AI Headshots vs Professional Photographer: Real Results Compared

I spent $400 on a professional photographer and $19 on AI headshots to answer one question: Is there really a difference that matters for your career?

After comparing the results, showing them to recruiters, and using both on my LinkedIn profile, here's my honest verdict—and when each option actually makes sense.

The Experiment: Same Person, Two Approaches

To make this comparison fair, I did both within the same week:

• Professional photographer: 45-minute session at a studio in San Francisco, $400 including 5 retouched final images, delivered in 10 days
• AI headshots: Uploaded 6 casual photos to Headshot, received 40 professional images in 2 hours, cost $19

Same haircut, same week, same goal: a professional headshot for LinkedIn and my company website.

Cost Comparison

Factor	AI Headshots	Professional Photographer
Base price	$19	$200-500
Photos received	40	3-10 (retouched)
Cost per photo	$0.48	$40-100
Additional retouching	Included	$25-75 per image
Travel costs	$0	Varies
Time off work	0 hours	2-4 hours

The math is stark: AI headshots cost roughly 95% less than a professional photographer. For a single LinkedIn photo, that's $380 saved.

Time Comparison

Here's how the timeline actually played out:

AI Headshots: 2 Hours Total

1. Selected 6 photos from my phone (5 minutes)
2. Uploaded and chose styles (5 minutes)
3. Waited for processing (2 hours)
4. Downloaded favorites (5 minutes)

Professional Photographer: 12 Days Total

1. Researched and contacted photographers (2 hours)
2. Scheduled appointment—earliest availability was 8 days out
3. Traveled to studio (45 minutes each way)
4. Session including setup (1 hour)
5. Waited for editing (10 days)
6. Requested minor revisions (3 more days)

If you need a headshot this week—for a job application, a conference, or an updated LinkedIn profile—AI is the only realistic option.

Quality Comparison: The Honest Truth

This is where it gets interesting. The photographer's images had a certain polish—perfect lighting, subtle skin retouching, that "magazine quality" look.

But here's what surprised me: when I showed both sets to 10 colleagues without saying which was which, 6 couldn't tell the difference. The other 4 correctly identified the photographer's images but said both looked "professional enough for LinkedIn."

Where the Photographer Won

• Subtle lighting that sculpted facial features
• Perfect catch lights in the eyes
• Professional-grade skin retouching
• Ability to direct poses in real-time

Where AI Surprised Me

• Variety—40 images meant more options to choose from
• Consistency across different "styles"
• Natural-looking results (not over-processed)
• Accurate representation of my actual appearance

The LinkedIn Test

I ran an informal experiment: I used the photographer's headshot for 2 weeks, then switched to the AI headshot for 2 weeks, tracking profile views and connection request acceptance rates.

The result? No meaningful difference. Both photos performed within the normal variation range. Recruiters accepted my connection requests at roughly the same rate with either photo.

This matches what most hiring managers will tell you: they care that you have a professional photo, not whether it cost $19 or $400.

When to Choose AI Headshots

AI headshots make sense for the vast majority of professionals:

• LinkedIn profiles—where the photo displays at 400x400 pixels maximum
• Company directories—standardized headshots for team pages
• Email signatures—small display size makes differences invisible
• Conference badges—printed small, viewed briefly
• Slack/Teams profiles—tiny circular crops
• Quick turnaround needs—when you need a photo this week
• Budget constraints—when $400 isn't in the budget

If your headshot will primarily live on screens at small sizes, AI delivers professional results at a fraction of the cost.

When to Choose a Professional Photographer

Traditional photography still makes sense in specific situations:

• C-suite executives—where the photo may appear in press releases, annual reports, or large format prints
• Actors and models—who need specific expressions, poses, and theatrical lighting
• Public speakers—whose photos appear on conference websites and promotional materials at large sizes
• Authors—book jacket photos benefit from artistic direction
• Real estate agents—who use photos on bus benches and billboards (though many now use AI successfully)
• Personal branding shoots—when you need a full library of varied images

The common thread: situations where the photo will be viewed at large sizes, in print, or where artistic direction is essential.

What About "Looking AI-Generated"?

This was my biggest concern going in. Would people be able to tell my headshot was AI-generated?

In practice: no. The top AI headshot generators in 2025 produce results that are effectively indistinguishable from photography to the average viewer. The technology has improved dramatically.

The key is choosing a reputable generator. Cheap or free tools often produce that "uncanny valley" look—slightly off proportions, weird backgrounds, or plastic-looking skin. Quality generators like Headshot avoid these issues.

For a detailed comparison of options, see our guide to the best AI headshot generators in 2025.

My Recommendation

After this experiment, here's my honest take:

For 90% of professionals, AI headshots are the right choice. You get professional results, massive time savings, and keep $380 in your pocket. The quality difference, while real, doesn't matter at LinkedIn-sized display.

For executives, public figures, and those needing large-format images, a photographer is worth the investment. The artistic direction, perfect lighting, and print-ready quality justify the cost when the stakes are higher.

Most people reading this fall into the first category. Your LinkedIn photo doesn't need to be a work of art—it needs to look professional, approachable, and like you. AI delivers that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will recruiters know my headshot is AI-generated?

With quality generators, no. The top AI tools produce results indistinguishable from professional photography. Recruiters care that you look professional, not how the photo was created. I've used AI headshots for job applications with no issues.

Is it dishonest to use an AI headshot?

No more than using a photographer who retouches your skin or adjusts lighting. The goal is an accurate, professional representation of your appearance. As long as the AI headshot looks like you, it serves the same purpose as traditional photography.

What if I need the same photo in different sizes?

AI generators typically output high-resolution images (often 1024x1024 or higher) that can be used across platforms. For most digital uses, this is sufficient. For billboard-sized prints, a photographer's higher resolution files may be necessary.

Can I use AI headshots for my company's website?

Yes. Many companies now use AI headshots for employee directories and team pages. It's actually easier to maintain visual consistency across a team with AI than coordinating everyone's schedules for a photographer.

How often should I update my headshot?

Every 2-3 years, or when your appearance changes significantly. At $19 for AI headshots, you can afford to update more frequently than you would with a $400 photographer session. See our LinkedIn profile photo guide for more details.

The Bottom Line

The gap between AI headshots and professional photography has narrowed dramatically. For digital use at typical display sizes, the difference is negligible to most viewers.

Save your money for things that matter more to your career. A great headshot helps you make a strong first impression—but whether it cost $19 or $400 doesn't change that impression.