diff --git a/photo_tagger.py b/photo_tagger.py
index ab752b4..3670acf 100644
--- a/photo_tagger.py
+++ b/photo_tagger.py
@@ -3480,12 +3480,54 @@ class PhotoTagger:
             else:
                 people_filtered = None
             populate_people_list()
+            # Update right panel based on filtered results
+            source = people_filtered if people_filtered is not None else people_data
+            if source:
+                # Load faces for the first person in the list
+                first = source[0]
+                try:
+                    # Update selection state
+                    for child in people_list_inner.winfo_children():
+                        for widget in child.winfo_children():
+                            if isinstance(widget, ttk.Label):
+                                widget.config(font=("Arial", 10))
+                    # Bold the first label if present
+                    first_row = people_list_inner.winfo_children()[0]
+                    for widget in first_row.winfo_children():
+                        if isinstance(widget, ttk.Label):
+                            widget.config(font=("Arial", 10, "bold"))
+                            break
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                # Show faces for the first person
+                show_person_faces(first['id'], first.get('full_name') or first.get('name') or "")
+            else:
+                # No matches: clear faces panel
+                clear_faces_panel()
 
         def clear_last_name_filter():
             nonlocal people_filtered
             last_name_search_var.set("")
             people_filtered = None
             populate_people_list()
+            # After clearing, load faces for the first available person if any
+            if people_data:
+                first = people_data[0]
+                try:
+                    for child in people_list_inner.winfo_children():
+                        for widget in child.winfo_children():
+                            if isinstance(widget, ttk.Label):
+                                widget.config(font=("Arial", 10))
+                    first_row = people_list_inner.winfo_children()[0]
+                    for widget in first_row.winfo_children():
+                        if isinstance(widget, ttk.Label):
+                            widget.config(font=("Arial", 10, "bold"))
+                            break
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                show_person_faces(first['id'], first.get('full_name') or first.get('name') or "")
+            else:
+                clear_faces_panel()
         
         def clear_faces_panel():
             for w in faces_inner.winfo_children():