A clear photo gives your personalised sports card a strong starting point. You do not need a studio or specialist camera. A recent phone photo can work well when the subject is easy to see.
Choose a photo that shows the moment
Pick a photo that feels like the person you want to celebrate. It might show a proud finish, a favourite position, a team moment or the personality that makes them special.
Use good, even light
Outdoor shade or soft window light usually works better than a harsh flash. Check that the face is bright enough to see and that the subject is not lost in a dark background.
Keep the subject clear
Choose a photo where the face and upper body are easy to identify. Avoid heavy filters, screenshots, blurry action frames and photos with another person standing directly in front of the subject.
Leave a little space around the subject
A little room around the head and shoulders gives the design more flexibility. Do not crop tightly at the hairline or chin before sending the image.
Send the original image
Use the original photo from your phone or camera where possible. Social-media downloads and screenshots can be smaller and less clear.
What happens after you order?
After checkout, we email you to collect the photo and the details for the card. You choose Portrait or Action, we create a digital proof, and you approve the key details before anything is printed. The finished card is placed in its clear magnetic display case and dispatched from Auckland.
See How Personalised Sports Cards Work, read the FAQ, or view the Hero Slab Collector Edition.
