Honest about AI: it's not always perfect
You've probably seen the funny examples: AI images with six fingers, eyes that don't quite align, or faces that look a bit "uncanny valley." It's easy to laugh — but when it's your portrait, you want it to be right. At MakeMeFamous, we understand that, which is why we're upfront about it: AI isn't flawless. But we do everything we can to get as close to perfect as possible.
Where things can go wrong
The most common challenge is the transition between face and template. If the lighting in your photo differs significantly from the artwork, the blend can look unnatural. Low-resolution photos are tricky too — the AI simply doesn't have enough information to work with.
The angle of the face also matters. A photo from the side or from above works less well than one taken straight on. And glasses, hats, or hair covering the face make it harder for the AI to produce a clean result.
How we tackle this
We don't use a single AI model, but an entire pipeline of models working together. The first detects the face, the second adjusts color and lighting, a third checks quality. Read more about this process in our behind-the-scenes article.
On top of that, we use AI upscaling that can turn even a mediocre photo into a sharp final result. It's not a magic wand — you can't make a 60x90 canvas from a blurry thumbnail — but the difference is impressive.
What you can do for the best result
The honest truth is that your photo makes the biggest difference. A sharp photo with good lighting, with the face looking straight at the camera, produces a good result almost every time. Avoid sunglasses or hats, and preferably choose a photo with a neutral background.
More photo tips on our FAQ page, or read the specific tips in our articles about pet portraits and cat portraits.
Not satisfied? We'll help
Sometimes it doesn't work on the first try. That's okay. You can always regenerate with a different photo or template. And if you truly can't get it right, our team is ready to help you figure it out. We want you to be happy with the result — otherwise what's the point?
Try it yourself: create your portrait. And if you're unsure, check out our examples first to see what's possible.
