AI Headshots vs Real Headshots

Great headshots feel effortless because I do the work. Your job is to breathe and be yourself.

What people usually mean by “AI headshots”

Most people mean software that fabricates portraits from a handful of casual selfies. It can look convincing at a glance, but it often stumbles on hands, earrings, hairlines, skin texture, and small asymmetries. Real headshots are photographed, coached, and lit on purpose.

Strengths and tradeoffs

• AI - fast, low lift, decent for tiny avatars or placeholders.
• Real - true to you, consistent across a team, ready for LinkedIn, press, and speaker bios.

Look at catchlights, skin detail, hair edges, and clothing lines. Small tells add up.

When AI can work

• Internal tools or org charts that stay small on screen.
• Short term placeholders while you wait for a shoot date.

When real headshots win

• LinkedIn, About pages, and conference materials where trust matters.
• Team pages that need the same lighting, background, and framing for everyone.

My take

AI is fine for a quick stand-in. If your face represents your brand, invest in images that feel like you in person.