Reviewing AI Headshot Generators: My Experience and Best Picks
Reviewing AI Headshot Generators: My Experience and Best Picks
A common question I get when working on websites is: “How many professional photos do you need to design my site?”
For a five or six-page website, I usually recommend 5-8 professionally taken photos in different settings, with at least one outfit change. But sometimes, clients don’t have enough photos or time for a new shoot. That’s where AI headshots come in handy, especially for those DIY-ing their first website.
Recently, one of my clients provided me with AI-generated headshots when she didn’t have enough professional photos. Surprisingly, the results were great! Her site still felt relatable and authentic, and the AI photos helped bridge the gap. But are AI headshots a real replacement for pro shots? Let’s explore.
What Are AI Headshots?
AI headshots are computer-generated images of faces, made by uploading a few selfies to a website. The site uses machine learning to generate photos that look professional. These platforms are pretty affordable, costing around $10-$30 for 50-120 photos.
In my experience, however, only 10% of the photos will look enough like you to be worth using. But even at that rate, it’s a good value for people who need quick, presentable photos.
How to Get the Best Results
Before diving into the headshot generators, here are a few tips to improve your outcomes:
- Upload 10-20 clear photos where you’re looking directly at the camera.
- Shoulders up – keep your hands out of the frame, and make sure no one else is in the shot.
- Mix in at least a few professional photos (even cropped family photos) along with your selfies. This improves the AI’s ability to produce higher-quality results.
My Reviews of AI Headshot Generators
1. HeadshotPro
Cost: $29 for 40 photos
Geared toward teams, HeadshotPro allows users to upload 15 photos and choose specific backgrounds and outfits for the AI to generate. This was handy for creating cohesive team photos.
Though uploading photos was tedious (some were rejected), the validation process ensured better results. Most of my photos nailed the look, hairstyle, and glasses, which I really appreciated.
BEST PHOTOS WITH HEADSHOT PRO
WORST PHOTOS WITH HEADSHOT PRO
2. AI Suitup
Cost: $20 for 100 photos
AI Suitup is more for individual professionals who want headshots for resumes or LinkedIn profiles. While they did a good job with the hair and glasses, the images felt more studio-like and artificial. A few of the photos had weird issues like shadows of glasses without the glasses being present.
BEST PHOTOS WITH AI Suitsup
WORST PHOTOS WITH AI Suitsup
3. Try It On AI
Cost: $17 for 100 photos
This was the platform my client used. After uploading 15 photos, I received my results in 24 hours. Though I got some decent shots, they weren’t quite on-brand for me. The photos made me look glammed up with longer hair or no glasses— not what I was going for. There were also some weird glitches, like one photo showing 15 fingers!
BEST PHOTOS WITH Try It On AI
WORST PHOTOS WITH Try It On AI
4. Studioshot AI
Cost: $30 for 80 photos
Studioshot AI impressed me the most. Not only can you customize the photography style (lighting, backgrounds), but they also have photo editors who tweak the AI results for better quality. This made a noticeable difference, and the unlimited revisions were a huge plus. These photos felt closest to real professional shots.
BEST PHOTOS WITH Studioshot AI
WORST PHOTOS WITH Studioshot AI
Final Thoughts on AI Headshots
AI headshots can be a great stop-gap solution, especially when you’re just getting started and need a few photos for a minimum viable website. But keep in mind, they’re no substitute for real professional photos when it comes to building trust with your audience.
If you’re considering using AI headshots, make sure they match your real look—hairstyle, makeup, and glasses, especially if those are a part of your signature style. And remember, these photos are best for secondary areas of your site. Save your prime spots for professional photos if you can.
AI headshots can help you get your website up quickly, but eventually, you’ll want to invest in a proper photoshoot!
