Custom Model Upload Guidelines
Custom models let you lock in a consistent face and look across all your Caimera images, so every lifestyle campaign, PDP, and lookbook feels on-brand.
You can use the same model for different products, poses, and backgrounds without retraining or starting from scratch each time.
You can create and add your custom models on Caimera on the Pro and Enterprise Plans. Adding a custom model costs 75 credits per model.
Teams typically add custom models when they:
- Want a signature brand/model that repeats across campaigns and catalogs for stronger storytelling.
- Need to match a real-world model, ambassador, or house model they already use in shoots, at a fraction of production time.
- Are scaling content (seasonal drops, marketplaces, ads) and need fast, high-volume visuals that still look like “them,” not generic AI.
You can either create a model on Caimera or upload an existing model that you have.
Adding a model to Caimera is one of the most important steps in your workflow, the images you upload become the foundation for every generation that follows. A little care here goes a long way, so we've put together this guide to help you get it right the first time.
Privacy
Any model you create is private to your own workspace, only your team can see and use it. Follow these guidelines closely, and you'll get a model with accurate proportions and consistent results across every generation you create.
What you need
To create a custom model, you'll need two photos:
- A full body shot — showing the model head to toe
- A close-up shot — cropped at the waist
These can be photos of a real model or an AI-generated model; either works, as long as the guidelines below are followed.
Background and lighting
Both images should be shot in a catalog setting, against a plain white or gray background. Editorial backgrounds, busy scenes, or colorful settings aren't supported for either shot.
Lighting should be even and consistent across both photos. Since details like skin texture, makeup, and tone carry forward into every image you generate afterward, uneven or dramatic lighting at this stage can throw off your results down the line.
Pose and proportions
This is the part that makes the biggest difference to how accurate your model looks.
The model should stand facing forward, straight on, with arms relaxed by their sides — a simple, neutral, eye-level shot. Avoid three-quarter angles, overhead or low-angle shots, and posed or editorial stances. If the pose differs between your two photos, or if the shot isn't taken straight-on at eye level, our AI can misread the model's height and proportions which can lead to odd results, like a head that looks too large for the body.
Make sure the model is fully visible in frame, with a bit of padding around them on all sides (don't crop too close to the head or edges), this helps the AI detect the model accurately.
Styling and hair
Keep styling simple think a plain t-shirt and shorts, or a bodysuit. Busy or bulky clothing can interfere with how well products layer onto the model later.
If your model has a distinctive hairstyle or hair length, make sure at least one side is clearly visible in the shots. Otherwise, hair length may render inconsistently across your generations.
Cropping
- Full body shot: head to toe, front-facing, catalog setting
- Close-up shot: cropped at the waist — not higher (e.g. not at the bust). A bust-level crop doesn't give the AI enough information to understand the model's proportions correctly.
Also double-check that the model's face matches across both photos — any mismatch between the two can lead to an inconsistent-looking model.
Other things to avoid
- Photos with more than one person in them
- Editorial or styled settings
- Low-resolution or blurry images always use the highest-resolution (upscaled, where possible) version of your photos
Made a mistake? Contact us via in-app chat, we’ll help you fix it.
Quick recap
Do | Don't |
|---|---|
Use a full-length + close-up shot, both in a catalog setting | Use an editorial or busy background |
Keep lighting even across both shots | Mix lighting styles between shots |
Shoot straight-on, at eye level, arms relaxed by the sides | Use three-quarter, overhead, or posed shots |
Leave padding around the model in frame | Crop too tightly to the head or edges |
Crop the close-up at the waist | Crop the close-up at the bust |
Show one side of the hair clearly | Hide hair length/style |
Use simple, fitted styling | Use busy or bulky clothing |
Use high-resolution, upscaled photos | Use low-resolution or blurry photos |
Include only one person per photo | Upload group shots |
FAQs
- Can I use an AI-generated model instead of a real photo?
Yes both work, as long as the photos follow the same guidelines (catalog setting, straight-on pose, correct cropping, and so on).
- Can I edit the model's skin tone, body type, or age after it's created?
No. These details are locked in at the time of creation and can't be changed afterward. Double-check your photos before finishing model creation.
- What if I uploaded the wrong crop by mistake?
Reach out to us via the in-app chat and we'll help you sort it out, this isn't something you can fix yourself from your end.
- Can I use the same model for the Background/Model Swap tool?
No, custom models created this way aren't available for the Background/Model Swap tool.
- Why does my generated model have a disproportionately large or small head?
This usually happens when the pose differs between the two shots, or when a shot isn't taken straight-on at eye level (for example, a three-quarter or overhead angle). Make sure both photos show the model standing straight, facing forward, with arms relaxed by their sides.
- Can I upload a photo with more than one person in it?
No, each photo should have only one person, with their face clearly visible.
- Does the close-up shot need to be cropped at the bust?
No, crop it at the waist, not the bust. A bust-level crop doesn't give the AI enough information to read the model's proportions accurately.
- Will other people in my organization see the models I create?
Models are private to your own workspace, so only your team can access and use them. Your custom models are now ready to use on the Editorial Images, video and Catalog Images tools.
Refer this article to learn how to create your own custom models- How to Create, Add and Use Custom Models on Caimera
Take your Image generations further:
👤 How to use Editorial Templates on Caimera: Using editorial templates in Canva to create lifestyle catalog images and other visuals you need in Caimera.
🧩 How to use the Draw & Edit Tool: Explore creative ways to enhance your images with step-by-step tutorial.
🗂️ How to Organize, Save, and Delete Image Layers in Caimera: Manage your workflow efficiently by organizing and controlling your generated image layers.
Have a question or running into an issue? Reach us via the chat bubble or at contact@caimera.ai.
Updated on: 09/09/2026
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