Album Cover, prefer no AI

Reposting this after not succeeding in getting what I had hoped for the first attempt. Changing some keywords. Thanks! Hello, I am looking to make some album artwork for my upcoming EP. This will probably sound dumb as hell! I have an original picture of me with a kitten, I would like to alter the original picture to turn the kitten into a 3 headed monster, each of the heads being one of my friends in the band (will provide pictures) I would really prefer not to use AI for the final product.. but open to talking about it. I did use Chat Gpt to make an example of what i was thinking (3 snake like necks leading to the heads, kitten body stays mostly the same) but I just think it can be better and I don't love how the image feels. Additionally I would like to have a text box that goes vertically down the left side of the cover Anyway, I have attached original pic, and AI mock up. If you are interested in chatting please let me know thanks! Spencer