Source-photo guide for AI headshots
What photos should you upload for a recognizable AI headshot?
Start with one recent, sharp photo containing only you. Put your clearest and most representative photo first. Add more only when they clarify the same current appearance.
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Strong source photo
Look for these qualities
- Recent: the photo shows how you look now.
- Solo: you are the only person in the image.
- Sharp: eyes, hairline and facial contours are clearly visible.
- Even light: no deep shadow, flash glare or bright window behind you.
- Natural: no beauty filter, sunglasses or heavy colour treatment.
- Close enough: your head and shoulders fill most of the image.
Best avoided
These photos add uncertainty
- Group photos or a tiny face cropped from a busy image.
- Screenshots, thumbnails or photos repeatedly sent through messaging apps.
- A face partly hidden by hair, hands, a phone or accessories.
- Very old photos or references with different ages and hairstyles.
- Extreme wide-angle selfies taken very close to your face.
- Heavy filters, portrait blur over the face or strong backlighting.
Your first photo matters most
Make photo 1 your primary identity reference
WerkCV treats the first upload as the main reference. Choose the image that best shows your current facial structure, hair, glasses and age. Additional photos can show a slight angle or your usual smile, but they should not contradict the first image.
| Number | When it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 photo | Recent, sharp and close to front-facing. | Your face and current appearance must be fully clear. |
| 2–4 photos | Useful for slight angles, glasses or facial hair. | Same person, period and recognizable appearance; no conflicting references. |
A five-minute setup
Take a usable source photo at home
- 1
Face soft daylight
Stand facing a window, not with the window behind you. Avoid harsh midday sun, ceiling light and direct flash.
- 2
Place the camera at eye level
Use a timer, stand or another person. Keep enough distance to avoid wide-angle facial distortion.
- 3
Frame head and shoulders
Show your full head, hairline, neck and shoulders. Do not cut off ears, chin or hair.
- 4
Use a natural expression
Look towards the camera with your normal neutral expression or relaxed smile. Do not force an unusually broad grin.
- 5
Show your current appearance
Wear your usual glasses, hairstyle and facial hair. If you want to keep your outfit, wear it in photo 1.
- 6
Upload the original
Use the file from your camera app instead of a screenshot or a social-media download.
WerkCV upload rules
Files and resolution
- Format: JPG, PNG or WebP.
- Number: at least 1 and no more than 4 photos.
- Size: up to 8 MB per photo and 24 MB in total.
- Recommendation: use the original, preferably 1024 pixels or more on the shortest side.
- Warning: WerkCV flags a shortest side below 512 pixels or an extremely wide or narrow crop.
Glasses, hair and clothing
Glasses: wear them if you normally do. Turn slightly away from the window if the lenses reflect it.
Hair or beard: use references showing your current style. Do not mix clean-shaven and bearded periods.
Clothing: choose in the generator whether your outfit may be kept or adapted. A regulated uniform should appear only when it genuinely belongs to you and your role.
What AI can improve — and what it cannot
Good use cases
A calmer background, balanced lighting, a professional square crop and — if you choose it — a small change to clothing or expression.
Not a reliable repair
A hidden or blurred face, incorrect age information or conflicting references. AI can also change details, so review every result yourself.
Identity check before downloading
Check facial shape, age, eyes, hairline, glasses, distinctive marks, teeth and your normal expression. Do not use a variant if you or someone close to you would not immediately recognize you.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos should I upload for an AI headshot?
One recent, sharp photo can be enough. Two to four photos can help when they show the same current appearance from slightly different angles. At WerkCV, your first photo is the primary identity reference.
Can I use a selfie for an AI headshot?
Yes, if your face is sharp, evenly lit and not distorted. Keep the camera at eye level and farther from your face. A timer or another person usually creates a more natural perspective than a very close selfie.
Can I upload a group photo or screenshot?
It is better not to. Other faces, small crops and compression make the reference less clear. Use the original photo file with only you in the frame whenever possible.
Do I need the same clothes in every source photo?
No, but use photos from roughly the same period with the same current hairstyle, facial hair and glasses. If you want to keep your clothing, make your first photo the one with the outfit you want represented.
Which file types does WerkCV accept?
WerkCV accepts one to four JPG, PNG or WebP files. Each photo can be up to 8 MB, with a maximum total upload of 24 MB.
What if my source photo has a low resolution?
Prefer the original file from your phone and aim for at least about 1024 pixels on the shortest side. WerkCV warns below 512 pixels, but a larger file is not automatically suitable: sharpness, light and a visible face still matter.
Can I use an AI-generated profile photo on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn permits an artistic rendering when it reflects your likeness. Only use a result that still represents you honestly and recognizably, and check the platform's current rules.
Does WerkCV keep my original photos?
WerkCV uses source photos for the generation request and does not persist the original uploads afterwards. Generated results are stored in your account so you can return to them. You can request deletion.
Is your source photo ready?
Create four previews, choose your favourite and pay only when you want to download it.
Start with my photoSources and editorial basis
This guide combines current WerkCV upload rules with general photography principles and official profile guidance. Last substantively reviewed on 28 July 2026.