Real talk, I never thought I'd be the person writing an article about AI headshot generators. But here we are.
My LinkedIn profile pic was genuinely from 2019—pre-pandemic, pre-my "I've seen things" eyes. Whenever I opened LinkedIn, that photo mocked me.
Here's the thing: I hate getting professional photos taken. I don't know what it is about standing in front of a camera that makes me look like a deer in headlights. Also, professional photography isn't cheap. Think $200-500 for a decent session, and that's on the lower end.
That's when AI headshot generators became my new obsession.
My First Attempt
So picture this: I started with the free options because not made of money. First up was some random free AI headshot generator I stumbled upon on Google's page 2 (yes, I was desperate).
Fed it about 10 selfies—some from when I looked human, some from questionable angles. Clicked the button. Twiddled my thumbs.
What I got looked like an AI had really misunderstood the assignment. The AI gave me a forehead that could land aircraft. NGL, I looked like a Sims character.
What I discovered: You get what you pay for.
Leveling Up
Not one to give up, I began investigating services that actually cost money. This is where things got interesting.
ProfilePicture.ai
Let's talk about ProfilePicture.ai. Cost me about $29 for what they call the "starter pack". You give them 15-20 photos, chill out during what felt like forever, and voila—you get over a hundred headshots.
What I got? Surprisingly good. The AI managed to maintain my actual features, just more polished. It smoothed out my skin, the lighting was professional, and best part—I actually appeared competent.
We're talking about: business casual perfection. No more "I took this in my bedroom."
Nice range. Casual Friday vibes—they gave me options.
Aragon AI
Moving on to Aragon AI, which ran me about $39. Similar process: upload photos, play the waiting game, receive your professionally generated headshots.
What stood out: Aragon excelled at capturing more personality. If ProfilePicture.ai was "corporate professional," Aragon gave me "the cool colleague."
This one had this feature with eye contact. All the images had like I was making a connection. The difference where the eyes have it? Exactly, that.
When I Went All In
Riding the high of decent headshots, I splurged on some high-end options.
Secta.ai
Here's where it gets interesting specifically positions itself as for business professionals. About $49 for the entry level.
What made Secta stand out? Secta nailed the LinkedIn aesthetic. That thing where everyone on LinkedIn looks like they belong in a business magazine? That's what Secta does.
Better backgrounds. Instead of plain colors, I got contemporary professional settings. Artistic workspace backgrounds—the visual language of "I know what I'm doing."
HeadshotPro
Then there's HeadshotPro which runs similar pricing. Plot twist.
They allows customization of specific styles. Need to appear a creative professional? They've got presets.
Tried various looks, and real talk, this turned into a whole thing. First I'm C-suite material, then I'm startup founder energy.
Output quality remained high across all the styles. Everything looked professional where switching aesthetics meant risking inconsistent results.
Breaking Down the Difference
Time for real talk: you're usually getting experimental. Perfect when testing the concept. But if you actually need? Spend the money.
Here's what you're paying for:
Higher quality AI models: The premium options work with advanced algorithms that comprehends what makes a good headshot.
Actual options: No-cost options offer no control. Paid services allow selection of overall aesthetic.
Better image quality: The free versions typically aren't full quality. Premium options deliver professional resolution good enough for any professional use.
Variety: When you pay produce 50-200 headshots. The free stuff? Limited selection if you're lucky.
Data security: Don't overlook this. Some free services could be using your images to improve their models. Premium platforms usually offer better data protection.
Real-World Results
So I updated my LinkedIn photo. Selected ProfilePicture.ai that showed me as professional but approachable.
Seven days later:
Views on my profile jumped significantly
Received multiple recruiter messages
One colleague literally messaged me "New headshot? Looking sharp!"
Apparently, people do notice. Your LinkedIn photo is often the initial thing people see someone gets of you.
When the Algorithm Gets Creative
Some entertaining moments. AI headshot generators have their moments.
Every now and then the AI would generate accessories I never wore. In one shot I somehow had a pocket square I definitely don't possess.
If hands are visible—when they show up—can get weird I'm counting more than 5 fingers. Word to the wise: go for headshot-only options.
The backdrop situation—sometimes you'd get architecturally impossible windows. Zoom in and you could notice abstract art that hurts to look at.
What I'd Actually Suggest
Having invested around $150 and weeks of experimentation:
For budget-conscious professionals: ProfilePicture.ai for under thirty bucks. Best value, reliable results.
For LinkedIn specifically: Secta.ai knows what works on LinkedIn. The premium is justified.
When you need versatility: HeadshotPro lets you play around.
Quick and easy solution: Aragon AI won't let you down.
The "But What About Real Photographers?" Question
Look, I know some people feel using AI versus actual photography professionals. My perspective: AI headshots are a option, not meant to replace real photographers.
For situations requiring elaborate complex photo sessions, get an actual professional. But for basic business headshot that you'll change periodically? AI makes sense.
It's democratizing professional imagery. Some folks don't have $300 for a photo session. AI generators put quality photos accessible to a wider audience.
Bottom Line
Having tried everything, I'm still using an AI-generated headshot. Results speak for themselves. Inbox is busier. My imposter syndrome about using an another detailed post AI photo? Dead and buried.
Right now, your digital presence is crucial. Your LinkedIn photo is the first thing people see. Whether it's created by an algorithm or a photographer is less important than presenting yourself well.
Would I do it again? 100%. Would I recommend it? It depends—for anyone delaying refreshing their profile picture because it's expensive, AI headshot generators are absolutely worth trying.
Just maybe skip the no-cost versions. Learn from my mistakes.
Certain things are better learned through others' experiences.
Anyway, I need to update my other social media profiles. This journey isn't over.