26 Sept ·
How to take the right photo to create the avatar
Light, framing and small details that make a difference in the final result.
How do you take the right photo to create the avatar? The result depends a lot on the starting image: a sharp photo, with the face clearly visible and good light, almost always gives a more faithful avatar. In this article we explain what to look for, what to avoid and how to get the best photo, even with small children who won't stay still.
What the photo is for
The photo is used only to create the illustrated avatar of the person or the pet, and it is deleted right afterwards. Only the illustrated avatars remain. The avatar is the drawn version that appears on every page of the book, so the better the starting image, the easier it is to recognise the person in the result.
The golden rules
- 1Natural light, preferably from the front or side, without strong shadows on the face.
- 2Face clearly visible, from the front or slightly tilted, with nothing covering it.
- 3A sharp image, no blur: take the photo with your phone well supported.
- 4One person per photo, so the right face is identified.
- 5A simple background, without many people or objects behind.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why it gets in the way |
|---|---|
| Sunglasses, hats or caps | They hide parts of the face that define the likeness |
| Strong backlight | It leaves the face dark and without detail |
| Filters and effects | They alter the real colours and features |
| Very small or heavily cropped photos | Detail is lost |
| Several people in the same image | The right face can be hard to identify |
| Very exaggerated expressions | They can carry over to the avatar in an unnatural way |
How to photograph a child
Children rarely stay still, but there are simple tricks. Choose a mument when they are calm, such as after eating or during a quiet game. Get down to their eye level instead of shooting from above. Take several photos in a row and pick the best. If they look at the camera with a spontaneous expression, even better; a natural smile gives a friendlier avatar.
And babies?
With babies, the rule is the same: visible face and good light. Avoid dummies, hands or soft toys covering the face. If the baby is very small, a front-facing photo, lying on a light surface, usually works well. Remember that features change quickly in the first months, so choose a recent photo.
And pets?
For a pet, choose a photo in which it looks at the camera, with good light and not much clutter around. If it has distinctive marks, such as spots or ears of a particular shape, choose an image that shows them well. If the first result isn't faithful, you can request a revision and describe what is missing.
What if the result isn't what you expected?
It's normal to need adjustments. See the free preview, without creating an account, and compare the avatar with the person. Each book includes 2 free revisions, which let you correct details such as hair colour, clothing style or expression. Describe clearly what you want to change: the more specific you are, the better the result.
Privacy
We know that sending a photo of a child takes trust. That's why the photo is used only to create the avatar and is deleted right afterwards. If you want to understand the process in more detail, read our article on photo safety.
Quick checklist before sending
- Is the face clearly visible and free of strong shadows?
- Is the image sharp?
- Is there only one person in the photo?
- Are there no sunglasses, hats or filters?
- Is it a recent photo?
Group photos and crops
If you only have a group photo in which the person appears, you can crop it before sending, so that the face takes up a good part of the image. But be careful: a big crop of a small photo can end up not sharp. Whenever possible, take a new photo of just the person instead of reusing an old image.
Phone tricks
- Clean the lens before shooting: a smudged lens gives cloudy images.
- Use the rear camera, which usually has better quality than the front one.
- Avoid digital zoom: move closer instead of enlarging.
- Tap the screen, on the face, so the camera focuses in the right place.
- If there is little light, move away from the lamp or closer to a window.
How many photos to send
For each character, one good photo is usually enough. If you're unsure between two, choose the one that best shows the face from the front. For a book with several characters, prepare one photo of each before you start, so you don't waste time searching along the way.
In short
A good photo is the first step to a good avatar. Choose natural light, a visible face and a sharp image, avoid filters and accessories that cover the face and use the 2 free revisions to get the details right. Try the free preview and decide after you see the result.