Choosing a photo for your custom figurine
5 minute read
A favourite photo often matters because of something small: a familiar smile, your dog’s lopsided ears or the jumper you wear on every weekend walk. When you turn that photo into a figurine, those are the details you want to show clearly. You don’t need a studio portrait. A good phone photo can be a useful starting point. This guide helps you choose a reference, decide whether to add another view and understand what the digital preview can tell you.
Start with what makes them recognisable
Your figurine will be a stylised keepsake, so it won’t reproduce every detail exactly. A style may change the proportions of the head and body or simplify clothing and strands of hair. Think about what makes the person or pet immediately familiar to you. If the hairstyle matters, a photo with a hat shouldn’t be your only reference. If your pet has distinctive markings, show those clearly. Mention the details you care about in the notes, rather than leaving their importance to chance.
Check the light and sharpness
Zoom in on the photo on your phone. Can you make out the eyes, the outline of the hair and the shape of the outfit? Soft daylight often gives you more useful information than strong flash or sunlight directly behind the subject. A picture taken near a window can work well, as long as the face isn’t hidden in shadow. Avoid heavy beauty filters, which can change the very features you’d like to keep. Saving a blurry image at a larger size won’t bring back the missing detail.
Show the face, hair and clothing
For a person, choose a picture with a clear view of the face and hairstyle. Sunglasses, hair falling across the eyes or a hand in front of the face can hide useful features. If you’d like to keep those accessories in the design, add an unobscured reference as well. Clothing is easier to understand when its main shapes are visible. Tiny lettering, fine chains and small emblems may need simplifying on the finished figure. Tell us which details are essential so we can discuss them at the preview stage.
Add a full-length view for the pose
A close portrait tells us about the face but very little about the position of the hands or feet. If you have a particular pose in mind, add a full-length image where possible. Look for a view that doesn’t crop out the body parts that matter. Simple, natural poses make useful references; very thin details extending far from the body may need a different arrangement. If your portrait and full-length photo were taken at different times, explain which one shows the hairstyle, outfit and pose you want us to follow.
Make group references clear
For a couple or family, choose a picture where everyone is easy to see. A tiny face at the back of a large group doesn’t offer much detail. You can add closer portraits alongside a favourite shared photo. If everyone appears in separate pictures, ask us about the arrangement before assuming they can be combined in a particular way. Say who should be included, especially when uploading a larger group image. The preview is where you can review the proposed layout and the relationship between the figures.
Give pets an extra view
Try photographing your pet at eye level while they’re settled. A front view helps show the face, while a side view can reveal the ears, back and distinctive patches of fur. Dark fur can disappear against a dark background, so look for a lighter setting without harsh glare. An action shot may be a lovely memory, but a quieter photo can provide a clearer design reference. If you’re planning a memorial figurine and only have older photos, choose the clearest ones available. We can discuss what they show without asking you to create new memories.
Check the file before uploading
The design tool currently accepts one main image. Choose a clear original photo. Contact us to discuss additional views. Read the privacy notice before uploading.
Know what the preview means
The live digital preview shows a concept in your chosen style. Within the available allowance, you can ask for a change in words, such as longer hair or a different pose. The image isn’t the finished object, and it is separate from the 3D model you’ll approve before production. Colours can also look different on a screen and on the physical figurine. Our process guide explains the stages, including the discussion of your quote and the separate model approval.
A few quick questions
Is one photo enough? It can be, if the important features are visible. Can I use an old picture? Start with the clearest version you have and we’ll assess the detail. What about my own drawing? An original character drawing can be a starting point too; show its outline and important colours. Ready to explore? Try your photo in the design page, or discover the paint-your-own option.