Head & Shoulders - Photo Guide

Your portrait is hand-cut from the photo you send, so a clear photo of the face, head and shoulders matters most. Here is what works, and what does not.

The green marked areas on the photos are the parts we use for your artwork.

Quick checklist

  • Upload in HD or UHD: the larger the better, ideally above 1080 x 1920 px (original photo, not a screenshot)
  • Face fully visible: nothing covering the eyes, nose or mouth
  • Both eyes open and in focus
  • Even light on the face, with no strong shadows or patterns
  • Hair, hands and objects kept clear of the face
  • Glasses are fine if the eyes are visible
  • Please avoid photos with tattoos on the face: we cannot create the artwork from them
  • Please do not upload photos of celebrities
  • Avoid black shirts or dresses. We cannot create a head and shoulders portrait when the clothing is black

Photos that work well

  • Man looking over his shoulder, face and shoulder line clear
    Face area we use
    Man looking over his shoulder, face and shoulder line clear (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    Looking over the shoulder: both eyes visible, the face and the shoulder line stay clear.

  • Man with a beard and swept hair in a polo neck
    Face area we use
    Man with a beard and swept hair in a polo neck (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    A clear neckline. Face, neck and shoulders are all easy to read.

  • Man with a beard in a crew-neck t-shirt, face forward
    Face area we use
    Man with a beard in a crew-neck t-shirt, face forward (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    A plain crew neck is ideal. Head, neck and both shoulders are in view.

  • Young man looking up and to the side in a hoodie
    Face area we use
    Young man looking up and to the side in a hoodie (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    A plain hoodie works well when the face stays open.

  • Woman with long wavy hair smiling at the camera
    Face area we use
    Woman with long wavy hair smiling at the camera (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    Long hair is fine when it falls to the sides and leaves the face open.

  • Woman smiling with her head resting on her hand
    Face area we use
    Woman smiling with her head resting on her hand (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    A hand beside the chin is fine as long as it does not cover the mouth or nose.

  • Man with curly hair and a beard in a crew-neck t-shirt
    Face area we use
    Man with curly hair and a beard in a crew-neck t-shirt (line art)
    Line art

    ✓ Good photo

    Soft, even light and a clear neckline. Hair, ears and beard are all easy to cut.

Photos we cannot use

  • Person covering the lower face with both hands
    Face area we use
    Person covering the lower face with both hands (line art)
    Line art

    ✗ Not suitable

    Hands cover the nose and mouth. We can only cut what we can see.

  • Person wearing a face mask and glasses
    Face area we use
    Person wearing a face mask and glasses (line art)
    Line art

    ✗ Not suitable

    A face mask hides the nose and mouth. Please remove masks before the photo.

  • Face with shadow and net pattern across it
    Face area we use
    Face with shadow and net pattern across it (line art)
    Line art

    ✗ Not suitable

    Shadow or net patterns cross the face and hide its real shape.

  • Person with hands covering the face, eyes closed
    Face area we use
    Person with hands covering the face, eyes closed (line art)
    Line art

    ✗ Not suitable

    Hands cover the face and the eyes are closed, so the face cannot be cut.

  • Person wearing an eye mask with leaf shadows on the face
    Face area we use
    Person wearing an eye mask with leaf shadows on the face (line art)
    Line art

    ✗ Not suitable

    A mask and leaf shadows hide the eyes and cheeks.

Order a Head & Shoulders portrait