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How to Take Perfect Selfies for AI Headshots (5-Minute Guide)

The single biggest factor that determines the quality of your AI headshots is the quality of your input selfies. Follow these seven rules and you'll get results that look like a professional studio shoot.

The 7 Golden Rules

1. Natural light near a window. Stand facing a window for soft, flattering light. Avoid harsh direct sunlight or artificial overhead lighting.
2. Multiple angles. Take photos from slightly left, front-on, and slightly right. This gives the AI more data to work with.
3. Different expressions. Smile in 2-3 photos, neutral in 2-3, confident professional look in 1-2. Variety improves output diversity.
4. Clean background. A plain wall works perfectly. The AI will replace backgrounds anyway.
5. No accessories. Remove glasses, hats, and heavy jewelry. These can interfere with face detection.
6. Recent photos. Use photos taken in the last 6-12 months that match your current appearance.
7. High resolution. Use your phone's rear camera. Minimum 1MP, ideally 12MP+.

How Many Photos to Upload

Minimum 3, ideally 5-7. More photos give the AI more data points, resulting in better likeness accuracy. More than 10 provides diminishing returns.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Very dark or poorly lit photos
• Group photos or cropped photos from group shots
• Selfies with strong filters (Snapchat, Instagram beauty mode)
• Photos where your face is partially covered or turned away