How to choose photos for a book that really looks like your child
Dharmik Jagodana · 10 August 2026 · 3 min read
The photos you upload are what let a book star your child by name and face. You don’t need a photo shoot — you need a few clear ones. Here is what actually helps.
What to upload
- Three to five clear, well-lit photos of your child’s face.
- A mix of angles — straight on, and a little to each side — so the face is understood in three dimensions, not one.
- Recent photos, so the book looks like your child now.
What to avoid
- Heavy filters, sunglasses, hats pulled low, or anything covering the face.
- Busy backgrounds and group shots where it’s unclear which child is the hero.
- One single photo. A single angle gives the illustrator less to work from, and the likeness suffers.
Those photos become your reference images — the anchor every page is generated against. The step-by-step version, with what happens to the files afterwards, lives in the help centre.
Questions parents ask
- How many photos do I need?
- Three to five clear, well-lit photos of your child's face, from a few angles. More isn't better — a handful of good ones beats a big pile of blurry or filtered shots.
- Can I use just one photo?
- You can, but the likeness suffers. A single angle gives the illustrator less to work from; a few angles let the face be understood in three dimensions rather than one.
- What kind of photos should I avoid?
- Heavy filters, sunglasses, hats pulled low, busy group shots, and anything covering the face. Recent, clear, face-forward photos work best.