How to Take Perfect Photos for Your Custom Book

The photo you choose for your child's personalized book is crucial—it's what brings their character to life on every page. Here are our professional photographer's top tips for capturing the perfect shot.

Understanding Photo Requirements

The quality of your photo directly affects how your child appears in the story. Our artists work with your photo to create beautiful illustrations, so starting with a good image makes all the difference.

Photo guidelines and examples

Lighting is Everything

Natural light works best: Take photos near a large window during the day, but avoid direct sunlight which can create harsh shadows.

Golden hour magic: If shooting outdoors, the hour before sunset provides the most flattering, soft light.

Avoid flash: Camera flash can create red-eye and unnatural skin tones. Trust natural light instead.

Getting the Perfect Angle

Eye level shots: Position your camera at your child's eye level rather than shooting down at them.

Clear view of the face: Ensure the face is fully visible and not tilted too far in any direction.

Leave some space: Don't crop too tightly—our artists need room to work with the image.

What to Wear

Solid colors work best: Avoid busy patterns that might distract from your child's face.

Choose complementary colors: Consider the story theme when selecting outfit colors.

Comfort first: A comfortable, happy child makes for the best photos.

Capture Genuine Expressions

Make them laugh: Use silly jokes, funny faces, or favorite toys to get natural smiles.

Take multiple shots: Children's expressions change quickly—take lots of photos to capture the perfect moment.

Be patient: Don't rush the process. The best photos happen when kids are relaxed and having fun.

Technical Tips

High resolution: Use your phone's highest quality setting or a good camera.

Avoid blurry shots: Make sure the image is sharp and in focus.

Good contrast: Ensure there's enough difference between your child and the background.

What We Can Work With

Don't worry if your photo isn't perfect—our talented artists can:

Remove backgrounds

Adjust lighting and colors

Clean up minor imperfections

Enhance image quality

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Photos taken from too far away

❌ Heavy shadows across the face

❌ Busy backgrounds that compete with your child

❌ Blurry or low-resolution images

❌ Extreme angles or poses

See Your Photo Come to Life

Once you upload your perfect photo, our artists transform it into beautiful illustrations that match your chosen story template. Here's how your child might appear in different story themes:

Princess story template example

Time Traveler story template example

Space adventure template example

Ready to Create Magic?

With these tips, you'll capture beautiful photos that transform into stunning custom book illustrations. Remember, the goal is to show your child's personality and character—that's what makes each book truly special.

Browse our book templates and start creating your child's personalized adventure today!