Best Practices

5 Common AI Portrait Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Avoid these frequent pitfalls when creating AI portraits. Learn what causes poor results and discover simple solutions for better outcomes.

PortraitWiz Team
•
January 5, 2025
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7 min read

Creating AI portraits can be incredibly rewarding, but there are common mistakes that can lead to disappointing results. Whether you're new to AI-generated images or looking to improve your technique, understanding these pitfalls will help you create better portraits consistently.

Mistake #1: Vague or Generic Prompts

The Problem

Many users start with overly simple prompts like:

While AI can work with these, the results are often generic and lack personality.

Why It Happens

When you're new to AI generation, it's natural to keep prompts simple. However, AI needs more context to create a portrait that matches your vision.

The Solution

Be specific about key elements:

Instead of: "A professional portrait"

Try: "Professional headshot of a confident business executive in their 40s, wearing a navy suit, with soft studio lighting and a clean white background"

Key elements to include:

Quick Fix

Add 3-5 specific descriptors to every prompt. Think about: who, what, where, how, and why.

Mistake #2: Not Using Reference Images

The Problem

Relying solely on text descriptions to capture specific facial features often leads to inconsistent or inaccurate results.

Why It Happens

Many users don't realize that reference images dramatically improve results, or they only upload one photo.

The Solution

PortraitWiz allows up to 4 reference images—use them!

Best practices:

  1. Upload 3-4 clear photos of yourself
  2. Use different angles (front, side, three-quarter)
  3. Ensure good lighting in reference photos
  4. Choose high-resolution images
  5. Include natural expressions

The difference:

Quick Fix

Before your next portrait generation, upload at least 2-3 reference photos from different angles. This single change can dramatically improve accuracy.

Mistake #3: Conflicting Style Elements

The Problem

Combining incompatible styles or moods in a single prompt creates confused, inconsistent results.

Examples of conflicts:

Why It Happens

When brainstorming ideas, it's easy to combine elements you like without considering if they work together.

The Solution

Choose a clear, consistent vision:

Pick one primary style:

Match all elements to that style:

Professional:

Artistic:

Quick Fix

Write your prompt, then review it for conflicts. Ask yourself: "Do all these elements support the same overall mood and style?"

Mistake #4: Ignoring Lighting Descriptions

The Problem

Generic lighting terms or no lighting descriptions at all lead to flat, unprofessional-looking portraits.

Weak lighting descriptions:

Why It Happens

Lighting is a complex topic in photography, and many users don't know the technical terms.

The Solution

Learn and use specific lighting terminology:

For professional portraits:

For natural portraits:

For dramatic portraits:

Quick Fix

Choose one specific lighting style and add it to your prompt. Reference our lighting guide for more options.

Mistake #5: Not Iterating and Refining

The Problem

Expecting perfect results on the first try and giving up when they don't meet expectations.

Why It Happens

AI generation seems magical, so people expect instant perfection. In reality, even professional photographers take multiple shots.

The Solution

Treat AI generation as an iterative process:

Step 1: Start with a baseline prompt Create a basic version with core elements

Step 2: Analyze the result What worked? What didn't match your vision?

Step 3: Make targeted adjustments Change ONE element at a time:

Step 4: Test variations Try 2-3 variations of your refined prompt

Step 5: Find your formula Once you get great results, save that prompt structure for future use

Quick Fix

Don't give up after one attempt. Generate at least 3 variations, making small changes to your prompt each time.

Bonus Tip: Keep a Prompt Journal

What It Is

A simple document where you record:

Why It's Valuable

How to Start

Create a simple note file with this format:

Date: [Date]
Prompt: [Full prompt]
Result: [Excellent/Good/Poor]
Notes: [What worked, what didn't]
Keep/Modify: [Keep for future or needs changes]

Quick Checklist: Before Generating Your Portrait

Use this checklist before hitting generate:

Common Questions

Q: How long should my prompt be? A: Aim for 15-30 words covering the key elements. Quality over quantity.

Q: Can I fix a portrait that didn't turn out well? A: Yes! Analyze what went wrong, adjust your prompt, and try again. AI generation is fast, so iteration is encouraged.

Q: Should I use the same prompt for different people? A: You can use the same structure, but adjust descriptions to match each person's features and style preferences.

Q: What if I get good results but want to try variations? A: Great! Keep your base prompt and make small, specific changes to explore variations.

Key Takeaways

  1. Be specific - Detail beats vagueness every time
  2. Use reference images - They dramatically improve accuracy
  3. Stay consistent - Match all elements to one cohesive style
  4. Master lighting terms - Lighting defines professional quality
  5. Iterate and learn - First try rarely perfect, refinement is key

Ready to Put This Into Practice?

Now that you know what to avoid, you're ready to create stunning AI portraits. Remember:

Visit PortraitWiz and put these tips into action. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll be creating professional-quality AI portraits in no time!

Happy creating!