How to Take the Perfect Photo for Your Figurine

Your photo is the foundation of your creation. A great photo makes our AI's job easier and produces a stunning result. A poor photo limits what we can achieve.

Here's everything you need to know to capture the perfect shot.

The 80/20 Rule of Custom Creations

About 80% of your creation's final quality comes from the photo you provide. The remaining 20% is our AI magic and printing technology.

This means the single most important thing you can do is start with a great photo. No amount of AI enhancement can fully compensate for a blurry, poorly lit, or low-resolution image.

Lighting: The Most Important Factor

Good lighting is non-negotiable. Here's how to get it right:

Natural Light is Best

• Shoot near a window during daytime
• Overcast days provide soft, even lighting
• Avoid harsh midday sun that creates strong shadows
• Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) adds warmth

Avoid These Lighting Mistakes

• Direct flash creates flat, harsh lighting
• Backlit subjects (light behind them) become silhouettes
• Mixed lighting (daylight + indoor bulbs) creates color casts
• Overhead lights create unflattering shadows under eyes and chin

Quick Fix for Indoor Lighting Face your subject toward a window. Position them at a 45-degree angle to the light source. This creates gentle shadows that add depth without being harsh.

Resolution: Bigger is Better

Our AI needs detail to work with. Here are the minimum requirements:

• Minimum: 1000 x 1000 pixels
• Recommended: 2000 x 2000 pixels or higher
• Ideal: Original photos from modern smartphones (12MP+)

Pro tip: Always send the original photo. Don't screenshot from social media - screenshots compress images and lose crucial detail.

Distance and Framing

How you frame your subject affects the final creation:

For People

• Capture from head to at least mid-thigh
• Leave some space around the subject
• Avoid extreme close-ups of just the face

For Pets

• Full body shots work best
• Capture their typical pose or personality
• Action shots can work if they're in focus

What to Avoid

• Cropped images that cut off parts of the body
• Extreme angles (directly from above or below)
• Too much distance (subject becomes small in frame)

Background Considerations

The background of your photo affects processing:

Good Backgrounds

• Simple, uncluttered
• Contrasting with the subject
• Neutral walls or outdoor spaces

Challenging Backgrounds

• Busy patterns
• Colors similar to the subject
• Other people partially visible

Our AI can handle most backgrounds, but simpler is always better.

Sharpness and Focus

A blurry photo will produce a blurry creation. Check these before submitting:

• Eyes in focus: For people and pets, make sure the eyes are sharp
• No motion blur: Subject should be still or use a fast shutter speed
• Camera shake: Hold your phone steady or use a tripod
• Tap to focus: On smartphones, tap the screen on your subject before shooting

Clothing and Accessories

What your subject wears matters:

Works Well

• Solid colors with good contrast
• Distinctive accessories (glasses, hats, jewelry)
• Natural fabrics with visible texture
• Both bright colors and subtle gradients work great with our 10 million+ color printing

Can Be Challenging

• All-black or all-white outfits
• Very fine patterns (thin stripes, small dots)
• Shiny or reflective materials
• Very loose or flowing clothing

Special Considerations for Pets

Pet photos have unique challenges:

Tips for Dogs

• Capture their characteristic expression
• Treat in hand gets their attention
• Natural sitting or standing pose works best
• Avoid mid-run action shots (unless very sharp)

Tips for Cats

• Their resting pose is often ideal
• Capture ear position and tail placement
• Good luck getting them to cooperate (we understand)

Other Pets

• Make sure scales/feathers/fur texture is visible
• Characteristic features should be in focus
• Choose the angle that best shows their unique look

The Perfect Photo Checklist

Before you submit, check these boxes:

• Image is at least 1000x1000 pixels
• Subject is well-lit (preferably natural light)
• Eyes and face are in sharp focus
• Full body (or intended portion) is visible
• Background is relatively simple
• Photo is the original (not a screenshot)
• No extreme angles or distortion
• Subject's expression/pose is how you want to remember them

When Photos Aren't Perfect

Don't worry if your photo isn't magazine-quality. Our AI can handle:

• Minor blur or softness
• Imperfect lighting
• Simple backgrounds
• Reasonable angles

What we struggle with:

• Extremely low resolution
• Heavy motion blur
• Face completely in shadow
• Highly cropped images

Choosing Your Best Photo

You can only upload one photo per creation, so choose wisely:

• Pick the photo that best captures the personality
• Prioritize sharpness over pose if choosing between similar shots
• When in doubt, go with the one that makes you smile

The Bottom Line

A few extra minutes choosing or taking the right photo makes a huge difference in your final creation. Natural lighting, sharp focus, and adequate resolution are the three essentials.

When in doubt, step outside on a cloudy day, have your subject face the open sky, and snap away. That simple setup will beat most indoor photos every time.