I’ve recently been playing with AI-generated images for my personal brand — experimenting with new ways to represent myself visually online. And it’s got me thinking.
As someone who owns a business brand — and is the brand in many ways — the idea of using AI images of myself isn’t something I take lightly. This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about identity, authenticity, and how we present ourselves in our businesses.
And here’s where I’ve landed for now (and I say “for now” because this is still evolving for me):
I actually feel very comfortable with it. In fact, it’s sparked a much deeper reflection on the entire idea of what’s “real” when it comes to our personal image.
The Illusion of “Real” – It’s Always Been There
Yeah, I’ve done photo shoots. I’ve hired makeup artists, borrowed clothes, pulled together props and locations — all to create the curated images for me and my brand. And yes, I’ve stood under lights in awkward poses that don’t feel natural, smiling in ways I wouldn’t if I weren’t being directed to.
Even the clothes I wear in photo shoots are often not mine. They’re borrowed or specifically chosen to communicate something about who I want to be seen as — not necessarily who I am on a Monday morning in jeans, sipping tea while clearing emotional wounds.
Then there’s the post-production phase. The photographer works their magic: retouching blemishes, adjusting lighting, smoothing skin. And voilà — we get the final image. Beautiful, glossy… and yes, strategic. But also, not quite me.
And yet — no one questions that.
No one says, “That photo isn’t really you.” It’s simply accepted that professional photography is part of building a personal brand. We accept that these images are curated, styled, and enhanced to put our best foot forward.
So here’s my question: if we accept all of that, why do we flinch when AI enters the picture?
For me, AI-generated images are just an extension of that same process. Instead of hiring a team, I now have a tool. Instead of flying to a location or pulling together a wardrobe, I can input my vision and get something that aligns with how I want to be seen — often more aligned, and certainly more accessible.
It’s no different from makeup, really.
AI: The Digital Makeup Bag?
Ah… make-up! Let’s talk about that for a moment. As a former beauty product marketer, I know this industry well.
Every day, women wear makeup to present a version of themselves to the world. We cover blemishes, dark circles, greys. We sculpt and highlight. It boosts confidence and helps a lot of women to feel brilliant about themselves.
Is that false? No.
It’s expression. It’s enhancement. It’s identity in action.
Representation ≠ Deception
AI, in this context, is the same. It’s just a new form of styling — a virtual beauty bag, a digital wardrobe, a creative direction assistant rolled into one. And I’m here for it!
Some might argue that using AI imagery is inauthentic — that it presents a version of ourselves that isn’t “real.” But so are all those other things.
Representation doesn’t mean deception. Whether it’s makeup, editing, or AI — we’re always choosing how we want to be seen.
That doesn’t make us liars. It makes us storytellers.
What matters more is intention.
Are we using these tools to hide who we are — or to amplify what we stand for? To me, the difference is everything.
I want my brand images — whether taken by a camera or generated by a machine — to reflect me. Not just my face, but my energy. My values. My creativity. My vision.
And I believe that’s possible with AI — just as it is with a photographer, a stylist, or a makeup artist.
Is AI More Honest, Even?
With AI, I’m not pretending that I got up at 5 a.m., had my hair done, packed a suitcase full of outfits, flew to Marrakech, and posed in golden hour light wearing a £500 jacket. I didn’t do that. But if I use a real photo shoot from a setup like that, no one questions it.
With AI, I can admit, “This is an image I’ve created to express a mood, an aesthetic, a brand message.” It’s a construct — but so is every photo shoot.
Maybe AI just strips away the illusion that the photo was ever “natural” in the first place.
What’s Important is Alignment
For me what’s Important is alignment and intention.
It’s our responsibility as brand owners to ensure that what we put out into the world — whether it’s an AI image, a selfie, or a photo shoot pic — aligns with who we are and how we want to serve.
And right now, for me, using AI-generated images feels aligned.
It’s fun. It’s creative. It’s empowering.
I’ve worked in beauty. I’ve worked in fashion. I know what goes into manufacturing an image. And frankly? AI feels like more freedom, not less. It’s like having a box of infinite makeup, endless wardrobe options, and the ability to shoot anywhere in the world — without the expense, the stress, or the posturing.
So if someone wants to criticise that? That’s fine.
But I know why I’m doing it. And I know it’s rooted in the same desire I’ve always had as a brand owner: to show up in a way that feels true, expressive, and meaningful.
And I’m having way more fun doing it this way than I ever did squinting into the sun in a windy park in heels I couldn’t walk in.
ai pic – obviously
