How to take a face-analysis photo you can compare later

Choose even light

Face the light source so both sides of your face are visible. Avoid standing with a bright window behind you. Strong overhead or side light can cast shadows across the eyes, skin, or jawline.

The goal is a clear record, not a dramatic portrait. Use a spot that you can return to. If daylight changes a lot in that room, note the time and conditions so you can make a fairer comparison later.

Keep the camera and face position consistent

Look directly toward the camera and keep your head upright. Include the full face without cutting off the forehead or chin. Hold the phone at a comfortable distance instead of moving it very close to one feature.

Use the same camera when comparing later scans. Keep the approximate distance and height similar. Do not compare a close, tilted selfie with a straight photo taken farther away and assume every difference comes from a change in your appearance.

Source: Ward and colleagues, 2018: Nasal Distortion in Short-Distance Photographs

Understand camera distance and mirrored selfies

Make the face easy to see

Use a relaxed expression. Keep hair away from important features where practical, and remove items that obscure the eyes or other parts of the face. Avoid beauty filters and edits that change shape or smooth texture.

If makeup or facial hair differs between photos, record that context when reviewing the result. The app sees the submitted image. It cannot turn an edited or partly covered photo into a direct measurement of what was hidden.

Check the photo before submitting

Look at the image once at a useful size. A quick check can prevent a record that is difficult to interpret later.

• One face, facing forward, with the whole face visible.
• Even light and no strong shadow hiding a feature.
• A clear image with no motion blur or beauty filter.
• A camera position and expression you can repeat.
• A photo selected for clarity, not for the score you hope to receive.

Keep the photo beside the result

After the scan, read the explanation and look back at the photo. If a future score changes, compare the input conditions before changing your routine. Lookist's scan history helps you return to earlier reports. It does not remove the need to judge whether the photos are comparable.