AI headshots vs real headshots

In times when AI is literally everywhere around us, it seems like a no-brainer to make use of all the tools we have at our fingertips.

Apart from ChatGPT, Google Bard, Notion AI, and all the other helpers, you probably have seen apps as well that generate headshots from existing photos for you.

As a Personal Branding and Headshot Photographer, I felt threatened at first. And then I realised that I don’t really have to be.

You can use apps like PhotoDirector or Photoleap to create a headshot to use on LinkedIn for free or very little money. But is that really going to be the best choice for you? Only you can make that decision but let me share my point of view on this…

Unless you’re new around here, you know I’m passionate about helping people show up confidently – in their personal as well as their professional life. It’s about acceptance, showing personality and connecting with other people authentically.

In preparation to writing this article, I used Photoleap to create headshots of myself to see what it can do. And I’m shocked in many ways…

Some examples look great – not at all like me, but very convincing to someone who might not have met me. None of the images I received, featured my curly red hair as it is. The app straightened my hair in almost every image. Most of the time it dimmed my hair colour, gave me blond or dark brown hair. Now I understand that there are beauty standards that are probably fed into these programmes but if an app thinks I look better when I don’t look like myself, I get worried. I also have been made lighter by at least 15kg and my skin is super smooth and nicely tanned.

I’m a fair-skinned redhead with freckles and tattoos with a semi-athletic but normal body shape. None of that is visible in any of the images the app created for me.

On a side note, I love that AI is still incapable of creating hands and fingers 😆

Using a digitally created photo of your face (and body) takes away all the authenticity that a personal headshot aims to show.

I know, a lot of photographers retouch images quite heavily. There’s the option to work with a brand photographer who has a client closet for you to choose outfits from, books a hair and make-up artist to “doll you up” and make you look “your best”.

I don’t do or recommend any of that.

My clients come to me in their own clothes, most of the time they do their own make-up. I edit your photos but don’t airbrush you or make any part of your body slimmer.
Showing up authentically means being okay with our flaws – which by the way nobody who matters would judge or even see.

We don’t have to look or be perfect to be a perfect fit for someone we want to connect with.

The opposite is true actually. Showing up with our faults, being vulnerable and real, makes us relatable and gives us an opportunity to really speak to everyone else who is just as imperfect as we are. We like knowing that we’re not the only person struggling with something. We want to belong so badly that someone who is flawless and perfect can be an inspiration but not someone we honestly can connect with.

Apart from that, having your photo taken, is an act of self-love. Confidence doesn’t come from dreaming about confidence. It comes from doing the work, showing up despite the fear, and surprising yourself at how bold you can be and how empowering it feels to do something you were so scared of doing.

The act of having your photo taken only feels uncomfortable when you don’t connect with your photographer. After a while, most of my clients relax and trust me to photograph them authentically while creating images for them that they will love. Because it’s about how they feel during the time they spend with me.

The more time we spend together, the easier it gets to let go of what you think you should look like, how you should move or what you should do. After a session, my clients give me a big smile, relieved that the experience was so much more enjoyable than they expected and they walk away with a spring in their step, knowing they overcame a fear of showing up.

That’s what builds confidence. It helps you show up long after working with me, knowing that you can do scary things.

An AI headshot can’t do that for you.

It can create a beautiful photo where you might look a few years younger, a few pounds lighter, better dressed. It may look like the best version of what you imagine yourself looking like. But how does that relate to the moment you see your clients and customers in real life and they see “the real you”. The imperfect version, not the AI edition.

I mean, it could be that nothing happens. But it could also result in people not trusting you, not being able to relate. In the worst case, this can cost you business. Is that worth it?

Only you can decide that.

By the way, I want to make it clear that I’m absolutely NOT against AI. In 2023, we can’t hide from it but we can be smart and honest in how we use it. So… use it wisely and think twice about putting a beautiful AI headshot on LinkedIn to make new business contacts!

Want to have a chat about how it might be to get some real headshots done? Get in touch and let’s find out!