AI Headshots for Professionals: Are They Worth It in 2025?

Last Updated: May 29, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: May 29, 2025.

There are a lot of things that you need to do if you want to stand out in the workforce these days. Unfortunately, it is becoming harder to find and keep jobs since the economy has started to stagnate. The unemployment rate has increased to 4.3%, which is a sign that workers need to do what they can to continue to make a good impression on their existing and future employers. 

One of the ways that many professionals are trying to stand out is by using AI headshot software. One of the leading AI headshot services claims that it has created 12 million headshots since opening its virtual doors.

But are AI headshots worth using? Keep reading to learn more.

What Are AI Headshots?

The term is self-explanatory. AI headshots are headshot photos that have been developed with artificial intelligence technology.

There are several major websites that generate AI headshots. In order to use these services, users need to upload selfie photos of themselves with their faces clearly visible. Most of the sites require you to have at least 10 photos, so that they can get a clear likeness of your face. The website uses advanced machine learning algorithms to understand your facial features and generate new photos. They can have better brightness and close-ups of your face than the photos that you took yourself. They can also be customized to show you wearing different clothes or having different body language.

AI Headshots Are Helping Workers Stand Out More than Ever

There are a number of huge benefits of using AI headshot services. Portrait Pal is one of the sites that has helped many people create amazing headshots. Some of the reasons that more people are using them are listed below.

They Help You Make a Better Impression on Recruiters and Employers

If you are looking for work, then you will be able to make a much better impression with potential employers. One survey found that 76.5% of recruiters state that they prefer working with job seekers that are using AI headshots over those that had their photos taken by professional photographers. It stands to reason that most employers would feel similarly.

They Can Be Tweaked to Be More Appropriate to Your Industry

It is important for any working professional or job seeker to use AI headshots that reflect the brand of their desired employer. This obviously means that the best AI headshot for some careers is not going to be ideal for others. For example, if you are looking for a job as an in-home caretaker or substance abuse counselor, then you might want to use photos with a warm smile and open body language. If you are looking for a job as a corporate attorney, then you might need to have a more serious facial expression and more formal body language.

This is a huge benefit of using AI headshot software. These services allow you to customize your body language and choose the attire that best reflects your current or future job.

They Spare People with Anxieties from Having to Deal with a Photographer

Some people don’t like spending more time with people than they have to. The idea of inviting a photographer into their home or going to a studio can be very intimidating. This is especially true since the profession has been known to attract some creeps, which means a lot of women are uncomfortable working with photographers. AI headshot services help them avoid these issues. 

They Create More Consistent Photos

You are a lot more likely to know what you are going to get when you are using AI headshot software. They tend to have more consistent outputs than photos taken by photographers, which can help people who want to know what they are going to get. 

They Are Far More Affordable than Hiring Professional Photographers

Inflation has become a huge concern for many people all over the world this year. Photographers have had to increase their fees accordingly. The average photographer will probably charge at least $250 for a set of headshot photos. This is obviously a lot of money that many people don’t want to pay.

This is possibly the single biggest benefit of using AI headshot services. Many of these services provide at least a dozen photos for as little as $35. This is a far more affordable option for people that are on tight budgets and want to save money during a stagnant economy.

AI Headshots Offer Many Benefits and Are Becoming More Popular with Many Professionals

There are a ton of great advantages of using AI headshot services to create headshot photos. Therefore, they are becoming a lot more popular these days, especially as people are looking to save money in a trying economy.