01Why the photo matters
AI video models rebuild a face from the photo on every frame. The less they have to guess, the more the result looks like the person. Most “it doesn’t look like me” results start with the photo.
02Works best
- One person in the frame
- Face toward the camera, eyes visible
- Even, soft light without hard shadows
- Shoulders visible, so the outfit carries over
- A sharp, recent photo
03Avoid
- Group photos or someone partly in frame
- Sunglasses, masks, hats that cover the hair line
- Beauty filters and heavy edits
- Tiny faces in a wide shot
- Strong side light that hides half the face
04Two-person trends
Trends like Middle Finger Dunk ask for one photo per person. Use two separate photos, not one photo with both people, and check who is who on the preview still before the video renders.
