###### One of the first dilemmas you encounter when starting your job search is the ID photo.
"Should I go to a photo studio?", "Can't I just take it with my smartphone?", "I heard you can make them with AI these days, is it actually good?"
I also spent a lot of time pondering these three options at first. As a hair and makeup expert and photo studio operator,
I'll give you a direct comparison of the three methods. 💡
📸 Photo Studio — Reliable, but More Disappointing Than You Think
###### Photo studios are the oldest method, and therefore the most reliable. It's true that they offer high quality with professional lighting, professional cameras, and retouching.
But what happens in reality?
- 💰 It's quite expensive (typically ₩30,000 to ₩80,000)
- ⏰ It takes more time than you think to make a reservation and travel there
- 😓 It's awkward to ask for a retake if you don't like the photo
- 💄 If the staff doesn't know much about interview makeup, the result can be awkward
This is an anecdote from my own job-seeking days.
I went to a place famous for hair and makeup, but because my interview schedule was tight, it seemed like they hired a wedding makeup
staff member as a temporary artist. The result was too flashy and heavily contoured.
In the end, I had to remove it and redo it myself before going to the interview. Whether it's a photo or
hair and makeup, if they don't understand the specific needs of an [interview], you might end up with a mediocre result.
📱 Smartphone — Convenient, but Risky
Smartphone cameras are really good these days. I understand the thought, "Can't I just take a selfie and upload it?"
But in reality:
- 📐 Distortion occurs. Smartphones have wide-angle lenses, which can make your face look wider or longer than it actually is
- 💡 If the lighting isn't even, shadows appear, and your skin tone looks strange
- 🚫 Some companies tend to avoid smartphone selfie photos
- 🎨 It's difficult to process the background, retouch clothing, and adjust colors
It's a big advantage that it's free or inexpensive, but it's a big risk to have your first impression determined by the result.
🤖 Monkos. AI ID Photo — More Natural Than You Think
###### I was also skeptical at first. But my 20 years of experience as a senior photographer made me wonder, "Can a photo made with AI really look like a real ID photo?"
Those thoughts became a reality. In particular, the data accumulated from 20 years of photographic work
is what makes it free of excessive retouching. Also, the reason why we take selfies on the spot instead of using pre-taken photos and then retouching them
is to obtain natural data.
In the case of Monkos.ai:
* 📷 Select clothing, hair, and background color with just one selfie * ✨ Natural skin expression using studio lighting techniques * 💼 Automatically applies a suit setting that meets Japanese job hunting standards * 🖨️ High-quality download — can be used anywhere by adjusting pixels * 💴 Solved for about ₩10,000 (990 yen)
Artificial feeling? It feels natural even to the eyes of an expert like me.
### 📊 Direct Comparison of Three Methods
| Item | Photo Studio | Smartphone | AI (Monkos.ai) | | ------------- | ------------ | ---------- | -------------- | | Cost | ₩30,000~80,000 | Varies | About ₩10,000 | | Time Required | 1~2 hours | Instant | Within 2 minutes | | Quality | High (Conditional) | Hit or Miss | Consistently High | | Retries | Difficult | Possible | Easily Possible | | Background Selection | Limited | Difficult | Freely Possible | | Clothing Change | Impossible | Impossible | Possible | | Naturalness | Expert Dependent | Unstable | Stable |
 
### 💬 What Choice Is Right in the End?
It's not that photo studios are bad. I've been in the photography business for a long time, and if there are still good experts,
excellent results can still be achieved.
However, considering the cost, time, and stability of the results comprehensively,
I can say that AI ID photos are the most reasonable choice at this point.
  
Also, the slogan that started our monkos.ai was born for this reason.
Especially when you have to change the background color differently while applying to multiple places, or when you want to try a different hairstyle —
AI makes that possible. Once you try it, you'll think, "Why didn't I know about this sooner?" 😊
👉 Check it out directly at Monkos.ai now → monkos.ai Log in and start with 10 credits for free!
