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Cartoonova
Order my portrait
Order my portrait
Photo guide

Which photo should you send?

The drawing starts from your photo: the clearer it is, the more the portrait looks like you. Here's what works, what to avoid, and the special cases.

An original photo and the cartoon portrait drawn from it
A sharp, well-lit photo is all it takes for a true-to-life portrait.

What works

No need for a photographer: a phone photo does the job perfectly.

  • A clearly visible face

    Features, hairstyle and glasses are what make the likeness: they need to be clearly visible.

  • Front-facing, or close to it

    Front-on or three-quarter view shows both eyes and the shape of the face. In profile, half the details disappear.

  • Good light

    Daylight, near a window or outdoors, gives true colours. Avoid harsh shadows on the face.

  • A sharp photo

    Zoom in on the eyes: if they stay sharp, it's perfect. The original file always beats a screenshot.

  • One photo per person is fine

    Everyone doesn't need to pose together: a good photo of each person, taken separately, often gives a better result.

  • Up to 8 photos

    You can send up to 8 photos per order: one per person or pet, plus one for an outfit or a detail you care about.

What to avoid

These photos give a less faithful portrait.

  • Sunglasses

    They hide the eyes, the most expressive part of the face. Regular glasses are no problem at all.

  • Blurry photos

    Motion blur or an over-compressed photo wipes out the details of the face.

  • Backlighting

    A window or the sun behind the person leaves their face in shadow.

  • People too far away

    In a landscape or group shot taken from a distance, the face is only a few pixels wide.

Special cases

  • Pets

    One clear photo of each pet, ideally at eye level. Pick one where its coat and markings are easy to see.

  • Group photo or separate photos?

    A group photo works if every face is sharp and large enough. Otherwise, send one photo per person: we bring everyone together in the same drawing.

  • Don't have the right photo yet?

    You can order now and send your photos later, using the upload link you receive after your order.

Frequently asked questions

Is a phone photo good enough?

Yes. Today's phones take photos that are more than detailed enough. Send the original file rather than a screenshot or a photo received through a messaging app, which is often compressed.

How many photos can I send?

Up to 8 photos per order. One good photo per person or pet is enough; the others can show an outfit, a hairstyle or a detail.

Do I need a photo with everyone together?

No. Separate photos work very well: each person is drawn from their own photo, then everyone is brought together in the same portrait.

Can I send my photos after ordering?

Yes. After your order, you receive an upload link to send or add your photos whenever you have them.

What if my photo isn't perfect?

Send the best one you have. You get a preview before the final version, and you can ask for changes.

Got your photo ready?

Pick your universe and start your portrait.

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