A French bulldog portrait with the right ears and the right patches

The French bulldog in these samples, Guus, came from a close-up of his head and chest, with a lead clipped to his collar. That's all you need: the body follows from his coat and build, his black-and-white pied patches carry over onto the rest of him, and the lead is left off.

He's shown here with Moos, a beagle, from a separate photo. On the heath they're mid-run; in the Old Master style they wear 17th-century lace ruffs. Each kept his own size: a Frenchie stays compact beside a longer-legged dog.

Shoot at his eye level, not from above; from above, the face flattens even more and the ears look smaller than they are. Daylight, but not harsh sun: a brindle or black coat goes flat in shadow and shiny in direct sun. Open shade or a bright window is best.

Make sure both ears are in the frame, and catch him with the ears up if you can. If one ear always flops, use a photo where it does; that's him. A harness or a sweater doesn't matter: those are left off, and the fur underneath is shown. A plain collar stays, in its color.

The lace ruff in the Old Master style was made for a Frenchie's thick neck and serious expression. Best in Show suits the dog who believes he is one: a 1950s show bill with a blue rosette and his name in wood type. Vintage Poster puts him somewhere: the park, the beach, home on the window seat, or the place you describe. Studio Minimal and Field Study are quieter, for a memorial or a calmer room.

From $59 for a 12 × 16 in fine-art print. Framed prints $119–$329, canvas $99–$249. Up to four animals on one print at no extra charge. The design is free and can be changed up to five times; after you order you approve the full-size proof before it prints. Made in 2–3 business days, then shipped free in the US with tracking, usually in 3–5 business days.