3rd’s the charm..

I am the winner of the July’s custom painting by Aimée.. What an honour!!! Out of so many entries, my photo was chosen.

As i have mentioned, both Robin and I have been submitting our pictures for the past months and we didn’t get chosen. When Aimée announced that she was going to run the contest for July, we started doing our research.. YES.. RESEARCH.. to understand what she looks for in a winner.. and what makes that picture special instead of just submitting pictures what we liked.

Aimée was really nice to put up tips on the photographs to submit… and along the way.. through looking at her portfolio, write-ups.. and comments on her blog, website and twitter.. we were able to nail it, especially when she has to paint it within 140mins!

1. Agilespots was a runner-up last month. Her picture was perfect.. however, she wasn’t chosen cos Aimée wasn’t able to paint the spots within the time frame.

Hence, the photos we took had to eliminate time consuming features teeth, tongues, paws.. etc. That is unless you are commissioning a portrait of course.. then that is more than welcomed!

2. Aimée‘s special skill is in capturing the quintessential facial feature/expression… so we concluded, no costumes, funny background stuff, just a close up facial and shoulder photos that shows the quintessential expression/feature. If you look at her previous winners..

Speck… the expression is simply beautiful.. couple with the merle specks.. and Cali is so dignified…

And Lulabelle!

Her ears are so amazing..

S wanted to capture my eyes and expression cos she always thought that they speak volumes.. and shows what i’m thinking of.. You don’t believe me?

First time S saw me at the shelter (Mutts and Mittens)

I wanted a picture that could speak volumes of me… and hence we submitted a couple of pictures that Aimée could paint.

And i’m so happy to have been choose.. I hope that with these tips.. maybe you’d be the next winner too!!!

P/s.. now Robin wants his own painting too!!!