Phota Labs Launches AI Photo App on iOS After Raising $5.6M

Key Takeaways

1Phota Labs launches a free iOS app that transforms everyday photos into professional-looking images using AI

2The app includes an invisible watermark to indicate modified images and plans a freemium model as well as an Android version

3The startup raised $5.6 million in seed funding from a16z and was founded by two former Adobe employees

Why it matters : Phota Labs aims to make professional photo editing accessible to everyone while preserving the identity and authenticity of the subjects.

Phota Labs arrives on iOS with an AI photo assistant that corrects shots while claiming to preserve the identity of subjects. The app launches for free, displays invisible watermarks, and is preparing a freemium model along with an Android version.

Funding, Free Launch, and Android Roadmap

Phota Labs raised $5.6 million in seed funding during a round led by a16z last year. The app is launched for free on iOS to build a user base. The company plans to later adopt a freemium model and offer an Android version in the future.

Use Cases and Feedback from Early Tests

The app allows users to transform a wide-angle group photo into a tighter portrait or convert a selfie into a classic shot. According to Zach Xia, beta testers appreciated seeing enhanced versions of real-life moments, considering the results as photographic memories rather than AI-generated images. The founders also observed that users took more photos, knowing the app could enhance them later.

Proprietary Technology, Varied Styles, and Image Marking

The team has developed a personalization technology that learns the identity of individuals and retains it during transformations. Cecilia Zhang describes Phota as a proactive assistant, akin to a virtual photographer that browses through the photo roll and anticipates the best possible shot. The app offers various photographic styles, from subtle retouches that preserve the original composition to more pronounced effects like fisheye, alternative angles, or different perspectives. Modified images carry an invisible watermark that indicates they have been edited by AI when shared on social media. While other generative AI tools may alter the appearance of individuals, especially in blurry photos, Phota Labs claims to focus on correcting the shot while preserving the natural appearance of subjects.

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Team from Adobe and Target Audiences Beyond Social Media

Phota Labs was founded by Cecilia Zhang and Zach Xia, two former Adobe employees who worked on Project Indigo, Lightroom, and Photoshop. Backed by a16z, the startup initially targets individuals who take a lot of photos and share them on social media without wanting to go through manual editing. The founders then plan to broaden their audience, particularly retirees looking to create beautiful photos for their grandchildren and parents eager to share well-curated family albums. Cecilia Zhang notes that the app can transform deemed unusable snapshots into print-worthy images. Zach Xia emphasizes the importance of authenticity through an identity model and understanding personal context. The founders believe existing tools enhance photos but poorly correct a botched shot, while their ambition is to automate editing to make it accessible to everyone.