1. A computer implemented method, comprising: receiving one or more digital images of an individual; determining, in a computer, digital representations of facial elements of the individual from the one or more digital images; searching a population of avatars using a genetic process, where the genetic process includes using the computer to evaluate the overall fitness of the avatars using a fitness function that compares the digital representations of the individual's facial elements to digital representations of corresponding avatar facial elements; and selecting or receiving a selection of one or more avatars from the population of avatars based on fitness values associated with the avatars.