Photo & AI Policy

Our four promises

• We use your photo only to create your book — never for anything else.
• We never use your photos to train AI models. Not ours, not anyone's.
• We never sell, rent, or publicly share your photos.
• We delete your photo 30 days after your book is delivered — and never later than 120 days after you upload it; if it's never delivered, 30 days after upload.

How a photo becomes art

You upload one clear photo. Our system studies your child's features — things like hair, skin tone, and the shape of a smile — and uses AI illustration to paint a consistent character who looks like them, in a warm, painterly storybook style. That character then stars on every page of the story you chose.

The result is artwork, not a filtered photograph. We aim for “that's so them!” — a lovingly illustrated version of your child, not a photo-real copy.

What to expect from AI illustration

AI art is wonderful but not a photocopy. Here's what that means in practice:

• Your child will be recognizable and consistent across the book, in a storybook art style.
• Small artistic differences from the original photo — and gentle variation page to page — are normal and part of the charm.
• Every order is backed by our 30-day happiness guarantee, so there's no risk in trying.
• Not happy with how a character turned out? Tell us — we'll revise it until you're happy. Printed books are also covered by a full money-back guarantee.

Your part: consent & rights

Please only upload a photo you have the right to use — of your own child, or one whose parent or guardian has given you permission. By uploading, you confirm you have that right. This keeps every child on our pages there with the blessing of the grown-up who loves them.

Deletion & your control

Your uploaded photo is automatically deleted 30 days after your book is delivered — the same window as our happiness guarantee, so we can still put things right if anything is wrong — and never kept longer than 120 days after upload. If we never deliver your book — a cancelled or refunded order, or one we couldn't complete — we delete your photo 30 days after upload. You can also ask us to delete your photo and account data at any moment — just email us and it's done.

Your finished book is yours to keep and re-download; if you'd like that removed too, we'll take care of it on request.

Safety & dignity

Every story is gentle and age-appropriate by design. We don't create content that sexualizes, endangers, or demeans children, and we'll decline any request that does. Our goal is simple: books a child will feel proud and delighted to see themselves in.

Honest about AI

We believe in being upfront: the illustrations in your book are AI-generated, guided by your photo and your choices and reviewed for quality. We think that's something to celebrate — it's what lets us make a one-of-a-kind book, starring your one-of-a-kind child, at a price families can afford.

Have a question we didn't answer? Email hello@hellostorybook.com and a real person will help.