Sending a good picture is the key to a great painting. You don't need a professional camera to take a great picture. So what is a good picture?

Here are some suggestions:

1. The best pictures are taken on sunny days when the sunlight shines on the front, partial front, or side of the house. It may also be directly overhead as well. You never want the sun behind the house (into the lens).

2. Make sure you see a portion of the side of the house and make sure there are some shadows. That way the picture will not be "flat". Avoid the garage being predominant.

3. Try not to cut off any portions of the house. If trees are blocking the view, go up to where you can see the structures and shoot that portion. Take many pictures at different angles. Hold your camera as horizontal as possible.

4. Don't worry about things like telephone wires, mail boxes, etc. The advantage to a painting over a photograph is that less attractive items are eliminated in a painting..

5. If you can't get the entire house in the photo, shoot one half of the house, and move over to take the other half (keeping the same distance to the house as the first picture). In some cases you may need to shoot 3 or 4 sections.

6. Take some pictures of the details you like of your house: the front door, the window details, etc. Take note of bushes that have already bloomed. They may always be added, as well as flowering plants, etc.

7. Make any comment you wish when you send the pictures (i.e. what to eliminate and/or what to add).

If you send more than one picture, indicate which one you like the most.