Motionix / Your workspace
Your headshot. Better framing.
Give an existing photo a clearer frame, not a new face. Choose the shape, adjust the crop, and keep your background or remove it only when that helps your layout.
1:1 / 4:5Three steps. One result to inspect.
Choose a clear original
Use a recent, well-lit photo with room around the head and shoulders. Crop-only mode does not require a segmentation model.
Adjust the frame
Pick a suggested aspect ratio and adjust where the crop sits. Keep the background or explicitly choose removal; inspect the face and edges.
Download and check
Compare the real output dimensions with your layout. Keep the original and check the receiving site's current requirements.
How to crop a photo for a CV or resume
Start with the employer's instructions: a CV photo is optional or discouraged in some contexts. This tool is a framing aid, not a recommendation to add one to every application. Choose a shape that works in your document and leave enough space around the face. Adjust the crop rather than assuming an automatic center crop found your head. A small original cannot gain real detail by enlargement, and a larger JPEG is not automatically a more professional photograph.
Square headshots and circular profile previews
The suggested square and portrait frames are layout presets, not verified LinkedIn or employer rules. A site may display a square file inside a circular mask, so leave margin around the hair and chin. Check the actual preview after uploading. The wide preset can suit a document or email layout, but a narrow portrait inside it may be cropped heavily. Reframe from the source rather than repeatedly cropping an already exported copy.
Keep a natural background or make a separate cutout
Keeping the original is the simplest starting point. Optional background removal uses the same local segmentation engine as the dedicated tool and needs model assets on its first run. Hair, glasses and low-contrast edges can need inspection. Changing a frame or color should not require cutting out the same photo repeatedly. A plain background cannot certify a passport photograph, repair poor lighting or guarantee a hiring outcome. For detailed mask restoration, use the dedicated background-removal workspace.
JPEG or PNG for a resume photo?
Use the format your destination accepts. JPEG is often practical for photographs but uses lossy encoding; PNG may cost more bytes and does not restore old JPEG damage. Check the displayed pixel size, bytes and appearance before using the result. If you need a lower byte ceiling, compress the downloaded copy only after settling the frame. Local processing does not require a photo upload, but the site and optional model downloads still use the network. Keep originals rather than treating a temporary result as a backup.
Your files, with explicit choices
Image processing does not require an upload. The site and processing assets use the network. Results are not automatically backed up. Download your result and keep the original.
Frequently asked questions
Does this create a new AI headshot or change my face?
No. It frames an existing photo and optionally removes its background. It does not generate a new face, clothing or lighting.
Are the presets official profile-photo requirements?
No. They are suggested aspect ratios and pixel dimensions. Check the current destination instructions and preview, including any circular crop.
Can I keep the original background?
Yes. Start in crop-only mode. Background removal is optional and may make edge mistakes; inspect the result before downloading.
Will enlarging the crop improve a blurry image?
No. Enlarging adds pixels through resampling, not genuine source detail. Prefer a sharper original and a frame that does not need enlargement.
Is a photo necessary on every CV?
No. Requirements and expectations differ. Follow the employer's instructions rather than assuming a photo helps every application.
Sources and the limits of this page
Sources checked
- MDN image format guide
JPEG/PNG capabilities and the distinction between encoding and detail.
- MDN canvas image export
Browser quality settings are not a certification of visual equivalence.
These references explain formats or published requirements. They do not represent a partnership or an inspection of your file. Check the current requirements before using an export.