Are AI Headshots Professional Looking and Worth It?

Since the beginning of humanity, professional portraits have played a crucial role in crafting authentic first impressions, fostering trust with everyone from potential clients to future employers.

Fast forward to 2025 and AI headshots are everywhere. 

The benefits are certainly enticing!

“Look better – for cheaper – and get your results instantly,” is the promise.

But are they actually worth using in a professional setting for things like your LinkedIn profile photo, email signatures, and company websites?

At Headshots.com, we’ve helped over 3,000 brands and more than 100,000 people get studio-quality headshots without leaving their house or office, and without a photographer! 

Headshots.com customer Salas O’Brien in action – see their case study here

From executives to new grads, we’ve learned a lot about how to craft a headshot that connects with people in an authentic way. 

So let me share a quick story of one particular customer that I think demonstrates the role of AI headshots …

Ron’s AI Headshot Story

Ron is a presales influencer on LinkedIn (check him out here).

He needed a photo for the back cover of his book, A Friendly Human in Presales. His book is about learning how to authentically connect with your audience, showcasing your unique value, and effortlessly building trust – with the ultimate goal of closing more sales.

Ron decided to get an AI headshot for the book cover because it was cheap and fast. And he was initially happy with the results.

But then, his wife noticed something was off. 

“Your book is about being an authentic sales engineer… You can’t put a fake photo of yourself on the cover,” she pointed out.

Her words resonated. As Ron thought more about it, he realized that the AI headshot wasn’t really him. It was a polished version that didn’t fully represent the approachable and genuine person he aimed to be, both in his career and through his book. That’s when he reached out to us looking for a headshot that captured his authentic self.

Our Take: Why AI Headshots Are a Bad Fit in Professional Settings

 

1. Trust and Authenticity Are Priceless

In business, trust is non-negotiable, and authenticity is one of the most effective ways to build it. When people see your photo, they should get a real sense of who you are. 

AI-generated images often prioritize aesthetics over authenticity. While they may make you look younger or sharper, they risk presenting an idealized version that can feel disconnected from the real you. 

This might not just make you look different – it can make you seem less genuine, which is a big drawback in professional settings.

2. Authenticity Builds Lasting Connections

Every interaction in a professional context is an opportunity to form a lasting impression. If the picture in your profile or email signature is highly edited or AI-generated, it can leave people questioning what you’re really like. 

This disconnect can even impact relationships before they’ve begun, especially in fields where trust and relatability are essential — like healthcare, consulting, law or real estate. 

When people meet you in person or on video calls, they may feel a jarring difference, leading to confusion or even mistrust.

The disconnect may suggest self-consciousness, leading others to perceive a lack of self-belief and confidence – critical flaws in the industries mentioned above.

3. Uncanny Valley*: AI Images Often Miss the Subtleties of Expression

A genuine smile or a subtle, confident expression speaks volumes in a headshot. AI, however, often struggles with capturing these nuances. 

While it might generate an image with a smile, that smile can appear hollow or overly stylized. 

This can make your headshot appear unsettling, triggering the uncanny valley effect – a negative emotional response to something that looks human but lacks essential human nuances.

An authentic headshot captures warmth, approachability, and subtle cues that make a difference in how you’re perceived. 

The best headshots show not just how you look, but who you are.

 

We even asked ChatGPT about AI headshots and it gave us a warning. Here’s what it said:

Why We Believe Real is Better

Four years ago, we started Headshots.com with a simple vision in mind: studio-quality, on-brand professional headshots using a single cell phone photo.

Our team hand-edits every photo, aiming to bring out the best in each person’s natural appearance — we believe that your imperfections are what make you human and authentic – not to create a version that doesn’t quite exist. 

AI headshots might be tempting with their promise of instant results or gimmicks, but when it comes to establishing a genuine, lasting impression, there’s simply no substitute for authenticity. 

So if you’re serious about representing yourself in the best light, consider choosing a professional headshot that captures the real you — because that’s what your clients, colleagues, and network really want to see.

To get an authentic headshot from the comfort of your own home, get started here. If you want to learn more about how we do this for teams, click here.

Want to learn more about the uncanny valley?

Here are a few articles that share the psychology of AI-generated humans and their impact on our perception:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-uncanny-valley-4846247
https://www.simplypsychology.org/uncanny-valley.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/uncanny-valley