Why you really don't want that AI headshot | Phoenix Headshot Pro Anjeanette Photography

It’s tempting, just send in a few of your favorite bathroom selfies and be done with the awkwardness and venerability of in-person headshot sessions with a photographer. It’s cheap! It’s easy! Send them old selfies and look 20 years younger! The only problem is nothing that is cheap, easy, and promises eternal youth ever really pans out like we want.

Ask yourself, is that what you want clients to be looking for when they need the services you provide? Cheap, easy, and unrealistic?

The growing trend of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create headshot portraits is often touted as being more convenient and affordable than traditional headshot portraits taken by professional photographers. However, there are a number of reasons why you may not want to use AI for your headshot portraits.

1. AI-generated portraits lack realism.

One of the biggest drawbacks of AI-generated portraits is that they often lack realism. Sure it will get better. For now, AI algorithms are trained on a limited dataset of images, they may not be able to capture the nuances of human facial features. As a result, AI-generated portraits can look unnatural or even "uncanny valley" in some cases. AI-generated headshots can be disappointing—either looking nothing like someone’s real face, or suffering from warped elements like crossed eyes, stretched and pinhed lips, or hands. Don’t get me started on the hands!

2. AI-generated portraits lack personality.

Another problem with AI-generated portraits is that they often lack personality. This is because AI algorithms are not able to capture the individual's unique expressions or quirks. As a result, AI-generated portraits can look extremely boring, generic, and lifeless. Maybe that is what you want…but AI portraits are easy to pass by and dismissed by our brains which know something is ‘off’. You definitely do not want someone skimming over your LinkedIn profile or website to think “something is off” or worse simply dismiss you in favor of a competitor’s headshot that stands out. In a sea of faces, a great headshot can help you stand out and be remembered.

 
 
“Do I feel good about these images? Not really. The thing that unnerved me the most about these photos, warped teeth and cross eyes aside, was the fact that AI had completely edited my features, creating a version of me that I guess you could say was conforming to some sort of weird societal beauty standard.”
— VICTORIA CHANDLER


3. AI-generated portraits lack personalized attention.

When you work with a professional photographer, you get personalized attention that is tailored to your individual needs. The photographer will take the time to understand your goals for your headshot portraits and will work with you to create a portrait that accurately reflects your personality and style. In contrast, AI-generated portraits are mass-produced and do not offer the same level of personalization.

And I get it, it’s overwhelming. It is hard to feel confident when stepping in front of a camera. We see all the flaws nobody else sees because while you may absolutely rock your business as a kick-ass boss we don’t always have that objectivity when seeing ourselves, especially for an up-close portrait. The thing is…sometimes, a lot of time, we are just WRONG about how we look. My personalized sessions include several tips from posing to expression to experienced high-end editing that help you look confident, intelligent, and accomplished. Because you ARE.

4. AI-generated portraits are not always affordable.

While some AI-generated portrait services offer free trials, the cost of these services can quickly add up as you struggle to try different variations that you like or look better. In addition, the cost of AI-generated portraits may not be covered by your professional association or able to be used on taxes, as is often the case with traditional headshot portraits taken by a professional photographer.

5. AI-generated portraits are not always secure.

When you work with a professional photographer, your headshot portraits are stored on the photographer's secure server. In contrast, AI-generated portraits may be stored on third-party servers that may not be as secure. This means that there is a greater risk of your headshot portraits being hacked or stolen.

6. AI-generated portraits are not always ethical.

This one is personal to me. It hurts. Trying to put fears and feelings aside, it harms an industry of real people - photographers and their families now and in the future taking away from possible income by stealing from photographers’ past work. Some AI-generated portrait services use facial recognition technology to create their portraits, usually images stolen from databases and other photographers’ portfolios. It’s basically taking bits from other work around the internet and mashing it together with the photos you sent in. This raises ethical concerns about the potential for this technology to be used for surveillance or other harmful purposes.

Why do you need headshots in the first place? I’m guessing to help you attract new clients, and connect with potential clients and colleagues …so that you build trust and credibility and get the job or the promotion or sale. How do you do that authentically with a faked headshot?

There are a number of reasons why you may not want to use AI for your headshot portraits. If you are looking for a portrait that is realistic, personalized, affordable, secure, and ethical, then you should consider working with a professional photographer like myself.

Phoenix headshot photographer Anjeanette Photography specializes in dynamic & modern portraits that enhance professional branding. She offers a variety of packages and uses her 15 years of experience to develop a strong brand image in a competitive world. Entrepreneurs enhancing business profiles, office teams looking for professional consistency, or individuals aiming to make a lasting impression hire Anjeanette to create a modern, visually compelling headshot that stands out. 

Whether it's for a corporate website, LinkedIn profile, or personal branding, Anjeanette Photography is the go-to studio for capturing headshots that make a powerful statement and leave a lasting impression.

Phoenix Professional Headshots & Easy Branding Portrait Sessions 

BY PHOENIX, PEORIA, GLENDALE AZ PHOTOGRAPHER 

Anjeanette Photography

http://www.phoenixheadshotpro.com

TEXT (615) 944-1356 

IG @phoenixheadshotpro

  On-Location or In Studio • Peoria, Glendale, and Phoenix Arizona area  

What kinds of headshots does Anjeanette Photography offer?

At Anjeanette Photography, I offer three styles of professional portraits, each style is it’s own 20 min session. Usually, two styles can fit into a 30 min session. All include high-end skin retouch, and a gallery is delivered with 10+ images for your use. Which style expresses your business, and best connect you with your ideal clients?

The Modern Professional Headshot

Stylish business portraits on hi key white, grey, or black. Clean and sleek images that focus on you. These are delivered with traditional landscape horizontal cropping and the currently trending Modern Crop. Also perfect for Linkedin, Twitter, or anywhere your headshot will get you noticed online!

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Personal Branding Environmental Business Portraits

Environmental headshots are a fantastic way to break out of the box and tell the story of your business in a real way. Instantly connect with prospective clients when they see you doing what you do, or in the place where you make the magic happen for them. A headshot isn’t just a picture of your face. It is a business card showing what values matter most to you, why your company is different, and why folks should choose your work!

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The Casual Outdoor portrait

The outdoor headshot is sweet and simple- but this is no phone picture in the backyard. Professional lighting to enhance and soften skin put you in your best light with real beautiful bokeh, with included high end retouching before delivery.

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Kym Allison Artist & Art Therapist | The Art Studio at Eagle Ranch

I visited Kym Allison’s Art Studio at Eagle Ranch a little while ago on one of those rare rainy Arizona afternoons with overcast skies and deeply saturated colours. Surrounded by greenery and a peaceful prayer flags under her large trees gently waving to send blessings across the desert. The mood was perfectly set in Kym’s open-air studio for her environmental personal branding portraits!

phoenix-senior- picture-photographer-anthem-arizona-high-school-anjeanette-photography-best-pictures-near-arizona_0657.jpg
“I use a client-centered approach that nurtures self discovery & personal growth. This therapy is suited to individuals moving through life transition periods such as divorce, aging, teens, career changes, brain injury, life style changes, emerging self awareness and addiction recovery. I use traditional talk therapy or a combination of talk therapy and art psychotherapy. Using art works around verbal defense mechanisms and intellectualizing that can stall the therapeutic process. The combination of talk and art therapy works well for clients that have not had good progress in traditional talk therapy or feel that they relapse into old thinking or patterns.
If the client chooses to work with visual communication, I use directed art activities designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of present life circumstances, promote deep healing and encourage greater client self awareness and self actualization. I work with the client to find solutions, encourage personal growth and improve life quality.
I also work with children and teens in attachment assessments in response to divorce and blended families. Art psychotherapy provides a safe way to communicate feelings, thoughts, and experiences thought too taboo or frightening. Clients can also express feelings they do not know how to put into words.”
— Kym Allison Art Therapist, MA, ATR-BC
The serenity corner at Kym’s studio. Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the goodwill and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.

The serenity corner at Kym’s studio. Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the goodwill and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.