How to choose an AI portrait reference photo
Learn how face size, lighting, angle, filters, and image quality affect the starting point for an AI portrait.
Show a clear, sufficiently large face
The intended face should not be tiny in the frame. Eyes and facial structure need to remain understandable. Prefer the original over a compressed screenshot or motion-blurred image.
Use balanced light
Soft window light is a practical starting point. A hard shadow hiding half the face or overexposure removing detail gives the reference less useful information.
Avoid heavy filters
Beauty filters can modify face proportions, skin texture, and eye size. Upload the natural file when you want the output to reference your real appearance.
Consider the sample framing
If the style example is a front-facing portrait, a full-profile source may be a harder starting point. The pose does not need to match exactly, but a similarly visible face helps.
Check permission before upload
Only add photos you have the right to use. Never use another person’s image for impersonation or deceptive content without permission.