Choose one reason the photo feels wrong
Harsh side shadows, a stiff smile and a distracting passerby are different problems. Start with lighting if the expression already works. Start with a smile if the face is tense but the light is good. A smaller edit is easier to evaluate than a request to make everything perfect.
Use the existing retake controls
Open the retake tool, upload the target photo and choose the closest preset. Add a short detail such as “soften the dark shadow on my left cheek, keep the smile and background”. You may add 1–4 clear reference photos of the same person when you want more identity guidance.
The first image is the photograph being edited. Reference photos are guidance, not additional people to combine into the scene. Keep heavy filters and unrelated faces out of those references.
Compare the face at useful detail
Look at eye shape, teeth, jawline and skin texture before judging the overall glow. Compare the hairline and the edge of glasses too. Keep an edit only when the change helps the actual problem without introducing a more distracting difference.
Generating several alternatives creates separate paid images. Start with one, read the displayed quote and decide whether another version is worth requesting.
A short instruction you can use
Keep my facial identity, age, hairstyle, outfit and the setting. Soften the harsh facial shadows and make the expression slightly more relaxed, with realistic skin texture. Keep the existing smile shape and avoid changing facial proportions.