Photo Guidelines
Quality photos create better AI models
Perfect Training Photos
The quality of your training photos directly impacts how well your AI model learns your features.
Example Training Photos
This is what a perfect training set looks like
Direct Eye Contact
Looking Away
Natural Pose
Big Smile
Serious Expression
Indoor Setting
Full Body Shot
Close-up Portrait
Casual Selfie
Laughing/Candid
Eyes Closed Candid
Why this set works: Notice the variety in expressions (smiling, serious, laughing), angles (front, 3/4, looking away), settings (indoor, outdoor, urban, nature), and lighting conditions. Each photo clearly shows the face with good lighting.
Good vs Bad: Common Mistakes
See what to avoid in your training photos
Eyes Clearly Visible
Sunglasses Covering Eyes
Problem: AI can't learn your eye area - one of the most important facial features
Tip: Remove sunglasses for training photos, even if you wear them daily
Face Fully Visible
Hat Casting Shadows
Problem: Hats hide your forehead and hairline, confusing the AI about your face shape
Tip: Save the hats for generated photos - show your full face in training images
Solo Photo
Group Photo
Problem: AI doesn't know which person to learn from in group photos
Tip: Always use solo photos where you are the only person in frame
Natural Appearance
Heavy Filters & Editing
Problem: Filters alter your true appearance - AI learns the filtered version, not you
Tip: Use unedited photos without beauty filters or heavy retouching
Clean Background
Pet in Photo
Problem: Pets distract from your face and AI may incorporate pet features into results
Tip: Keep the focus on you - no pets, props, or other distractions
Full Face Visible
Face Mask/Covering
Problem: Masks hide your nose and mouth - AI needs to see your complete face
Tip: Show your entire face in every training photo
Clean, Simple Background
Bathroom Mirror Selfie
Problem: Cluttered backgrounds, phones, and mirror reflections confuse AI training
Tip: Use simple backgrounds - avoid mirrors, bathrooms, and visual clutter
Eyes Open & Visible
Eyes Closed
Problem: AI needs to learn what your eyes look like for accurate results
Tip: Include mostly open-eye photos - limit closed-eye shots to 1-2 max
Variety of Angles & Expressions
Same Angle Repeated
Problem: Using similar photos teaches the AI nothing new - it needs variety to learn your features
Tip: Include different angles (front, 3/4, profile) and expressions (smiling, neutral, serious)
Photo Requirements by Category
Essential Requirements
Must HaveClear Face Visibility
Face should be clearly visible and well-lit in every photo
Front-facing portrait with even lighting
Face in shadow, looking down, or partially obscured
High Resolution
Minimum 512x512px, recommended 1024x1024px or higher
Modern smartphone or camera photos in good quality
Low-resolution, pixelated, or heavily compressed images
Single Subject Focus
You should be the clear main subject in each photo
Solo portraits or photos where you're prominently featured
Group photos where you're small or unclear which person to focus on
Variety of Angles
Include front, side profile, and three-quarter views
Mix of straight-on, 45-degree, and profile angles
All photos from the same angle or viewpoint
Lighting Guidelines
CriticalEven Face Lighting
Face should be evenly lit without harsh shadows
Soft natural light, professional photography lighting
One side of face in shadow, harsh direct sunlight
Consistent Quality
Similar lighting quality across multiple photos
All outdoor daylight or all indoor soft lighting
Mix of very bright and very dark photos
Avoid Backlighting
Light should illuminate your face, not be behind you
Window light or lamp facing your face
Standing in front of bright window or light source
Expression & Pose Variety
ImportantMultiple Expressions
Include neutral, smiling, and other natural expressions
Natural smile, serious look, slight smile, neutral
Same exact expression in every single photo
Eye Contact Variation
Mix of direct eye contact and looking slightly off-camera
Most photos looking at camera, some looking away naturally
All photos looking away from camera or closed eyes
Natural Poses
Relaxed, natural poses that show your personality
Casual, comfortable poses that feel natural
Forced, unnatural, or overly posed expressions
Background & Composition
HelpfulVaried Backgrounds
Different backgrounds help AI focus on your features
Indoor, outdoor, plain wall, textured backgrounds
All photos against the exact same background
Clean Composition
You should be the clear focus without distracting elements
Simple backgrounds that don't compete for attention
Cluttered backgrounds with busy patterns or text
Appropriate Distance
Head and shoulders visible, not too close or far away
Headshot to upper body framing
Extreme close-ups of face only or full body where face is tiny
What Makes These Photos Work
Variety of Angles
Different Expressions
Various Backgrounds & Settings
Good Lighting Examples
Soft Natural
Even, diffused daylight
Golden Hour
Warm, flattering light
Soft Indoor
Window light, no harsh shadows
Dappled Light
Outdoor shade with fill
Pre-Upload Checklist
Technical Quality
Subject Clarity
Variety
Photo Source Analysis
Professional Headshots
High-quality portraits with professional lighting
Pros
- Excellent lighting
- Sharp focus
- Professional quality
- Clear facial features
Cons
- May all look too similar
- Need variety in expressions
- Could be too formal
Verdict
Excellent base - add casual photos for variety
Social Media Photos
Casual photos from Instagram, Facebook, or other platforms
Pros
- Natural expressions
- Variety of settings
- Different angles
- Real-world scenarios
Cons
- May have filters
- Compression artifacts
- Inconsistent quality
- Group photos mixed in
Verdict
Good if unfiltered and solo - check quality
Phone Camera Selfies
Self-taken photos using smartphone front camera
Pros
- Easy to control
- Consistent perspective
- Good for expressions
- High resolution on modern phones
Cons
- Limited angle variety
- Distortion from close distance
- Arm-length limitation
- Background repetition
Verdict
Good supplement - don't use exclusively
Event Photography
Photos from parties, gatherings, or special occasions
Pros
- Natural expressions
- Good lighting often
- Professional photographer taken
- Variety of poses
Cons
- May include other people
- Formal clothing only
- Similar event lighting
- Date-specific styling
Verdict
Great if solo and recent - adds natural variety
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Only Selfies
Medium ImpactProblem
Selfies often have distortion and limited variety
Solution
Mix selfies with photos taken by others at normal distance
Inconsistent Lighting
High ImpactProblem
Dramatic lighting changes confuse the AI training
Solution
Use photos with similar, even lighting conditions
Too Few Photos
Critical ImpactProblem
Insufficient data for AI to learn your features properly
Solution
Use 15-20 photos minimum for best results
Group Photos
Critical ImpactProblem
AI can't determine which person to focus on learning
Solution
Use solo photos where you are clearly the main subject
Heavy Filters/Editing
High ImpactProblem
Edited photos don't represent your true appearance
Solution
Use natural, unfiltered photos with minimal editing
Old Photos
Medium ImpactProblem
Outdated photos may not represent your current appearance
Solution
Use recent photos taken within the last 1-2 years
Photo Improvement Strategies
Lighting Setup
Create consistent lighting for multiple photos
Sit facing a large window for natural light
Use white poster board to reflect light onto face
Avoid harsh overhead lighting
Take photos during golden hour outdoors
Angle Variety
Capture different perspectives systematically
Take 3-5 straight-on photos
Take 3-5 three-quarter turn photos (45 degrees)
Take 2-3 profile shots from each side
Include some slight head tilts naturally
Expression Range
Show different moods and expressions
Start with relaxed, neutral expression
Natural smile - think of something pleasant
Slight smile or gentle expression
Serious but approachable look
Background Strategy
Use backgrounds that enhance rather than distract
Plain wall (white, beige, or light color)
Natural outdoor setting with soft focus
Indoor setting with clean, simple background
Avoid busy patterns, text, or bright colors
Important Considerations
• Privacy: Only use photos you have full rights to. Never use photos of other people without permission.
• Recent Photos: Use photos taken within the last 1-2 years to ensure the model represents your current appearance.
• Quality Over Quantity: 15 excellent photos are better than 30 poor-quality ones.
• Ethical Use: Create models responsibly and consider the implications of AI-generated content.
Ready to Upload Your Photos?
Training Process
Learn the step-by-step training workflow
Using Models
How to generate content with your trained model
Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions for model training
Ready to Upload Your Photos?
Now you understand photo requirements. Start the training process with your perfect photos.