A Quick Guide to Photographing Yourself

Framing the Photo

  • Ideally, I need photos from about your hips up

  • Make sure your shoulders and upper body are clearly visible

  • Leave a little space above your shoulders (even though your head will be replaced)

Expression & Feeling

You don’t need to “pose perfectly.”

I’m not looking for perfection, I’m looking for presence.

A soft, neutral expression or a subtle emotion you resonate with is perfect.
Think of it as capturing a quiet moment rather than performing for the camera.

Sending Your Photos

Please send:

  • 3–6 photos

  • Clear, high-resolution images (phone photos are perfect, unless your phone is ancient, in which case, phone a friend with a good quality phone and ask them to borrow it)

You can email them to: hello@charlisavage.com.au

A Final Note

These photos are just the beginning - a doorway into something more imagined.

Your portrait won’t just be a likeness, but a small world built around you - something that feels like memory, story, and a little bit of magic intertwined.

for your object-head portrait

Thank you for trusting me with something so personal. This piece of art will be a transformation of you, into something both familiar and a little otherworldly.

To bring your portrait to life as accurately as possible, I’ll need a few reference photos of you. This guide will walk you through how to capture images that feel natural, so your final artwork holds both your likeness and a sense of surreal magic.

Lighting (this is the most important part)

Please photograph yourself in soft, natural light.

The best options are:

  • Standing beside a large window or open doorway

  • Standing outside in the shade (under a patio, tree, or awning)

Try to avoid:

  • Direct sunlight hitting your face or body (this creates harsh shadows)

  • Overhead lighting or indoor artificial lights

We’re aiming for gentle, even light that softly wraps around you. The best time of day for this is in the morning, during sunrise, or the afternoon as the sun is setting. If it’s an overcast day, then any time is fine.

Positioning & Angle

  • Stand facing the light source (window/door/open sky)

  • Keep your body relaxed and natural

  • The camera should be held at about chest or eye level

  • Avoid dramatic angles - straight-on or slightly turned is perfect

You’re welcome to send a few variations (slight turns, different poses) so I can choose what feels most aligned with the piece.

What to Wear

Wear something that feels like you.

Soft textures, simple silhouettes, and pieces you feel comfortable in tend to translate beautifully into the final artwork.

Try to avoid:

  • Overly busy patterns or logos that are distracting

  • Very dark clothing that loses detail

If you’re unsure, feel free to send me pictures of what you have and we can figure it out together.

Hair (Important)

Because your portrait will be transformed into an object-head piece:

  • If you have long hair, please tie it back into a bun

  • Keep your hair off your neck and shoulders as best you can, but don’t stress about little fly-aways

This allows me to clearly reference what part of you I need to paint, and helps me create a seamless transition into your object-head form.