AI in Contrast to Authenticity in the World of Professional Headshots
We’ve seen plenty of examples of AI taking over in the writing world, being used for blogs, social media, and even school essays, but what about in the realm of photography? Could a computer take the place of a high-quality professional headshot photographer? A colleague asked me that the other day after seeing a service that will take photos, compile them and turn them into a series of portraits. Could it be as good as a professionally generated headshot?
Considering the Value of AI-Generated Headshots
It’s easy. Upload 10 selfies and get a hundred AI-generated headshots in 24-72 hours. In less than a week, you've got new AI headshots to use for profile pictures, social posts, or website introductions.
It sounds kind of amazing. You submit photos, save time, and have professional, generated headshots. You don’t have to stress about what to wear. You don’t have to think about hairstyles, makeup, or accessories. You get to see yourself with styles in different settings. And, you don’t have to take the time to have your photo taken from all angles.
But as someone who has watched clients transform and grow confident in front of a camera, I see that as a huge disadvantage. Our professional portrait sessions are more than just posing in front of a camera.
The Benefits of a Portrait Session
They’re an opportunity for self-discovery. My clients frequently find confidence and discover a greater ability to tap into their inner strength as they see themselves from a different perspective. Even my most reluctant clients tell me they’re surprised at how much fun they had throughout the process of getting the perfect headshot. They let loose as they get comfortable working with me, and their personality emerges for the camera. The result is a profile picture that they can post with pride.
The Reality of a Photograph
AI-generated headshots can give you an idea of what you might look like from different angles in different settings. But that’s their limitation. It’s a compilation of the photos you upload combined with some filler content. It’s not you. It’s more like a sophisticated avatar. Maybe it's a form of art, but really it's more imitation.
A Profile Picture that Reflects you
The realism of being in the room in front of the camera results in photographs that capture and highlight the best of who you are. They project a genuine reflection of you. When people see a well-done headshot, it’s like they’ve met the person in the photograph. They become intrigued as they get a sense of who the subject is, and they want to know more.
Can AI imitate that? In a sense, yes. But it’s still just an imitation. It can’t fully replicate a photograph taken by an experienced photographer who understands how the lighting, angles, and colors set the tone.
A computer can’t take the place of a real person who knows how to create the right mood to bring out the subtle facial expressions that make the photo come to life. It can't help you with facial expression coaching, which is so critical to capturing the right image. An a.i. headshots are about users, not people. AI can give you new headshots, but not professional headshots.
AI can only take what’s already been created, mix it up and regurgitate it. Whether it’s words or images, AI merely rehashes what’s been put into it. It’s limited by its programming and a lack of ability to be truly creative in the human sense.
A Photograph is More Than an Image
My photo shoots begin even before you come to the studio with a private, personalized styling consultation. We talk about what you want to accomplish in life and how this photo fits into your goals and dreams. This matters because your headshot can help propel you forward in ways you don’t expect. It represents you. It’s what you will use to open doors and solidify relationships.
A client once explained that seeing her photo motivated her to live up to what she saw in the headshot. She said the woman in the picture was a strong executive with a touch of creativity. Seeing that helped her to believe that about herself and inspired her to live up to that reality
Personalized Attention For Personalized Profile Pictures
During your consultation, we’ll go over what to wear and how to prepare. We will talk about your styles. You’ll learn things like color doesn’t matter as much as you might think. Good colors for your professional headshot are the colors that you like and feel confident wearing. Fit, on the other hand, does matter. Clothes that sag or stretch distract. Busy patterns and chunky jewelry can also draw away the viewer’s eye.
Going Beyond Styles
We’ll also take a deep dive into anything that might make you uncomfortable or nervous about getting your picture taken. I understand that it can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking. I’ve talked to so many people who have put off updating their headshots because they’ve had a bad experience or they don’t believe it will come out well. A computer doesn’t know what questions to ask to get at what is holding you back. It also doesn’t know how to advise you on how to feel your best so you will look your best.
The AI programs I’ve seen will put you against more backdrops than I will. You could be in the woods, in the city, or on the beach. But there are reasons I promote having headshots taken in a studio against a simple background. It helps with controlling the lighting. But more importantly, it puts the focus on you. Instead of thinking about where you are, the viewer looks at you and appreciates who you are.
Artificial Intelligence has come a long way. The fact that technology can generate essays that earn passing grades or create dozens of unique headshots in days could be considered impressive. But can a computer give you great-looking images to use as your professional pictures for LinkedIn, your company website, and where ever else you might want to use it?
I’d say it’s the difference between grabbing a fast-food hamburger and dining at a high-end steakhouse. You get what you pay for. They’re not really comparable. A high-quality headshot gives the viewer a true sense of who you are. It captures your authentic self and makes you shine.
About Alissa
Alissa is a professional headshot photographer who creates photos that capture your essence. Alissa is based in New Jersey and provides her headshot services in NJ and NYC. Check out more of Alissa’s portfolio on the homepage, and read more photo stories on the blog.