Choose a photo that works on a pendant

The best photo is usually not the most recent one. It is the one where the face is large in the frame, the light is even, and nothing important sits at the edge of the picture.

At pendant size, a full-body holiday snap turns into a small shape. A head-and-shoulders photo, or a picture where two people fill most of the frame, keeps the features readable. If you are sending a group shot, tell us who should stay in the crop.

Resolution matters more than filters. Send the original file rather than a screenshot; a photo taken on a recent phone is usually enough, and we will tell you honestly if it will not hold up. Even light works better than harsh sun or a dark restaurant, because contrast is what survives at the smallest size.