The quick version
For a person or animal, start with 2-5 clear, well-lit photos from around the same age. Include as many different angles as you can: front, back, both sides, and three-quarter views (slightly turned). You do not need every angle.
Photo requirements
How to choose photos for a custom 3D sculpture.
A simple guide to choosing the best photos for an AI-assisted 3D printed keepsake, whether the subject is a pet, person, family, occasion, or object.
2-5 photosHonest reviewOlder photos welcome
Do not worry about perfection
If your most treasured photo is not ideal, send it anyway. The studio will tell you honestly if another image might work better.
The photo shapes the sculpture
The clearer the image, the more likeness, posture, expression, and small details can be understood before reconstruction.
Process
Clear steps, calm communication, proof first.
The experience stays simple for the customer while the studio handles reconstruction, proofing, production planning, and delivery details behind the scenes.
1
Choose the strongest main photo
Pick the image that best captures the pose, expression, or feeling you want preserved.
2
Add supporting angles
Look for front, back, both sides, and three-quarter views, plus close details. Use photos from around the same age as your chosen main photo.
3
Tell us what matters
Use the notes field to explain which photo is most important and what detail should not be missed.
Helpful guide
Details that help you begin with confidence.
What makes a great photo
- Sharp and clear, ideally the original file rather than a screenshot.
- Soft, even light from a window, open shade, or another natural source.
- The whole subject visible, with ears, face, hands, clothing, paws, tail, wheels, or key details not cut off.
- Natural eye-level or three-quarter angles that show shape and depth.
- A simple background that does not blend into the subject.
Please try to avoid
- Blurry motion shots or very low-resolution images.
- Heavy filters, AI-touched images, screenshots, or photos of a screen.
- Direct flash, strong backlighting, deep shadows, or heavy portrait-mode blur.
- Important details hidden by hands, furniture, glass, clutter, or other people.
- Extreme straight-down or straight-up camera angles.
Helpful extras
- For people and animals, choose photos from around the same age as the likeness you want preserved, rather than mixing very different life stages. They do not need to be taken on the same day.
- For pets, whole-body photos at their eye level are often strongest.
- For objects, send multiple angles and at least one close detail shot.
- Older or cherished archive photos are welcome; send the clearest copy you have.
- Have more useful angles? Start with your strongest 2-5 photos, then email additional views to hello@extradimensionprinting.com during review. Include your order reference if you have one.
Questions
A few details before you begin.
Do I need professional photos?
No. Phone photos are fine. Good light, steady focus, and useful angles matter more than an expensive camera.
Can I send an old photo?
Yes. Older or cherished photos are welcome. The studio will review them and explain what is realistic.
Can I send more than five photos?
Yes. The form accepts 2-5 photos to start; email additional views to hello@extradimensionprinting.com during review, with your order reference if you have one. More useful angles from the same age period help us understand details one image may hide. If you only have one photo, email us and we will advise.
Do all the photos need to be from the same age?
Ideally, yes, whether the subject is a person or animal. Choose photos from around the age you want the sculpture to capture. They do not need to be from the same day; a similar life stage helps keep their features and proportions consistent. If your photos span different ages, tell us which photo should guide the likeness.
Begin
Share the photos and story behind the piece.
Intake takes a few minutes. The studio reviews the photos, confirms the likely quote range, and prepares the next step before production begins.