From a photo to a character

Create a picture book from your own photos More than a photo album. A new story.

A familiar face or a beloved pet can make a story personal. In PictureBook, your photos are references for new illustrations—not ready-made photo-book pages.

Toni in a red raincoat and green boots explores raindrops with a frog and a blue bird
Illustration from a PictureBook example
1

How is it different from a photo book?

A traditional photo book collects existing photographs. Here, you describe a story and generate new pictures to go with it. A photo helps AI interpret a character; the result is an illustration in your chosen style, not an unchanged copy.

2

Choose a useful reference photo

Pick a clear image in which the person or pet is easy to recognize. A simple setting and a visible face make the character easier to describe. Do not upload identification documents or photos with private paperwork in the background.

3

Describe the role, not just the appearance

Explain who is in the photo and what that character will experience. Mention important details, such as a red raincoat or a favorite toy. Too many characters and conflicting instructions make the idea harder to follow.

4

An example description

“Mila and her dog search the garden for a missing toy. Mila wears a yellow jacket. The photos show the main characters. Tell a friendly story with short sentences and watercolor illustrations.” This is a sample idea, not a preview of a guaranteed result.

5

Choose a style and review the result

Next, choose the language, reading level, art style, and page count. When the book is ready, check names, text, and the characters’ appearance. AI illustrations may differ from the photo or change details between pages.

6

Use photos thoughtfully

Only upload photos you are allowed to use. Obtain the necessary consent from other people and take particular care with children’s photos. Our Privacy Policy explains how images are processed.

Privacy · Help & contact

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my own photos?

No. A description of the characters and story is enough. Photos are optional.

Will a character look exactly like the person?

That cannot be guaranteed. AI interprets the photo in the chosen style. Watercolor, paper collage, and pixel art intentionally produce different results.

Can my pet be the main character?

Yes. Upload a suitable photo and describe the animal, its name, and its adventure. You can also describe your pet without uploading a photo.

Are my photos automatically made public?

No. Creating a book is not the same as sharing it publicly. The web community is currently hidden. See the Privacy Policy for details about storage and processing.

Real PictureBook illustrations

No two ideas look the same

Watercolor, colored pencil, or paper collage: explore different visual worlds.

A small gray mouse wearing a big blue woolly hat and a red scarf in a meadow
Friendship · WatercolorNix and the Big Hat
Fini, a little fox, sits beside his mother outside their den, with short German story text in the image
Feeling safe · Text in the imageKleiner Fuchs
Mila makes a glowing paper moon lantern in the evening while a cat watches
Evening mood · WatercolorMila und die Mondlaterne

See all examples with descriptions →

Ideas for your book

Where will your story begin?

Your next story is waiting

What story would you like to tell?

Start with a little idea. Let’s bring the rest to life together.

Start for free

Your choice

May we measure ad results?

Only with your permission do we load the Google Ads tag to connect sign-ups and purchases to an ad. Without consent it stays off.

Privacy