PHOTO REQUIREMENTS
Tiny Desk AI photo requirements: which photos work best?
The photo decides most of the result. Use one clear, everyday photo of one adult per role, framed from the head to around the waist, so the model can keep that person recognisable through the song.
- JPG, PNG or WebP
- Up to 10 MB each
- 3:4 vertical works best
GOOD PHOTOS
What does a good photo look like?
One adult, alone in the frame
No group photos, and no other faces, hands or arms at the edges.
Head to waist, vertical
3:4 works best. Keep the full face and hair in frame, and avoid tight face-only crops and distant full-body shots.
A clear, well-lit face
Even light, eyes visible and nothing covering the face. Skip sunglasses, masks and heavy filters where you can.
A simple background
A plain wall or an uncluttered room keeps the focus on the person.
PHOTOS TO SKIP
Which photos should you skip?
Official headshots and press photos
Team headshots, celebrity and press photos are usually blocked. Use an everyday personal photo instead.
Group shots and crops of them
Leftover faces, shoulders or hands at the edges can end up in the video.
Dark, blurry or filtered photos
The model cannot recover detail that the photo does not have.
Children or people who have not agreed
Use photos of yourself or of adults who are happy to be in the video.
FILES
Which file types and sizes work?
Upload JPG, PNG or WebP images up to 10 MB each. Photos straight from a phone camera are fine. If your phone saves HEIC photos, share or export them as JPG first.
THE LEAD
Does the lead singer need a better photo?
Yes. Photo 1 gets the close-up in the middle of the video, so it is the face people look at longest. The backing performers appear smaller in the group shot, so their photos have a little more room for error.
See which spot appears in which shot in the five-person Tiny Desk AI guide.
UPLOAD MESSAGES
What do the upload messages mean?
Choose a JPG, PNG or WebP image under 10 MB.
The file is not a JPG, PNG or WebP image, or it is larger than 10 MB. Export or resize it, then upload it again.
This photo was blocked, likely as an official headshot or copyrighted image. Replace it with an everyday personal photo, then create again.
The photo looked like an official or copyrighted image. Replace it with an everyday personal photo of the same person.
LIKENESS
Why doesn't the video look like me?
The face is small or soft
Use a closer, sharper photo framed from the head to the waist rather than a full-body shot.
Hair or clothing changed
Each person is rebuilt inside the original performance, so hairstyles, clothing and accessories can drift. A photo that clearly shows the outfit helps.
Two people look mixed together
Very similar photos, or the same person in several spots, can trade features between roles. Use clearly different photos for each role.
Results still vary
Exact resemblance is not guaranteed. If a video fails to generate, the video is returned to your balance.
Photo questions
Can I use a selfie?
Yes, if it is sharp and shows your full face and hair. A photo taken from a little further away, head to waist, usually works better than a close selfie.
Can I wear a hat or sunglasses?
A hat is fine if your face is clearly visible. Sunglasses hide the eyes, so the result is usually less like you.
Can I use a photo of a celebrity?
No. Celebrity, press and official team photos are usually blocked, and you should only use photos of people who have agreed to be in the video.
How many photos do I need?
One for Solo Cast, which recasts the lead singer, or five for Outstanding Five, which recasts the whole band.
SOURCES & DISCLOSURE
What this guide is based on
The origin and spread of the format are documented by the original performance, the first viral coaches edit and reporting on its creator.
Published November 1, 2026 · Updated November 1, 2026
- NPR Music · Charlie Wilson Tiny Desk Concert (2023)
- Original viral college-football edit on TikTok (2026)
- The Athletic · interview with the edit creator (2026)
Disclosure: Tiny Desk AI operates the paid creation tool described here. This is product documentation and a first-hand development account, not an independent review.
Tiny Desk AI is not affiliated with or endorsed by NPR, Tiny Desk Concerts, Charlie Wilson, The Gap Band, TikTok or CapCut.
The public generated example demonstrates the fixed role order and one saved result. It is not a success-rate claim or a guarantee of likeness, motion, identity continuity or lip sync for every input.
Got the right photos?
Upload them and make your Outstanding Tiny Desk AI video.