Photography and Photo Mode Guide

Overview

inZOI features two distinct photography systems that complement each other. Photo Mode is a player-facing screenshot tool that pauses the simulation and gives full control over the camera, filters, poses, lighting, and depth of field. It exists purely for creative expression and has no effect on gameplay progression. In-game photography is a Zoi action performed through the phone camera or photography objects. These actions level the Media Production skill, earn income, and fulfil urges. Photo Mode screenshots do not count toward Media Production; only in-game Zoi actions do.

Both systems share the same visual engine, so the image quality is identical. The distinction matters for gameplay: Photo Mode is for the player's gallery, while in-game photography drives skill progression and Meow income. This guide covers everything you need to know about both systems, from basic camera controls to advanced composition techniques.

Photo Mode

Accessing Photo Mode

Photo Mode can be activated from several contexts, each accessed through the camera button on the top toolbar at the center of the screen.

There is no dedicated keyboard shortcut to enter Photo Mode; it must be activated through the on-screen camera button. Photo Mode cannot be activated during cutscenes.

Camera Controls

Once inside Photo Mode, you have full control over the camera position, rotation, and zoom. The controls are straightforward and allow you to frame any shot precisely.

The camera can be moved freely in any direction without distance limits. In indoor environments, use the Home and End keys to cycle through wall visibility options so you can frame interior shots without obstructions. Always press Ctrl+Shift+U to hide the entire interface before taking the final shot.

Framing Modes

Two framing modes are available, toggled by buttons beside the shutter button.

Portrait mode crops the frame vertically, giving you a narrower but taller composition that naturally draws the eye to the subject. Landscape mode uses a wider horizontal frame that shows more of the surroundings. Choose based on whether you want to highlight the character or the environment.

Camera Perspectives

Both perspectives work with both framing modes, giving you four basic camera setups before any further adjustments. Selfie Mode is excellent for social media-style posts and character portraits, while Play Camera Mode captures more organic moments where the Zoi is not directly engaging with the camera.

Camera Settings

Open Camera Options from the bottom-right corner of the Photo Mode screen to access these controls.

The Field of View slider is one of the most powerful tools in Photo Mode. At very low values it compresses the background, making distant objects appear larger and closer to the subject. This is called telephoto compression and it flatters facial features in portraits. At high FOV values, the wide-angle distortion stretches edges and exaggerates the sense of space, which works well for architecture shots and dramatic angles but distorts faces if the subject is too close.

Depth of Field works on a sliding scale. For single-character portraits, push DOF toward a shallow setting so the background melts into a smooth bokeh effect. For group photos, use a medium setting so that all Zois remain sharp while the background softens slightly. For showcasing builds or landscapes, turn DOF off or set it very deep so every detail stays crisp.

The Time of Day slider is independent of the actual in-game clock. You can scrub freely between dawn, midday, sunset, and midnight without affecting gameplay. This means you can shoot a sunset portrait at noon in real game time and then resume gameplay as if nothing happened.

Filters

Nine post-processing filters are available from the filter selector beside the Camera tab. Each one changes the color grading, contrast, and overall mood of the image.

These same nine filters are also available as game-wide visual filters during normal gameplay. Access them by clicking the star or sparkle icon at the top of the screen. The gameplay filter persists until you change it, so you can play the entire game in Cartoon mode or Mono if you prefer. The Photo Mode filter is separate from the gameplay filter and resets when you exit Photo Mode.

The Retro filter pairs especially well with Cahaya's tropical beaches and palm-lined streets, producing a vintage vacation postcard look. The Thriller filter enhances night photography in Dowon's neon-lit districts, and the Diorama filter works best with elevated camera angles looking down at a street or park scene.

Poses and Expressions

Photo Mode includes over 40 preset poses and approximately 10 to 11 facial expressions that can be applied to any Zoi in the scene. Poses and expressions are selected independently, so you can mix and match any combination.

Poses come in two types:

• Static poses: The Zoi holds a fixed position. Standard portrait and action stances. These are straightforward to use because the Zoi stays perfectly still.

• Dynamic poses: The Zoi performs a short looping animation. The camera captures a freeze-frame from the animation. Use the Pause/Play button at the bottom-left to freeze the Zoi at the exact moment you want.

Expressions are selected separately from poses on their own tab. The preset expressions cover a range of emotions including happy, sad, angry, surprised, and neutral states. Beyond these presets, you can achieve more nuanced expressions through Facial Capture (see below). Some dynamic poses come with unique animations and props for the Zoi to perform, adding variety beyond simple standing poses.

Poses can only be changed while the game is paused in Photo Mode. Use the Pause/Play button at the bottom-left to freeze or resume Zoi movement. When working with dynamic poses, let the animation loop several times while watching for the exact moment you want to capture, then pause at that frame.

AI Emote (Custom Poses)

The Make AI Emote feature lets you create custom poses from reference images or videos. It uses AI to analyze the body position of a person in your reference and translate it onto your Zoi. Access it from the Pose tab at the top of the pose list in Photo Mode, or through the Zoi's action menu by selecting AI Motion and then Make AI Emote.

1. Open Photo Mode and navigate to the Pose tab

2. Select Make AI Emote at the top of the list

3. Upload a reference: a video (.mp4, .avi, .mkv, .mov) for animated emotes, or an image (.jpg, .jpeg, .png, .bmp, .tiff) for static poses

4. Wait for the AI to process the reference and generate the pose

5. The new pose appears in your pose selection menu, marked in blue to distinguish it from default presets

Reference requirements: The reference must show a full-body shot of a single person. Half-body shots or images with multiple people will fail. For images, use a clear front-facing full-body photo with a plain background and minimal clutter. Formats such as .png and .jpg are recommended. For videos, use a clip featuring a single person with a stationary camera. Supported video formats include .mp4, .avi, and .mov.

Best practices and troubleshooting:

• Use high-quality images with good contrast between the subject and the background for the most accurate results.

• The AI may struggle with intricate hand movements, so complex gestures like peace signs or clenched fists might not translate well.

• AI-generated poses do not include facial expressions. You must select an expression separately from the Expression tab or use Facial Capture.

• The feature is still under development and may not always perfectly replicate the reference, especially with unusual or extreme body positions.

• Custom AI emotes are marked blue in the pose list, making them easy to find among the 40+ preset poses.

Facial Capture

For more nuanced expressions beyond the preset options, inZOI supports real-time facial capture using an iOS device. This feature translates your real-time facial movements onto the Zoi.

Step-by-step setup:

1. Install Live Link Face from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Make sure both your PC and iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

3. Open Photo Mode in inZOI and navigate to the Expressions tab.

4. Click the Facial Capture icon (smiley face icon at the bottom right).

5. A QR code will appear on screen. Open Live Link Face on your iOS device and scan the QR code.

6. Once connected, your real-time facial movements will be mirrored onto the Zoi. Smile, frown, raise eyebrows, wink, or make any expression.

7. Pause the game in Photo Mode to lock the expression in place before taking the shot.

Facial capture continues to work while the game is paused in Photo Mode, so you can fine-tune the expression before taking the shot. This makes it possible to capture extremely precise and realistic expressions that the preset options cannot replicate.

Emotes Outside Photo Mode

Custom AI Emote poses are not limited to Photo Mode. Zois can perform emotes in the open world through the AI Motion option in the Zoi's action menu. Click on your Zoi, scroll to AI Motion, and select an emote to have the Zoi perform it in real time during gameplay. Other Zois in the world can witness and react to emotes.

Emotes can also be used in the Character Studio by clicking Customize and then selecting the Pose option. This is useful for previewing how an emote looks on a particular outfit or in a specific studio backdrop before taking it into Photo Mode.

Emotes you create can be shared via Canvas, inZOI's creation-sharing platform. Other players can browse, download, and use your custom emotes in their own games.

The Themed Studio

The Themed Studio is a dedicated in-game venue designed for controlled photo shoots. Travel there through the map or community lot selection. It provides a contained environment with adjustable lighting and interchangeable backdrops, making it the ideal location for staged portraits and creative setups.

Preset backgrounds:

During the closed beta, two additional backgrounds were available (an urban playground and a car body shop) that are not currently present in the Early Access build. These may return in a future update.

Customizing the studio:

• The studio can be fully customized using Build Mode tools with an unlimited budget.

• Add furniture, paint walls, place props, and decorate with any item from the Build Mode catalog.

• Changes can be reversed at any time by selecting a preset room again.

• You can alter certain colors in each preset background. For example, the neon lighting in the Gas Station scene and the color of the sky and clouds in the Cloud Backdrop can be customized.

Lighting controls: The studio provides four lighting sliders: two for the main light (intensity and angle) and two for the backlight (intensity and angle). This allows dramatic shadow and highlight setups that are difficult to achieve in the open world. Moving these sliders around can completely change the feeling of a photo. Combine the lighting controls with the Time of Day slider for even more variety.

Where Photos Are Saved

Photos save to Documents\inZOI\Photo on your PC. A Photo Folder button at the bottom-left of the Photo Mode menu opens this directory directly. After capturing a photo, the game prompts you to save or discard the shot. Images are saved as high-quality files that can be shared, edited in external software, or uploaded to Canvas.

In-Game Photography (Media Production)

In-game photography is separate from Photo Mode. It involves Zoi actions that build the Media Production skill and can generate income. Photo Mode screenshots do not affect the Media Production skill; only in-game Zoi actions count.

Leveling Media Production

The Media Production skill governs all content creation activities in inZOI. Leveling it unlocks new video types, photography furniture, and higher income from sold content. The Curious emotional state boosts Media Production leveling speed, so getting your Zoi curious before a photography session accelerates progress.

The most efficient leveling strategy is to spam selfies using the phone camera. Each selfie takes only seconds and grants skill XP. Once you reach level 3 or above, mix in video editing sessions on the computer for larger XP chunks. Save video selling for higher levels (see below).

Video Types and Income

At higher Media Production levels, Zois can produce and sell videos on the computer. The value scales with skill level, so delaying sales until near level 10 maximizes income.

After completing a video, click "can sell" to receive Meow instantly. Advertisement Videos at high skill levels produce the most income. Give each video a title and description before selling. The selling price scales directly with your current Media Production level, so early sales leave significant money on the table. Wait until near level 10 before selling Advertisement Videos for maximum profit.

Furniture Unlocked by Media Production

The Vision Maker Computer is a higher-end computer that improves video editing workflow. The Instant Film Picture Frame displays photos in a polaroid-style format, while the Creative Corkboard lets you pin multiple images and notes. The Vintage Camera is a premium photography object that adds a retro aesthetic to your Zoi's setup.

Selfie Spots

Designated selfie spots are marked with camera icons at scenic locations throughout Dowon, Bliss Bay, and Cahaya. Parks, beaches, landmarks, and popular attractions all have selfie spots.

• Click the camera icon at a selfie spot to trigger the "Take Selfie" action.

• Fulfils the "Wants to Take a Selfie at a Local Attraction" urge.

• Provides Media Production skill XP.

• Some selfie spots offer scenic backdrops that make the Zoi's social media post more impactful.

Selfie spots are scattered across all three cities. Dowon has selfie spots at parks, plazas, and urban landmarks. Bliss Bay has them at beaches, boardwalks, and coastal viewpoints. Cahaya offers selfie spots at tropical resort locations and scenic overlooks. Visiting and using selfie spots is a natural way to combine exploration with Media Production leveling.

Posting on Bubbly

Bubbly is inZOI's in-game social media platform, similar to Instagram or Facebook in the real world. Posting selfies here is not just a fun pastime but also a genuinely useful activity: it boosts your character's mood and earns Meow Coins.

How to post:

1. Click on the Zoi to open the action menu.

2. Select Smartphone, then scroll to "Post a Selfie on Social Media."

3. The Zoi takes a selfie and posts it to Bubbly.

4. Rewards include a small amount of Meow Coins and a Tranquil mood boost.

Challenger Value requirement: Posting on Bubbly requires at least 60 Challenger Value points as a Core Value. Values with 60 points or more start affecting the Zoi's wants and choices, and the Value with the most points becomes the Zoi's Core Value. The Adventurer trait has naturally high alignment with the Challenger Value, making it easy for Adventurer Zois to unlock this action early. Activities that boost Challenger Value include painting, singing, socializing, and surfing. Challenger Zois are thrill-seeking, bold individuals who embrace new experiences and hobbies.

Using Photos for Canvas Uploads

When uploading creations to Canvas, Photo Mode images serve as thumbnails. Up to four photos can be selected per upload. You can take new photos at upload time or use previously saved Photo Mode images.

A good thumbnail significantly increases download counts for shared Zois, builds, and furniture. Bright colors that pop against the background, clean character portraits using Background Removal, and well-lit compositions all contribute to a more attractive listing. The White Studio background in the Themed Studio is particularly effective for Canvas thumbnails because it provides a clean, distraction-free backdrop.

Composition Tips

Lighting

Depth of Field

• Shallow DOF (strong background blur) works best for portraits and close-ups. It draws the viewer's eye to the subject by softening everything else in the frame.

• Deep DOF (everything in focus) is better for landscape shots and build showcases where you want every detail visible.

• For group photos, use medium DOF to keep all Zois sharp while softly blurring the background.

• Combine shallow DOF with a low FOV for the strongest subject isolation. The telephoto compression from low FOV plus the bokeh from shallow DOF creates a professional portrait look.

Rule of Thirds

Position your subject off-center rather than dead center in the frame. Place the Zoi's eyes at roughly one-third from the top of the image. This creates a more visually interesting composition than centering everything. Landscape shots benefit from placing the horizon at the top or bottom third rather than the middle.

Camera Angles

Color Coordination

Choose outfits with bright colors that pop against your chosen background. A Zoi in a vivid red dress stands out against a green park setting, while a character in dark clothing gets lost. Before entering Photo Mode, consider changing your Zoi's clothing to complement the planned backdrop. Complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) create the strongest visual contrast.

Using Props and Furniture

The Themed Studio can be decorated with any item from Build Mode using an unlimited budget. Place chairs, tables, plants, and decorative objects to create context and tell a story. A Zoi sitting on a park bench with a coffee cup creates a more interesting shot than the same Zoi standing against a blank wall. Some dynamic poses include props (instruments, sports equipment), so check the pose list for options that add visual interest.

Dynamic Poses for Action Shots

Select a dynamic (animated) pose, let it loop, then use the Pause button to freeze the Zoi at the exact moment you want. This captures mid-action energy that static poses cannot replicate. Experiment with different pause timings to find the most expressive frame. Dynamic poses with prop animations are especially effective because the prop adds a sense of activity and context.

Photography Equipment

The Photography category under Hobby Furniture in Build Mode includes seven items designed for photo sessions and content creation.

Ring lights and softboxes improve the lighting quality for in-game photo sessions. Place them around the subject to create professional-looking lighting setups. Note that these furniture items affect in-game photography actions (Zoi interactions), not Photo Mode screenshots. Photo Mode has its own lighting system through the Time of Day slider and the Themed Studio controls.

Photography Urges and Preferences

Photography-related urges appear based on the Zoi's personality and preferences.

Urges expire after 12 in-game hours if not fulfilled. The Taking Photos preference can be assigned during Zoi creation and determines whether a Zoi likes or dislikes photography activities. Zois can hold up to 10 preferences simultaneously, and preferences can change over time based on events and actions.

The Taking Photos preference aligns with four Desired Life paths: Life of Perseverance, Life of Harmony, Life of Familial Devotion, and Life of Excitement. Having this preference makes photography-related urges appear more frequently, keeping your Zoi engaged with the camera.

Photo Frames and Decorations

Photos can be displayed in the home using picture frames available as furniture in Build Mode. Players can insert custom images into picture frames by clicking the brush icon on the frame, selecting the folder icon, and uploading an image file.

Two special photo-related furniture items unlock through the Media Production skill:

3D Printer Photo Objects

The 3D Printer can transform uploaded 2D photos into decorative 3D objects. Upload any image and the 3D Printer generates a three-dimensional model based on the picture. These objects are strictly decorative and non-functional.

• Simple, symmetrical images with contrasting backgrounds produce the best results.

• JPEGs work well for fully 3D objects, while PNGs with transparent backgrounds are better for flat items.

• Use a high-quality image with a plain background and no strong shadows or other objects for the cleanest output.

• 3D-printed objects can be used as furniture decorations or turned into wearable accessories.

Photography Career

There is currently no dedicated photography or content creator career in inZOI. However, the Media Production skill functions as an informal freelance content creation path. Zois can earn Meow by selling edited videos, and posting selfies rewards Meow Coins. Players on the official forums have requested influencer, vlogger, and photographer career tracks as future additions.

Known Limitations and Upcoming Features

Photo Mode and the photography system are still evolving as inZOI progresses through Early Access. The following limitations exist as of the current version:

General Tips

• Press Ctrl+Shift+U to hide the UI before taking every photo. The clean frame looks dramatically better. This is the single most impactful improvement you can make to any screenshot.

• The Curious emotional state boosts Media Production leveling speed. Get your Zoi curious before a photography session by exploring new locations or interacting with unfamiliar objects.

• Taking selfies with the phone camera is the fastest method to level Media Production. Each selfie takes seconds and can be repeated endlessly.

• Wait until near level 10 before selling Advertisement Videos. The selling price scales with skill level, and early sales leave money on the table.

• Use Background Removal for clean character portraits. This is especially useful for Canvas thumbnails where you want the character to stand out.

• The Diorama filter turns any outdoor scene into a miniature effect. It works especially well with elevated camera angles looking down at a street or park.

• The Retro filter pairs well with Cahaya's tropical beaches for a vintage vacation postcard look.

• AI Emote custom poses are marked blue in the pose list, making them easy to find among the 40+ presets.

• Facial Capture requires Wi-Fi. Make sure both the PC and iOS device are on the same network before scanning the QR code.

• For the strongest portrait effect, combine a low FOV (telephoto compression) with shallow DOF (background blur). This mimics an 85mm portrait lens from real-world photography.

• Experiment with the Themed Studio's four lighting sliders before shooting. Even small changes to backlight intensity can create dramatic rim lighting effects.

• When uploading to Canvas, take at least two different photos: one clean portrait with Background Removal, and one in-context shot showing the creation in a realistic setting. This gives potential downloaders a better idea of what they are getting.