1. An image processing apparatus that detects a face area from image information, the image processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores therein a determination pattern to detect a face area from image information; a determining unit that determines a face direction in which a face image in the image information is upright based on the determination pattern; and a detecting unit that matches direction of the image information with direction of the determination pattern based on the face direction, and detects a face area from the image information.