There are ways to use AI that don’t replace your real presence, but to use them as fake assets in your brand strategy and claim that they are you irl… this is not a good idea. Read on to find out why.
1. You miss the somatic experience of a real photoshoot
A photoshoot is not just about getting content. It is a nervous system experience. You letting your real self land in front of the camera. That embodied experience creates confidence you can feel in real time. Especially if you’ve had your hair and makeup done. For many people it’s a transformational experience. An AI clone skips that process completely, so you lose the actual transformation that happens in the room.
2. It is inauthentic and subtly It erodes trust by creating a false version of you
When you use an AI clone as if it were a real photo of you, you’re asking people to build a relationship with a version of you that does not actually exist.
If you show a polished, AI-generated “you” on your website and socials, then show up to a meeting or Zoom looking noticeably different, the client’s body registers that mismatch instantly. They may not call it out, but something feels off.
Over time, that gap between “online you” and “real you” erodes trust. People can’t quite relax, they second-guess what they’re seeing, and the sense of safety and congruence that a personal brand should create starts to crumble.
3. It encourages self abandonment
Using an AI clone sends a quiet message to your nervous system that the real you is not enough to be seen. You outsource your visibility to a synthetic version, which reinforces old patterns of perfectionism and performance. Instead of building a relationship with your real face, body and presence, you abandon yourself in order to be more “acceptable.” That might look good in the feed, but energetically it undermines you and your business.
Personally for imagery that represents you and your business, I would suggest against it.
Where you CAN use an AI clone
1. When there was no photo or video taken and you’re trying to convey an idea
If you’re describing a concept that never actually happened in real life (future vision, a “what if” scenario, a metaphor), an AI clone can work as long as you’re not pretending it’s documentary.
Example: an image of “you” standing on a mountain to talk about big-picture strategy or long-term vision.
2. Storyboards and moodboards for future shoots
Use your AI clone behind the scenes to explore poses, outfits, lighting and locations before you book a photographer. This keeps your real brand imagery grounded in actual photos, while AI is used purely as a planning tool to clarify the vibe and direction.
AI is not meant to to replace you. It’s meant to ENHANCE you and your business. I know it’s tempting to use a perfect clone to represent you but it lacks real connection people crave and trust.
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