AI Photo Editor for Resume Photos
Meet international CV photo standards without the expensive studio visit.
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"Moving to Germany for work and every job application needed a Bewerbungsfoto. Studios here wanted 40 euros. Fixed up a photo I took at home with proper background and lighting - HR said it looked very professional." @ExpatsInBerlin
Built for International Job Seekers
In much of Europe, Asia, and Latin America, CVs include professional photos. It's expected - missing one can hurt your chances. Professional photo studios charge 30-80 euros for a single CV photo. EditThisPic lets you create a proper, formal resume photo from any decent photo you already have. Look professional without leaving home or paying studio prices.
Tools for Resume Photos
Replace Background
Create neutral professional backdrop required for CV photos
Enhance Lighting
Even, professional lighting for formal appearance
Enhance Face
Subtle professional retouching for polished CV photo
Remove Background
Clean cutout for precise background control
Fix Color
Correct color casts from indoor lighting
Step-by-Step Guide
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Choose a suitable starting photo
Pick a photo where you're looking directly at the camera with a neutral or slight smile. Wear formal attire appropriate for your industry (suit/blazer for corporate, smart casual for creative). Ensure your face is well-lit without harsh shadows.
Background replacement: 25-30 seconds. Full professional styling: 35-45 seconds.Check the formality expectations in your target country. German CV photos are typically more formal than French ones. Asian markets often prefer conservative, neutral expressions. -
Describe your resume photo style
Type your instruction: 'replace background with neutral professional gray, formal CV photo with even lighting' or 'create professional resume photo suitable for European job applications, clean white background.'
Specify your target market: 'formal German Bewerbungsfoto style' or 'professional photo suitable for Asian job market' -
Review for professional standards
Check that your expression looks professional and approachable (not too stiff, not too casual). Verify the background is clean and neutral without distractions. Ensure lighting is even and flattering. Your resume photo should look like it came from a professional studio.
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Fine-tune and download
If edges need cleanup or lighting needs adjustment, use markers on specific areas and regenerate. Download in high resolution for print applications. Consider creating variations with slightly different backgrounds for different application types.
Save your high-resolution version. You may need the same photo for LinkedIn, visa applications, and company onboarding later.
Copy-Paste Prompts for Resume Photos
replace background with professional neutral gray, formal CV photo style, even studio lighting, appropriate for job applications
Neutral gray works universally across all countries and industries - the safest choice
create formal Bewerbungsfoto style resume photo, light gray professional background, conservative and polished, appropriate for German job market
German applications expect formal, professional photos - conservative is better
replace background with pure white studio backdrop, professional CV photo lighting, clean formal appearance
White backgrounds are common for Asian markets and passport-style CV photos
replace background with soft light blue professional backdrop, formal CV photo style, corporate appropriate
Light blue is acceptable in many markets as an alternative to gray, especially in finance
Show 4 more prompts
create professional CV photo suitable for Japanese/Korean job market, neutral background, formal conservative appearance, even lighting
Asian markets often prefer more conservative, neutral expressions with formal styling
professional resume photo for Latin American job applications, neutral backdrop, warm but professional lighting, approachable yet formal
Latin American markets appreciate warmth while maintaining professionalism
professional CV photo for creative industry, clean modern background, polished but approachable, contemporary professional style
Creative industries allow slightly less formal styling while still looking professional
fix the harsh indoor lighting, correct color balance for natural skin tones, replace background with neutral gray, make it look like studio lighting
Indoor photos often have color casts and uneven lighting - this fixes both
| Edit Type | Prompt | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral gray (universal) | professional neutral gray, formal CV style |
25s | Try This → |
| German formal | Bewerbungsfoto style, conservative |
25s | Try This → |
| White background | pure white backdrop, formal |
20s | Try This → |
| Full professional styling | neutral gray, even lighting, polished |
35s | Try This → |
Real Examples
Home selfie to formal German CV photo
You need a Bewerbungsfoto for German job applications but only have a selfie taken at home. The background shows your apartment and the lighting is uneven.
replace apartment background with professional neutral gray, formal Bewerbungsfoto style, even studio-quality lighting, conservative professional appearance
Vacation photo to Asian job market CV
Your best recent photo is from a vacation where you were dressed nicely, but the tourist background and casual vibe doesn't work for conservative Asian job applications.
replace tourist background with clean white professional backdrop, formal CV photo suitable for Japanese corporate applications, conservative polished appearance, neutral expression
Office party photo to professional CV
The best photo where you're wearing business formal is from an office party. The background shows other people and party decorations that don't belong on a CV.
remove party background and people, replace with neutral professional gray gradient, enhance lighting for formal CV photo quality, polished but natural
LinkedIn photo to formal EU CV standard
Your LinkedIn photo is too casual for formal European job applications. It has a blurred background but the style is more American tech than European corporate.
replace casual blurred background with formal neutral gray backdrop, enhance to European CV standard, more conservative professional styling, even formal lighting
When Things Go Wrong
Photo looks too casual for formal job market
Why: Your expression or styling may read as too relaxed for conservative markets.
enhance for more formal conservative CV photo style, professional polish, reduce casual feel, appropriate for traditional corporate environment
For German, Japanese, or Korean markets, err on the side of more formal. A neutral expression often works better than a big smile.
Background color doesn't look professional
Why: The shade of gray or white may be off, or there's a color cast affecting it.
replace with pure neutral gray background, no color cast, professional studio backdrop, completely clean and even
Specify 'neutral' to avoid blue-gray or warm-gray variations. Pure gray is safest for CV photos.
Skin tones look unnatural or orange
Why: Color correction may have gone too far or the original had a strong color cast.
fix skin tones to look completely natural, remove any color cast, accurate neutral color balance
Indoor lighting often creates yellow/orange casts. The AI can correct this but sometimes needs explicit instruction.
Hair edges have halos or look choppy
Why: Fine hair strands are difficult to separate cleanly from complex backgrounds.
Tap markers on hair edges, then: blend hair naturally with gray background, smooth clean transition
Photos where your hair contrasts with the original background work best for clean edge separation.
Looks over-retouched or artificial
Why: Multiple enhancement requests may have accumulated too many changes.
Start fresh with just: replace background with neutral gray, keep face completely natural and unchanged
CV photos should look professional but real. Do background first, then decide if face needs any adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a photo on my CV?
In most of Europe (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland), much of Asia (Japan, Korea, China), and Latin America (Brazil, Mexico), CV photos are standard and expected. Not including one may hurt your chances. In the US, UK, and Canada, photos are typically not included. Check the norms for your target country before applying.
What background color is best for resume photos?
Neutral gray is the safest choice - it works across all industries and countries. Light gray or off-white are also acceptable. Pure white works well for Asian markets. Avoid bright colors, patterns, or anything distracting. The focus should be entirely on you, not the background.
How formal should my expression be?
This varies by country. German and Asian markets prefer neutral to slight smile, more conservative. French and Southern European markets accept warmer expressions. Latin American markets appreciate approachable smiles. When in doubt, a neutral pleasant expression (slight closed-mouth smile, direct eye contact) works universally.
What should I wear for a CV photo?
Dress one level more formal than you would for an interview in that role. For corporate jobs: suit and tie (men) or blazer (women). For creative industries: smart business casual. Avoid bright colors, busy patterns, or anything that dates quickly. Navy, gray, white, and black are safe choices.
Can I use the same photo for LinkedIn and my CV?
Your CV photo should generally be more formal than LinkedIn. LinkedIn allows friendly, approachable styling. European CV photos are often more conservative and formal. You can use EditThisPic to create a more formal version of your LinkedIn photo with a neutral background and conservative styling.
How is this different from passport photo requirements?
CV photos have fewer technical requirements than passport/visa photos (no specific sizes, no biometric standards). However, they should look equally professional. CV photos can show more personality through expression - you don't need the neutral expression required for government documents.
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