diff --git a/python/python/lancedb/pydantic.py b/python/python/lancedb/pydantic.py
index 6bebfc62..355cfcb1 100644
--- a/python/python/lancedb/pydantic.py
+++ b/python/python/lancedb/pydantic.py
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ def EncodedImage() -> Type[ImageMixin]:
         ) -> CoreSchema:
             return core_schema.no_info_after_validator_function(
                 cls,
-                core_schema.binary_schema(),
+                core_schema.str_schema(),
             )
 
         @classmethod
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ def ImageURI() -> Type[ImageMixin]:
         ) -> CoreSchema:
             return core_schema.no_info_after_validator_function(
                 cls,
-                core_schema.string_schema(),
+                core_schema.str_schema(),
             )
 
         @classmethod
@@ -302,9 +302,13 @@ def ImageURI() -> Type[ImageMixin]:
         # For pydantic v1
         @classmethod
         def validate(cls, v):
-            # if not isinstance(v, str):
-            #     raise TypeError("A str is needed")
-            # return cls(v)
+            from lance.arrow import ImageURIArray, ImageURIType
+
+            if isinstance(v, (str, pa.StringArray)):
+                v = pa.ExtensionArray.from_storage(ImageURIType(), v)
+            if not isinstance(v, ImageURIArray):
+                raise TypeError("Invalid input array type", type(v))
+
             return v
 
         if PYDANTIC_VERSION < (2, 0):
diff --git a/python/python/tests/test_pydantic.py b/python/python/tests/test_pydantic.py
index 58dd7c83..d6afb2ec 100644
--- a/python/python/tests/test_pydantic.py
+++ b/python/python/tests/test_pydantic.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import os
 from datetime import date, datetime
 from typing import List, Optional, Tuple
 
+import numpy as np
 import pyarrow as pa
 import pydantic
 import pytest
@@ -256,18 +257,11 @@ def test_lance_model():
 
 
 def test_lance_model_with_lance_types():
-    img = (
-        b"\\x89PNG\\r\\n\\x1a\\n\\x00\\x00\\x00\\rIHDR\\x00\\x00\\x00"
-        b"\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x01\\x08\\x06\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x1f"
-    )
     png_uris = [
         "file://" + os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "images/1.png"),
     ]
     default_image_uris = ImageURIArray.from_uris(png_uris)
-    encoded_images = pa.array([img], pa.binary())
-    default_encoded_images = pa.ExtensionArray.from_storage(
-        EncodedImageType(), encoded_images
-    )
+    default_encoded_images = default_image_uris.read_uris()
 
     class TestModel(LanceModel):
         encoded_images: EncodedImage() = Field(default=default_encoded_images)
@@ -278,6 +272,7 @@ def test_lance_model_with_lance_types():
     assert TestModel.field_names() == ["encoded_images", "image_uris"]
 
     expected_model = TestModel()
+
     actual_model = TestModel(
         encoded_images=default_encoded_images, image_uris=default_image_uris
     )