AI headshots vs. photo retouching: which do you need?
Updated November 7, 2026 · 5 min read
The first question is whether you already have a photo you want to keep. If you do, a crop or a careful edit may solve the problem. If you need new variations and can accept that generated images may miss your likeness, an AI headshot service is another option.
Choose your path
1. Do you have a photo that looks like you now?
- Yes, and it already fits the destination: Preserve it. Check that you have permission to use it and that the destination accepts it. Keep a copy of the original before making a crop or other changes.
- Yes, but something specific needs fixing: Consider an editor or retoucher. Write down the change you want and what must stay recognizable.
- No, or you want to explore new portrait variations: Consider a new photograph or AI-generated headshots. A photographer can make a current portrait with you present; generation creates new images from submitted photos.
2. Does the destination require a genuine, unaltered photograph?
If it does, use a suitable real photo and follow its instructions. AI-generated images are not photographs and should not be used for passports, IDs, licenses, or other official documents.
3. Must a particular photo remain the foundation?
Choose an editing workflow and discuss the boundaries with the editor. Fylvy generates new images; it is not a manual retouching service and does not promise an identity-preserving edit of an existing photo.
Know what kind of edit you are requesting
Ordinary edits can include cropping, exposure or color adjustments, and removal of a temporary blemish. Even small changes can affect how a portrait is perceived, so agree on the result and retain the original.
Generative editing uses AI to create or replace image content. Depending on the tool, that can change details that were present in the original. Ask an editor what method they use, what they will alter, and whether you can review the result before accepting it.
AI headshot generation takes a different path: it produces new images from source photos. Review the face, clothing, background, and small details in each result. A polished image is not automatically a faithful one.
What Fylvy offers
Fylvy costs $39 once for 40 AI-generated headshots in 10 preset looks, with 768 × 1024-pixel output. You must be 18 or older and submit 8–20 recent selfies of the adult subject, with permission and the rights to use the photos. Forty generated images does not mean 40 usable or unique images, and likeness is not guaranteed. Individual outfit or background customization is not promised.
If a particular real photo already does the job, keeping it may be the simplest choice. If you want a new real portrait or direct control during a session, consider a photographer. For that comparison, read AI headshots vs. a photographer. For the broader purchase decision, see Are AI headshots worth it?.
Frequently asked questions
Can Fylvy retouch the photo I already like?
Fylvy generates new images from submitted selfies. If you want a specific existing image adjusted, ask a photo editor or retoucher about that image and the changes you want.
Is cropping the same as generating a new headshot?
No. A crop selects part of an existing image. Generation creates a new image, so details and likeness need review.
Will every generated headshot look like me?
No. Results vary, and some may not resemble you. Inspect each image against your current appearance before using it.
What if I need an exact outfit or background?
A photographer or editor may be a better fit when exact details matter. Fylvy includes preset looks and does not promise individual outfit or background customization.
Where can I review the purchase terms?
Read the Terms and Refund Policy before ordering. If generation fits your needs, you can start an order.
Ready for your own headshots?
Upload a few selfies and get 40 professional headshots in 10 looks for $39.