How to Take the Perfect Selfie for AI Headshots
You only need a phone and a few minutes. Follow this checklist and your uploads will give TailorPic a clear picture of what you look like.
Why Your Upload Photos Matter
The AI builds your headshots from the photos you give it. Clear, well-lit photos that show your face accurately give it better material to work from, and better input generally leads to better output.
Blurry, heavily filtered, or poorly lit photos give it less to learn from. The checklist below takes only a few minutes to follow. For ideas on clothing, see what to wear, and for more on lighting and camera habits, read our photo tips.
The Checklist
Eight things to check before you take or choose your photos.
Lighting
Face a window or use soft, even light so it falls across your whole face. Avoid harsh overhead light and avoid standing with a bright window behind you.
Background
Choose a plain, uncluttered wall or space. The AI replaces the background in your final headshots, but a clean one helps keep attention on your face.
Angle
Hold the camera at eye level or slightly above. Avoid extreme angles, such as looking sharply up or down into the lens.
Expression
Aim for a natural smile and a relaxed face. Include a few different expressions, for example a closed-mouth smile and a wider one.
Distance
Frame from the chest up. Not so close that your face fills the screen, and not a full-body shot.
Focus
Make sure your face is sharp and in focus. Tap your face on the screen, hold still, and check each photo before you upload it.
Variety
Upload 5 to 10 different photos with slight variations in expression, angle, and outfit, rather than many near-identical shots.
What to avoid
Sunglasses, heavy filters, group photos, and blurry shots. Use photos that look like you today.
Before You Upload
A quick final check.
Do
- Soft, even light on your face
- Chest-up framing at eye level
- A natural smile and a few other relaxed expressions
- Sharp, in-focus photos
- 5 to 10 photos with small variations
Don't
- Sunglasses or anything covering your face
- Heavy filters or beauty modes
- Group photos or other people in frame
- Blurry or badly lit shots
- Harsh overhead light or a bright window behind you
Ready to Create Your Headshots?
Put the checklist to work, upload your photos, and let TailorPic do the rest.