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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.photalabs.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

The Phota API provides three core capabilities. Each one can optionally leverage trained profiles to preserve the identity of specific people in the output.

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Edit — transform existing photos

The /edit endpoint takes one or more input images and a text prompt, then produces a transformed version. When you reference a profile, the person’s identity is preserved even through dramatic transformations.
Input photoBefore
Edited outputAfter
”Make [[abc123]] look at the camera and create a portrait shot.”
Input photoBefore
Edited outputAfter
”Combine [[abc123]] from the first image and [[def456]] from the second image in one group shot.”
Input photoBefore
Edited outputAfter
”Convert to a solo portrait of [[abc123]].”
When to use it: adding or removing people from group shots, adjusting camera angle or lighting, restyling scenes and backgrounds, creating seasonal or themed variations - anything where the edit needs to look like the real person. How profiles help: pass the user’s profile IDs in profile_ids so the API knows which identities to preserve. The API matches the people in the input photo to the provided profiles automatically. You can also use [[profile_id]] in the prompt to reference a specific person explicitly, e.g. "Make [[abc123]] smile wider". Example request body: 
{
  "prompt": "Make [[abc123]] smile wider",
  "images": ["https://example.com/photo.jpg"],
  "profile_ids": ["abc123"], # Optional, since profile_ids is mentioned in the prompt
  "base_model": "nb2", # Optional, defaults to "nb2" (Nano Banana 2)
  "aspect_ratio": "1:1",
  "resolution": "4K",
  "num_output_images": 2,
  "output_format": "jpg"
}
You can control the output aspect ratio (e.g. "9:16") and resolution (up to "4K") on every request. See Best practices.
Switch the underlying image model per request with base_model. See Base model selection for the supported values.

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Generate — create new images from scratch

The /generate endpoint creates images from a text prompt alone — no input image is needed. When you reference a profile, the generated person looks exactly like the actual person (or pet).
Generated imagePhota
”Artistic Noir Studio Headshot of [[abc123]], chest up. Introspective expression, gaze directed slightly off-camera, subtle three-quarter head tilt.”
Generated imagePhota
”Playful, photorealistic portrait of [[abc123]] and [[def456]], emerging through torn festive paper. Their hands emerge through the torn paper, holding the edges as if the subjects are emerging from the paper.”
Generated imagePhota
”Professional corporate headshot of [[abc123]]. Off-center to the right, smiling at camera, confident expression.”
When to use it: professional headshots, holiday cards and family portraits, profile pictures in any setting or style, couple and group photos where everyone doesn’t need to be in the same room — any scenario where you need a photo-realistic image of specific people. How profiles help: the generated person matches the trained profile’s appearance — face shape, features, hair, and skin tone are all preserved. Reference profiles directly in the prompt with [[profile_id]] syntax. Example request body: 
{
  "prompt": "A professional headshot of [[abc123]] in a modern office",
  "base_model": "nb2", # Optional, defaults to "nb2" (Nano Banana 2)
  "num_output_images": 4,
  "output_format": "jpg"
}
Generation is non-deterministic — set num_output_images to 2–4 and let the user pick the best result.
The /generate endpoint does not accept images or profile_ids. Reference profiles in the prompt with [[profile_id]] syntax instead. If you need to transform an existing photo, use /edit.

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Enhance — automatic quality improvement

The /enhance endpoint improves a photo automatically — no text prompt, no parameters to tune. Unlike most AI image services, Phota infers all enhancement parameters on its own: lighting, sharpness, color balance, and overall quality.
Original photoBefore
Enhanced photoAfter
Original photoBefore
Enhanced photoAfter
Original photoBefore
Enhanced photoAfter
When to use it: photos taken in poor lighting, blurry or noisy images, photos with compression artifacts — any photo where quality fell short. How profiles help: when profile IDs are provided, enhancement preserves and can improve the rendering of known faces in the photo. Example request body: 
{
  "image": "https://example.com/photo.jpg",
  "profile_ids": ["abc123"],
  "num_output_images": 2,
  "output_format": "jpg"
}

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Next steps

Profiles guide

Learn how to create and manage profiles for identity preservation.

Quickstart

Walk through the full workflow with code examples.

API reference

Explore the full endpoint documentation.