The success of your AI-generated headshot hinges on how thoughtfully you prepare your source photos
Your objective is to supply the AI with sharp, uniform, and detailed imagery that faithfully captures your unique face and demeanor
Begin with optimal illumination
Natural daylight is ideal, especially during the morning or late afternoon when the sun is soft and diffused
Avoid harsh shadows on your face or overly bright areas that cause glare
If shooting indoors, use a well lit room with a large window nearby and avoid using direct overhead lights or Explore now flash photography, which can create unnatural highlights
Keep your entire face clearly visible and aligned within the frame
Set the lens height equal to your eyes or just a bit higher for a more flattering angle
Avoid tilting your head too far up or down, as this can distort facial proportions
Maintain a neutral or slightly warm expression
Smiling is acceptable, but avoid exaggerated grins or overly serious expressions unless that is the intended look
Avoid looking sideways, downward, or closing your eyes—even momentarily
Blinking or looking away can cause the AI to misinterpret your features or reject the image entirely
Use a simple, uniform backdrop that separates you clearly from the environment
Solid neutral hues—never patterned or textured—are preferred
Your face must be the sole visual focus
Anything that draws the eye away from your face reduces image effectiveness
Frame your shot to include from slightly above the crown to just below the shoulders
Crop the photo so that your face occupies about 60 to 70 percent of the frame, ensuring no important facial features are cut off
Remove any accessories that may interfere with facial recognition
Even subtle accessories like hair clips or bold bracelets can interfere
If you wear glasses, make sure they are clean and free of reflections
If reflections are unavoidable, try adjusting the angle of your head or the lighting slightly
Do not use filters or photo editing apps that alter your skin tone, facial structure, or features
Your uploaded image must reflect your real face, not an idealized or filtered version
Take multiple photos in different lighting and poses, even if you think one looks perfect
This gives the AI more data to work with and increases the chances of generating a natural, accurate result
Mount your phone or camera on a fixed stand to eliminate wobble
Use a 2-second delay or Bluetooth trigger to avoid camera shake
Phone screens often misrepresent exposure and focus
Zoom in to check for sharpness, lighting consistency, and facial clarity
Eliminate any images that are blurry, underexposed, overexposed, or have distracting elements
Avoid low-quality.webp or heavily compressed.jpg files
Do not compress the images excessively, as this can degrade detail
Finally, check the specific requirements of the AI platform you are using
Some demand 1:1 ratios, 512×512 pixels, or camelCase filenames
Adhering to these guidelines ensures your photos are accepted and processed efficiently
Your effort directly determines the realism and reliability of your AI-generated portrait
