How to take photo's of your child's artwork
Digital Art Submission
Whether you have your child’s artwork saved digitally or prefer to send in the original pieces, we make preserving children’s artwork easy and stress-free. Families can upload scanned or photographed artwork online—perfect for parents who already have digital files or for customers outside South Africa—or choose to send in physical artwork for us to professionally photograph and curate. Both options result in a beautifully designed children’s art book that preserves drawings, paintings, and school artwork in a timeless keepsake.
1. Use Natural Light &
a Plain Background
Place the artwork near a window with bright, indirect daylight. Avoid direct sunlight, harsh shadows, or yellow indoor lighting, as these can change the artwork’s true colours.
Lay the artwork flat on a neutral surface such as a white table, light floor, or plain wall.
Make sure no patterns, textures, or objects are visible behind the artwork.
2. Keep the Camera Straight Turn off the Flash &
Fill the Frame
Hold your phone or camera directly above (or directly in front of) the artwork so it’s perfectly straight.
Avoid photographing at an angle, as this can distort the image and edges.
Do not use flash — it creates glare, reflections, and uneven lighting. If the image looks dark, move closer to natural light instead.
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Position the camera so the artwork fills the frame as much as possible, with all edges visible. Avoid casting shadows over the art, cutting off corners or leaving too much background space.
3. Use the Highest Quality Setting & Photograph One Artwork at a Time
Make sure your camera is set to its highest resolution.
Do not apply filters, edits, or colour adjustments.
Take one clear photo per artwork.
If the artwork has texture, glitter, or thicker paint, take an extra photo to capture the detail.
4. Check Before Sending, Upload Your Photos & Send us the Link
Before uploading & sending us your images, zoom in and check that:
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The artwork is sharp and in focus
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Colours look as true to the original as possible
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No shadows, glare, or hands are visible
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Once you are happy with your photos - upload them to WeTransfer or Google Drive and send the link to info@preciousartza.co.za
Already Have Photos?
That’s Absolutely Fine
If you already have photographs of your child’s artwork that weren’t taken using the guidelines above, please don’t worry — you’re still very welcome to submit them. We understand that many special pieces were photographed years ago or captured quickly at the time, and we will always do our best to work with the images you have.
Once we review your submissions, we’ll let you know if any pieces may not be suitable for printing at your chosen book size, or if a smaller book format would better accommodate the image quality. If any artwork isn’t usable at all, we’ll always communicate this clearly and help you decide on the best next step. Our goal is to create the most beautiful, high-quality keepsake possible while honouring the artwork and memories you’ve trusted us with.