Selecting the most suitable photo as a reference for me to use is very important. Here are some tips that you can follow, which result in an artwork with maximum impact once it's on the wall:

• Choose or take a photo at the subject's own eye-level to avoid distortion
• Photos taken outdoors will give much better lighting on the subject
• Choose a bright, yet overcast day for photography. Or for beautiful lighting, if it's been a sunny day, wait for the 'golden hour' when the sun is beginning to set
• If you do have to take the photo in the middle of a sunny day, position yourself with the sun behind you, to avoid dark shadows on the subject and loss of detail in features
• Get close enough to let the subject fill the frame, capturing sufficient facial detail
• Where possible, take multiple shots to choose from and to capture the most interesting pose
• If possible, get close-ups of the eyes and face, for additional reference and colour accuracy.
• Avoid using a flash, as this can cause red eye and can also alter the natural colouring too much