There’s no doubt we’re living in a tech revolution, with big strides in artificial intelligence (AI) over the last few years. One of the most noticeable advancements has been in AI image production. AI has gone from making overly manufactured photos to today’s realistic and accurate depictions that are making first-rate photography accessible to all.
This is great news for those wanting to elevate their professional image. Next-generation AI tech has introduced a raft of AI headshot generators that make it quick and easy to produce high-quality, lifelike professional images. These generators offer a much more affordable solution to getting those all-important headshots, which are expensive in time and money if you go to a professional photographer.
Why do you need a professional headshot?
We’re living in a digital world, so presenting yourself professionally online is equally as important as how you present yourself in real life. Consequently, you need to take your personal branding seriously, whether it’s on your CV, social channels, website or LinkedIn profile.
Your headshot is in most cases your new client or potential employer’s first impression of you, and as we know first impressions matter. If you use an improper or amateur photo of yourself, it makes you look unprofessional from the word go. And you’ll have the same adverse effect if you make the common mistake of using an outdated headshot, and they meet you in person to see you look nothing like the image anymore.
How do AI headshot generators work?
Designed to give you photoshoot-quality headshots at a fraction of the time and cost of hiring a professional photographer, AI Headshot generators are quick, easy and very affordable to use. All you need is a computer or device and a selection of selfies or photos to get started.
By answering a few simple questions and uploading a few photos (the quantity varies per generator), each AI headshot generator can produce professional, lifelike headshots in the hundreds in as little as 2 hours. All with varying backgrounds and outfits but using AI tech that recreates your features and enhances them to show off your best side like a real photographer would.
It’s important to use existing pictures that differ and paint you in the best light, where it’s just you in the photo and there are no obvious obstructions. But each AI tool will remind you of this during the upload process and reject any pictures that don’t meet these criteria.
We’ve curated a list of the most popular AI headshot generators on the market, to help you pick the best for you
1. Portrait Pal AI
One of the most popular AI headshot generators, Portrait Pal has so far created over 2.5 million high-resolution headshots for those looking to elevate their professional image. From Google to Coca-Cola, some impressive multinational corporations have turned to them for their expertise.
And we can see why, as they produce fine-tuned, high-quality headshots that capture likeness spot-on – think you but always at your best. They look just like they’ve been taken by a professional photographer with a range of clear and realistic-looking backgrounds, unlike other AI generators below that lack this skill.
Portrait Pal AI’s easy-to-navigate website is quick and effortless to use. Simply upload or take 6 or more pictures of yourself and answer a few simple questions about your features to let the generator work its magic in as little as 2 hours.
Understanding the needs of different professions is what makes Portrait Pal AI stand out. Lawyers, bankers and doctors for example will require more of a corporate image, whereas more creative roles may benefit from headshots that are more contemporary. So, Portrait Pal AI takes this into account presenting you with a range of more traditional poses to more modern ones.
There are 3 competitive packages to choose from at Portrait Pal AI. The starter package offers 20 headshots with a 3-hour processing time, and the basic package gives you 60 headshots with a 2.5 processing time. Finally, our top choice is the premium package that offers you a huge 100 in just 2-hours.
2. HeadshotPro
Turning your selfies into professional headshots, HeadshotPro is another top-ranking AI headshot generator. Producing good-quality images with a real likeness when it comes to the face, yet unfortunately for us, it is slightly let down by the fake-looking backgrounds.
The range of the backgrounds is a nice mix, as are the outfit choices, but they just look more computer-generated when compared to Portrait Pal AI’s and so lose out on the top spot.
You can get around this by opting for a plain-coloured background, which looks very professional and keeps the focus on you. Yet, this may lack creativity depending on what your needs are.
We can’t fault them for easy-to-use, the website is simple to navigate and it’s straightforward to make your order. With competitive pricing too, it’s another three-tier pricing model that offers more quantity and variety the more you pay.
3. Aragon AI
Another top choice for creating AI-generated headshots, Aragon AI receives mostly positive reviews on Trust Pilot. While most customers love how well the images resemble them professionally, there are the odd occasion when reviewers say the photos are unusable and unrealistic.
Yet, when they do get it right customers love how natural-looking their images are. There’s also plenty of variety, with a great selection of facial expressions (smiling and not smiling), and a large selection of backgrounds and outfits.
Not only are there professional options with a great variety of careers to choose from, but they also offer students their services and can help with yearbook, Christmas and dating app photos too.
Again, Aragon AI also offers a standard three price points, so there’s something to suit every budget and needs – just like the other options out there.
4. Dreamwave
Dreamwave is another option that has been supplying Fortune 500 executives and professionals, like Portrait Pal AI, with headshots. But for us, what really lets the service down is they don’t disclose their pricing upfront – it’s not until you’ve gone through the faff of uploading your images.
Once you have, they do offer up to a whopping 500 headshots with unlimited human touch-ups. While this sounds great for perfectionists, it can feel a bit overwhelming and takes away from the ease and efficiency of the service.
But, you will end up with a professional, top-quality and accurate shot that can cater to your specific needs if you opt for a studio or professional headshot, whether it’s going on your social media or website.
Stay clear of the creative AI photo generator if it’s for work, they do look overly manufactured and should only be used for a bit of fun. And speaking of fun, there’s a pet portraits option on the site too for turning your beloved animals into a host of characters.
5. PixelPose
If its speed you’re after, PixelPose can produce 20 images in as little as 1.5 hours with their ‘starter’ package that offers five poses, backgrounds, and clothing options. Of course, if that’s not enough there are two larger packages to choose from that give you greater variations and more in quantity.
It’s effortless to upload photos, you can even take them from Facebook or Instagram to simplify the process even more. Then, using their advanced AI tech they will produce undeniably lifelike headshots, in a good selection of natural-looking poses.
The backgrounds look real too, unlike some AI generators that make you look more photoshopped, and actually give you the illusion you’re in that space in real life. Timeless in look, they can be used for every profession whether you work in corporate or something more casual.
6. BetterPic
If you’re looking for headshots for a bigger team or group, BetterPic offers special rates the more users you have. There are no hidden charges, simply slide the bar to tell them how many people need headshots, and they will give you a quote upfront.
It’s another easy upload system, and your 4K resolution pictures will be ready in as little as an hour if you opt for the top-tier package – with unlimited complementary human touch-ups. There are of course options to pay less with longer processing times and no AI edits too.
You’ll be happy with the large selection of backgrounds and styles to choose from, and if you’re not there’s even an option to manually tweak them yourself in the personal AI studio where you can change the background, outfit and colour yourself.
