The case against AI headshots
While in person headshots can seem like a hassle to plan for and awkward to sit through, at Phoenix Headshot Pro I make the whole process easy and relatively pain free! AI-generated headshots can look pretty or super polished, they definitely lack that “human” depth and warmth that real photos bring.
My top Reasons Real, Professional Headshots are the best …and I’m not just saying that to keep my job!
AI-generated headshots can be misleading, and do you really want to start a professional relationship off by lying to potential clients or employers? While fun for social media with friends- AI headshots look vain and silly in a workplace enviorment or LinkIn, and risk your credibility.
AI-generated headshots lack the authenticity and individuality that a professional photographer can capture. I get it, I’m an over 50 woman in a career where youthful good looks seem to be most important, but sincerely an authentic smile and a face that is not plastic and fake go a long way towards a qualified impression. Even wrinkles give a trustworthy, you got them honestly etc etc etc
AI-generated headshots lack the attention to detail that professional photographers bring to their workProfessional photography headshots offer a personal touch that AI-generated headshots simply cannot match
You know what else irritates me? I love using bulletpoints to make efficient lists..and now all the energy-hog-fake-stolen-AI writing systems use them too! Ugh! I may not be a great writer but at least I did it myself hahah.
Am I just be saying this because I’m bitter old lady shaking her fist in the air at these new fangled contraptions? Would I say anything to keep my job?
Sure I want to keep my job. But I’m not bitter. I just hate how AI has taken the realness and specialness out of everyone’s lives, I hate that we use it to mask what makes us wonderful. We have let propaganda and internet lies confuse and shame us away from what makes us unique. I’d love for AI to do the rote chores and BS that make work challenging and make life better, without stealing the art, wonder, fun hobbies, passions, and healthy body images from us all.
The psychological factor is real—knowing it's AI even if it ‘looks’ real. They look and feels like something is off, even if the image seems perfect. Those AI headshots use your photos to match with bits and pieces of other peoples portraits- images often stolen from other businesses and photographers. Even the AI you pay for uses Frankensteined parts of other peoples photos in. It’s theft plain and simple, with several lawsuits involved.
If you are reading this you care, about your business, your success, and your professional image.
If you are using a headshot to promote yourself in your career, AI photos give off the impression you are vain or lying, or just too lazy for a real headshot.
If what I am saying upsets you or turns you off, I am certainly not the photographer too! I do believe in feeling and looking your best, I do use software and lens and lighten to soften fines lines, I will teak by hand here and there. Most of the software I use says it is AI generated…but it is actually just a pattern based program using elements from the same portrait or my own image database.
And my AI opinions are super unpopular! So there is that!
Honestly, most people will not and do not care if it is fake, lacks a human connection, or made up of stolen parts. It really depends on your character. do you want to make a strong, genuine impression…or don’t you care because “it’s pretty and I look like I am still 25.”
I am sorry this comes off harsh, but do you want folks to perceive you as someone who looks falsely perfect, but seems a bit off? Don’t start off a potential business relationship with a lie. And yes, as I am sure you can tell from my grammar I am not even using Chatgbt or etc to fake type this explanation! It isn’t perfect- but real beats perfect to me.
Trends come and go, and the next swing is headed towards AUTHENTICITY. even in my high school clients I am seeing a rejection of fake images, with kids even asking for little to no acne retouching so that their portraits look ‘real’ to friends. While we dont always want to jump on the latest teenage trend in business- the kids are 100% right.
I can make getting great headshots in Phoenix easy, authentic, and professional- all are great qualities companies and clients are looking for in you!
