Listen, I never thought I'd be the person writing an article about AI headshot generators. Yet here I am.
My LinkedIn profile pic was literally from 2019—pre-pandemic, pre-my "I've seen things" eyes. Every time I opened LinkedIn, that photo reminded me of better times.
The problem: I hate getting professional photos taken. There's something about standing in front of a camera that makes me look like a deer in headlights. Plus, professional photography isn't cheap. We're talking $200-500 for a decent session, and that's on the lower end.
So AI headshot generators became my new obsession.
The "This Better Work" Phase
So picture this: I started with the free options because cheap (I said what I said). 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 my "golden hour" moments, some from less flattering situations. Hit generate. Sat there waiting.
What I got looked like someone had put my face through a blender. The AI gave me someone else's jawline. Not gonna lie, I looked like a corporate stock photo model from an alternate dimension.
Lesson learned: The free cheese is in the mousetrap.
The Mid-Tier Experiment
Not one to give up, I decided to services that actually cost money. Enter the big players.
ProfilePicture.ai
First up ProfilePicture.ai. Set me back about $29 for a package. You give them 15-20 photos, chill out during what felt like forever, and voila—you get like 100+ headshots.
The results? Surprisingly good. This one managed to maintain my actual features, just slightly upgraded. My skin looked clearer, lighting was on point, and most importantly—I actually appeared competent.
Picture this: business casual perfection. No more "I took this in my car."
Good variety. Suit and tie—plenty to choose from.
Aragon AI
Then I tried Aragon AI, which was slightly pricier $39. You know the routine: upload photos, play the waiting game, receive your new digital identity.
Here's what I noticed: Aragon excelled at capturing more personality. Where ProfilePicture.ai gave me "corporate professional," Aragon provided "the cool colleague."
Aragon pulled off something cool with how I looked at the camera. Every photo felt like I was actually engaging. You know that thing where you can tell someone's really there? Bingo, that.
The Premium Experience
Feeling confident, I decided to try some top-tier generators.
Secta.ai
This one specifically calls itself the LinkedIn headshot specialist. About $49 for their basic package.
What separated this from the others? They got the LinkedIn aesthetic. That thing where people looks like they belong in a business magazine? That's what Secta does.
The backgrounds were more sophisticated. Rather than basic backgrounds, I got contemporary professional settings. Soft-focus bookshelves—all the things that scream "I'm definitely not winging it."
HeadshotPro
Finally, I tried HeadshotPro another mid-range option. Here's where things got interesting.
They lets you choose specific styles. Want to look like a tech guru? There are style options.
I experimented with different styles, and real talk, this turned into a whole thing. One minute I'm corporate overlord, then I'm casual Friday personified.
Output quality remained high across every variation. No weird variations where changing styles sometimes gave you hit-or-miss outcomes.
What You Actually Get
Let's be real: free generators are typically experimental. They're great for not serious about results. But if you actually need? Invest in paid services.
What that $30-50 buys you:
Better training data: Paid services use more sophisticated AI that gets business aesthetics.
More customization: No-cost options give you what they give you. Paid services let you choose the whole vibe.
Higher resolution: The free versions typically come in lower resolution. Premium options provide professional resolution suitable for any professional use.
Multiple options: When you pay create dozens or hundreds of options. Free ones? Limited selection on a good day.
Privacy: Important point. Many no-cost platforms might use your photos to train their AI. The paid options generally provide actual privacy guarantees.
Real-World Results
So I updated my LinkedIn photo. Used one from ProfilePicture.ai that made me look professional but approachable.
Within a week:
Views on my profile jumped significantly
Had several connection requests from recruiters
One colleague literally messaged me "New headshot? Looking sharp!"
Apparently, first impressions are real. Your profile image is frequently the first impression someone gets of you.
The Weird AI Quirks
Not everything was perfect. These platforms have their moments.
Every now and then the AI would decide I needed glasses I don't own. This one time I magically acquired a pocket square I definitely don't possess.
If hands are visible—if they appear in the shot—can get weird someone grafted extras on. Word to the wise: go for traditional headshots.
Backgrounds too—every once in a while you'd get architecturally impossible windows. Look closely and you could notice books with gibberish titles.
The Bottom Line
After spending more than I'd like to admit and weeks of experimentation:
If you're watching your wallet: ProfilePicture.ai at $29. Great bang for your buck, dependable output.
For LinkedIn specifically: Secta.ai gets the LinkedIn aesthetic. The premium is justified.
If you want options: HeadshotPro offers maximum flexibility.
No-fuss option: Aragon AI delivers consistently.
The Ethics of AI Headshots
Real talk, I get it opinions vary on using AI versus real photographers. Here's my take: these are a solution, not a replacement professional photography.
When you require high-end commercial photography, get an actual professional. However, for basic business headshot that you'll update every year or two? This technology works.
It's democratizing access to quality headshots. Many people can't justify $300 for a photo session. These tools make professional-looking headshots available to more people.
What I Learned
Six months later, I'm still using an digitally created photo. Results speak for themselves. Recruiters are messaging. My imposter syndrome about using an AI photo? Dead and buried.
In 2025, your professional brand is everything. Your headshot is your digital handshake. Whether it's created by an algorithm or a photographer takes a backseat to looking professional.
If I had to start over? Without hesitation. Should you try it? Depends on your needs—for anyone delaying refreshing their profile picture because you don't want to schedule a photoshoot, this technology is a game-changer.
Perhaps don't go source: readme.io with the platforms that charge nothing. Learn from my mistakes.
Some lessons are better learned through others' experiences.
Time to go, I should probably refresh my Twitter headshot. Down the AI rabbit hole I go.