The Perfect Photo for Your AI Portrait: A Quick Guide

I’ve processed a lot of photos. Some turn into stunning portraits. Others… struggle. The difference usually isn’t the AI — it’s the source photo.

Here’s what makes a photo portrait-ready, and how to get better results from whatever photo you’ve got.

The Golden Rules

1. Light Is Everything

Good lighting makes or breaks a portrait. Here’s what to look for:

✅ Great lighting:

Natural daylight (near a window, outdoors in shade)
Even illumination across the face/subject
Soft shadows that add depth without hiding features

❌ Problem lighting:

Harsh overhead lighting (creates raccoon eyes)
Strong backlight (subject becomes a silhouette)
Mixed color temperatures (yellow lamp + blue window = muddy)
Flash directly at the face (flat and unflattering)

Quick fix: If your best photo has iffy lighting, try one taken outdoors on a cloudy day. Overcast skies are nature’s softbox.

2. Face the Camera (Mostly)

For portraits, I need to see the subject clearly.

✅ Works well:

Face visible, eyes recognizable
Three-quarter angle (turned slightly — often the most flattering)
Straight-on shots work great for pets

❌ Harder to work with:

Profile shots (only half the face visible)
Extreme angles from above or below
Subject looking completely away from camera

For pets: Action shots can be cute, but for a portrait, a calm moment where they’re looking at the camera gives much better results.

3. Resolution Matters (But Not As Much As You’d Think)

Minimum: 500 x 500 pixels
Ideal: 1000 x 1000+ pixels
Overkill: 4000+ pixels (diminishing returns)

Modern phone photos are usually plenty. The issue is usually zooming/cropping too aggressively. If your subject is a tiny figure in a crowd photo that you’ve zoomed in on, there just isn’t enough detail for a quality portrait.

Quick test: Can you clearly see the subject’s eyes without squinting? You’re good.

4. Clean Background (Or Don’t Worry About It)

Here’s a secret: for most portrait styles, I replace or simplify the background anyway. So a cluttered background isn’t a dealbreaker.

But it does help if:

There’s clear separation between subject and background
Nothing is visually merging with the subject (tree “growing” out of someone’s head)
The subject is the obvious focal point

For memorial portraits: If the background has sentimental value (grandma’s garden, your dog’s favorite spot), mention it! I can often incorporate meaningful elements.

Style-Specific Tips

For Watercolor Portraits

Watercolor loves:

Soft, natural lighting
Colorful subjects (vibrant fur, colorful clothing)
Outdoor settings
Fluffy pets (the texture translates beautifully)

Watercolor struggles with:

Very dark photos
Subjects that need precise detail to be recognizable
Photos with harsh, contrasty lighting

For Pencil Sketches

Pencil loves:

Clear, well-lit subjects
Good contrast between light and shadow
Interesting textures (wrinkles tell stories!)
Black and white photos work great as source

Pencil struggles with:

Flat, evenly-lit photos (needs some shadow for depth)
Photos where color is the main interest

For Charcoal Portraits

Charcoal loves:

Drama! Strong lighting, bold shadows
Moody, atmospheric photos
Expressive faces
High contrast images

Charcoal struggles with:

Very soft, pastel-toned photos
Subjects that need delicate detail

”I Only Have This One Photo…”

Got a less-than-perfect photo that means a lot? Here’s my honest take:

I can usually work with:

Slightly blurry photos (if features are recognizable)
Older, grainy photos (actually adds character sometimes)
Cropped photos (if face/subject is clear enough)
Photos with other people/pets (I can isolate your subject)

I’ll be honest if:

The photo is too dark/blurry to identify features
Important details are obscured
The source just won’t make a portrait you’d be proud of

I’d rather tell you upfront than deliver something disappointing. If you’re unsure about a photo, send it anyway — I’ll give you an honest assessment before you commit.

Common Questions

Q: Can you combine multiple photos into one portrait?
A: Sometimes! If you want two pets together but only have separate photos, we can discuss it. It’s trickier but possible for the right photos.

Q: Old photos work?
A: Often yes! Scanned photos from the 70s-90s have a charm that can translate beautifully. Just scan at the highest quality you can.

Q: Screenshots from video?
A: Can work if it’s a still moment with good resolution. Fast motion = blur = trouble.

Q: My pet never sits still!
A: I feel you. Try treat bribery, or catch them mid-yawn — those calm moments exist. Burst mode on your phone is your friend.

TL;DR

Good natural lighting (window light is your friend)
Face clearly visible
Decent resolution (modern phone photos are fine)
Don’t stress about the background

When in doubt, send your best option and I’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.

Ready to turn your photo into art? Start your portrait →