

Pets rarely pose, but it can be done:

  • shoot at the animal’s eye level,
  • in good daylight,
  • in burst mode – out of a dozen shots, one is usually sharp,
  • capture distinctive features too: markings, scars, the shape of the ears.

Style inspiration – the second kind of reference

Besides a photo of the subject, it helps to share inspiration for how the tattoo should look. Send a few pieces you like and say what exactly you like about them: contrast, delicacy, background, composition. This helps translate your taste into a custom design. Remember: inspiration isn’t a pattern to copy – we treat other people’s tattoos as a starting point.

A photo of the placement

Especially useful when:

  • you’re planning a cover-up (covering an old tattoo) – see tattoo cover-up,
  • the tattoo will join another one,
  • there are scars or moles in the area.

Take the photo in good light, straight on, showing the whole area.

How to send your materials

In your message to the studio, include:

  1. The photo(s) of the subject (original files).
  2. Style inspiration with a short comment.
  3. The placement and approximate size in centimetres.
  4. A photo of the area, for a cover-up or when joining another tattoo.
  5. When you’re available.

Contact details are on the contact page.

Reference photo checklist

  • Sharp, especially the eyes
  • Original, high-resolution file
  • Soft daylight, no flash
  • No filters or retouching
  • Face/subject large in the frame, nothing covering it
  • Several shots to choose from

Materials prepared like this shorten the path from idea to design. See our realistic tattoos in the portfolio, and before your session read how to prepare for a tattoo.

Frequently asked questions

Can several photos be combined into one portrait?

Yes – for example the face from one photo and the hairstyle or clothing from another. The lighting in the photos should be similar, though, or the result may look unnatural. We’ll discuss it at the consultation.

Can you do a portrait from a phone photo?

Yes, as long as it’s sharp, well lit and sent in its original resolution. Modern phones take very good photos – the problem is usually compression when sending.

Can I send a screenshot of someone else’s tattoo?

As inspiration – yes. Tell us what you like about it, and we’ll create our own design instead of copying another artist’s work.

How many photos should I send?

A few is best – 3 to 5 good shots of the subject plus some style inspiration. Fewer, but good quality.

Book a consultation

Have an idea, or just a general direction? Message us – describe the design, the placement and the approximate size, and attach any inspiration. We will reply and suggest a consultation date.

SHADY TATTOO, ul. Głęboka 15/3, 98-300 Wieluń, Poland · Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00, weekends by appointment (Ola and Zuzia)

Contact SHADY TATTOO → · Phone: +48 691 351 557 · Instagram: @tattoo.shady · Facebook: tattooshady

ONE LIFE. ONE SKIN. ONE RIGHT CHOICE.