Abstract: A method for automated categorization of human face images based on facial traits, said method comprising a facial trait extracting phase, comprising the steps of: providing a multitude of images comprising human faces, for each image sampling a multitude of points in said image to obtain point sample data, for each sampled point extracting visual features from said point sample data, for each image assigning said visual features to predefined codewords by applying a codebook transform, for each image extracting facial traits by applying a kernel-based learning method's prediction algorithm to said codewords to establish the probability that a facial trait from a predefined set of facial traits is present in said image, and extract said facial trait for said image if said probability is higher than a predefined threshold.