How do you make an AI character from a photo?

In Beni Studio you upload one photo, choose a voice and write a personality, and Beni turns it into an animated character you can video call. The character speaks with lip-synced video and remembers your conversations.

Updated October 2026 · Beni AI by Bagel Labs

Step by step

Upload a photoA selfie, a drawing or a pet. Beni brings the face to life so it can move, react and talk.
Pick a voiceChoose how they sound: the tone, the pace and the warmth.
Shape who they areWrite the personality, their history and how they talk to you.
Generate, then callThe cost of the character is shown before you tap Generate. Saving an unfinished draft costs nothing, and if generation fails for a technical reason you can retry once at no extra cost.

Photo rules to know

Use an image you own or have the rights to use.
If the photo shows a real, identifiable person other than you, you need that person's consent.
Images of anyone under 18 are not allowed.
Copyrighted artwork, photographs or characters need the rights holder's permission.

These rules come from the Beni AI Terms of Service, section 7 and section 9. Read the Terms.

Where to do it

Open Beni Studio in a web browser at studio.thebeni.ai/create, or use the Beni AI app on iPhone. Your character, its voice and its memory are the same on both.

Questions people also ask

Can I use a drawing or a photo of my pet?

Yes. Beni Studio works with a selfie, a drawing or a pet photo, as long as you have the right to use the image.

Can I make a character from a photo of someone else?

Only with their consent. If the photo shows a real, identifiable person other than you, the Terms of Service require that person's consent, and images of anyone under 18 are not allowed.

How long does it take?

Most of the time goes into choosing the voice and writing the personality. The cost is shown before you tap Generate, and you can save a draft at any point without paying.