Childhood Friends in Summer

Transform the man and the woman in the attached reference image(s) into genuinely adorable childhood versions of themselves, both approximately 6–9 years old. Aspect ratio 4:5 portrait.

FACE MATCH — TOP PRIORITY: Each child must be unmistakably the SAME person as their reference — the boy is the man, the girl is the woman. Do not blend or swap their features between the two children. Identity accuracy matters more than cuteness, outfit or background. For EACH person, preserve in child form:
- exact face shape and jawline/chin shape
- eye shape, eye size ratio, eye spacing, eyelid type and iris color
- eyebrow shape, thickness and arch
- nose shape — bridge, tip and nostril width (scaled down, not replaced with a generic small nose)
- lip shape, lip thickness and their exact smile (teeth showing or not, smile curve, dimples if present)
- ear shape, forehead size and hairline shape
- EXACT same skin tone and undertone for each person — do not lighten, whiten or equalise their complexions
- any distinctive marks such as moles, birthmarks or freckles in the same position
Age-regress naturally: only soften and scale features to child proportions — do NOT replace their features with generic cute child features. Natural black hair only — no grey, white or salt-and-pepper hair.
Anyone who knows them should instantly recognise both children. The test: "This is literally them as kids."

SUBJECTS: Two children — a little boy based on the man and a little girl based on the woman. Boy: Remove ALL adult facial hair completely — absolutely no beard, no moustache, no stubble, no goatee, no sideburns. Clean, smooth, naturally youthful face with no mature adult features. Short, neat boyish haircut. Girl: no makeup, no mature styling, cute age-appropriate hairstyle. Show them as playful childhood best friends — cheeky, fun, completely innocent and friendship-based. No romantic poses, no hand-holding, no hearts, no kissing, no bride/groom styling.

SCENE: A grandparents' traditional village house during summer vacation. Courtyard steps with red oxide flooring, mango tree shade, brass water pots, an old bicycle leaning on a whitewashed wall, warm golden afternoon light with dust particles glowing in the sunbeams. The boy wears a cotton t-shirt and shorts; the girl wears a cotton frock with two braids. They sit together on the steps with mangoes — the girl trying to snatch the boy's mango, both laughing with juice on their cheeks.

FRAMING: Face clearly visible, sharp and well-lit, facing the camera or at most a slight three-quarter angle, nothing covering any part of the face. Medium close-up so the face is large enough in the frame to carry the likeness.

STYLE: Realistic nostalgic photograph, warm tones, natural skin texture, gentle background blur. Wholesome, innocent, emotionally warm.

AVOID: changing the person's identity, generic or 'beautified' child faces, lighter or different skin tone, copying the adult face exactly, adult facial maturity, generic unrelated children, cartoon or baby-doll features, exaggerated eyes, adult makeup or styling, face turned away or covered, text, watermarks, distorted hands or extra fingers.

GOAL: "Awww… this actually looks like them when they were little kids."