---
title: "How to choose photos for a book that really looks like your child | Once Books"
description: "A few clear, well-lit photos beat a big pile of blurry ones. Here is exactly what to upload — and what to avoid."
source: "https://www.oncebooks.com/blog/how-to-choose-photos-for-your-book/"
---

Blog

# How to choose photos for a book that really looks like your child

[Dharmik Jagodana](https://www.oncebooks.com/authors/dharmik-jagodana/) · 10 August 2026 · 3 min read

- [getting started](https://www.oncebooks.com/blog/tag/getting-started/)
- [photos](https://www.oncebooks.com/blog/tag/photos/)

The photos you upload are what let a book star your child by name and face. You don’t need a photo shoot — you need a few clear ones. Here is what actually helps.

## What to upload

- Three to five clear, well-lit photos of your child’s face.
- A mix of angles — straight on, and a little to each side — so the face is understood in three dimensions, not one.
- Recent photos, so the book looks like your child now.

## What to avoid

- Heavy filters, sunglasses, hats pulled low, or anything covering the face.
- Busy backgrounds and group shots where it’s unclear which child is the hero.
- One single photo. A single angle gives the illustrator less to work from, and the likeness suffers.

Those photos become your [reference images](https://www.oncebooks.com/glossary#reference-image) — the anchor every page is generated against. The step-by-step version, with what happens to the files afterwards, lives in [the help centre](https://www.oncebooks.com/help/add-your-childs-photos).

## Questions parents ask

**How many photos do I need?**

Three to five clear, well-lit photos of your child's face, from a few angles. More isn't better — a handful of good ones beats a big pile of blurry or filtered shots.

**Can I use just one photo?**

You can, but the likeness suffers. A single angle gives the illustrator less to work from; a few angles let the face be understood in three dimensions rather than one.

**What kind of photos should I avoid?**

Heavy filters, sunglasses, hats pulled low, busy group shots, and anything covering the face. Recent, clear, face-forward photos work best.

## Related reading

- [Reluctant readers: how to get a child excited about books](https://www.oncebooks.com/blog/reluctant-readers-see-themselves/) — Most children who "hate reading" just haven't met the right book. Practical, specific ways to change that, from graphic novels to letting them pick.

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