I Let A.I. Create a New Headshot for Me

If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed my new headshot. I’m pretty happy with it. Cool background, season-neutral outfit, pensive facial expression. But what you may NOT know is that I didn’t pose for this image. I’ve never stood between those buildings and I don’t own that beige sweater (unfortunately). This image was created for me using an A.I. headshot program. It’s 100% computer generated.

Earlier this month, I saw a video in which a CNN producer created a new headshot using the website Headshot Pro. I decided I need to try it out for myself! Here’s how it went.

First, I logged on to Headshot Pro and selected one of their packages. They offer a one-time fee of 1) $29 for 40 headshots and one style, 2) $39 for 120 headshots in three different styles, or 3) $69 for 240 headshots in six different styles. I opted for the $29 package.

Next, it was time to select my outfit and background. There are several different clothing options (sweaters, button-downs, blazers, t-shirts) and colors (black, blue, purple, gray, white). I opted for a black sweater. Then, it was time to pick my photo background. You can position your A.I. self in front of a building, in a lobby, at a house, next to a bookcase, in the woods, in front of a window, or in a café. You can also choose a solid color as your background. I opted for an alleyway. So, wearing a black sweater in an alley… not at all suspicious, right?

The third step was to upload photos — and I clearly had some issues here. In order to create your A.I. headshot, the program uses existing pictures of you. I think they recommend at least 20-25 quality images. The website provides guidance on the photo requirements. There’s a minimum file size, with your face being a certain size within the image, and the background not being too colorful or too busy. You also need to be by yourself in the image, looking at the camera. I uploaded several high-resolution images that were rejected because my face needed to take up 20% of the image. (Lesson learned there). But I was able to find 20-25 high res images and re-size the ones that were rejected during the first round.

Once you make your clothing and background selections, and upload the appropriate images, it’s time to wait for the A.I. program to generate your headshots. The website predicted at least a 24-hour wait time, but I had my images back in about an hour. Headshot Pro emailed me when they were ready.

So, how did they look? I was surprised to see that my black sweater / alleyway combo yielded many different poses, outfits, and hairstyles. There was a pretty decent selection. Upon closer examination, some of the images looked a lot like me. And by “a lot” I mean the image might pass as a real photo. Others… the face shape, eye color, or general expression looked a little off. As in, maybe that person could be a cousin, but it definitely wasn’t me. Here are some of the highlights, the “most Megan” of the crop of AI headshots:

And…. here are the images that made me go, “huh?” Either the resemblance is too far off, or the image looks like it went through several heavy filters. If you look closely on some of these, there are also issues where the clothing looks pixelated or the facial features just don’t line up correctly. Also, my eyes aren’t blue.

In the end, what did I think of the A.I. headshot process? I think it was worth the $29 for a decent headshot. I actually ended up getting more than 40 photo options; Headshot Pro offered an extra 12 images of me standing in front of the woods. (But honestly, the woods background just didn’t appear realistic. It almost made the images of my face appear even more filtered and processed).

I swapped out my profile photo on Facebook and LinkedIn for the new A.I. image, and the response was positive. A couple of people realized that it was an A.I. image, or at the very least, a heavy filter. But I would say 90% of the people who reacted to my new photo thought it was a real image of me.

Would I recommend Headshot Pro? Yes. If you’re in need of a new profile photo and have some decent high-res selfies on hand, it’s a good, quick option. (Although, as the CNN producer pointed out, if you already have high-res selfies, why would you need to pay for a new headshot?) Do I think programs like Headshot Pro will replace traditional photography sessions? No. These images still have an Uncanny Valley feel. Computer-generated headshots are nothing compared to a quality camera and a beautiful day outside.

Megan Hodgkiss is the CEO & Principal Writer of Hodgkiss Consulting LLC. She works with law firms, non-profits, and service-based businesses across the US on content marketing and copywriting projects. Did you need help with an upcoming writing project? Please reach out! Hodgkiss Consulting offers free, 20-minute discovery sessions.