Are AI headshots worth it?

I recently read an article in Business Insider where to some extent, the author was advocating for AI headshots. Obviously as a photographer who provides professional headshots, the article peaked my interest and perhaps a smidgeon of fear swept over me, especially with the title claiming some of the headshots were great. You can read the article here and judge for yourself.

Looking at the examples in the article, I was relieved as they don’t come close in quality to what most professional photographers can produce, but it’d be unwise not to question what the current capabilities of AI in relation to photography are, and what are the future risks to the career I know and love?

Part of me feels AI is an assault on the whole creative industry and beyond, which should be banned. However, the other part feels that too many decisions have been made because of the fear of the unknown, or what’s misunderstood, so, perhaps it should be embraced and integrated wherever possible. Not that I understand enough to do that much at this time.

Essentially, headshot photography is portrait photography, which requires an artistic individual to create. With the advent of camera phones and now artificial intelligence, candid photography has taken on a new dimension as almost anyone can create social media worthy images that were once only possible with a bulky camera. For higher end portrait photography though, whilst phone cameras and AI have their own set of capabilities, there are limitations.

Starting with the capabilities that I know of, AI-powered phone cameras, along with most modern digital cameras can now detect faces and recognize different facial features. This means that the camera can automatically adjust settings like focus and exposure to ensure that the portrait is properly exposed and in focus. This isn’t something that’s particularly new, but it is getting better and helps with the speed and efficiency of capturing the shot.

AI-powered editing software, on the other hand, is advancing quickly and can enhance photos to improve the overall quality. This includes smoothing out skin blemishes, removing unwanted objects or distractions from the background, and adjusting the brightness and contrast levels to create a more flattering look. Some AI editing software can even generate synthetic facial features or adjust the facial expression, which might achieve a more desirable look, or make you look like a mannequin.

There are caveats though. One is that AI lacks the creativity and intuition of a skilled photographer. AI-powered editing software can only work with the information it has been programmed to recognize and cannot make artistic decisions based on subjective preferences or emotions.

Another big limitation is that AI cannot replicate the emotional connection between a photographer and their subject. Skilled and experienced photographers can build rapport with their subjects which makes them feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. This in turn can lead to more natural and expressive portrait photos, which AI cannot achieve. At least not yet. Ever though? Who knows?

Just as AI software can make images better, as it relies heavily on data and algorithms it can also make them worse by producing results that are too artificial looking and lacking the natural imperfections that give portraits their character and personality.

So going back to the original title question, are AI headshots worth it? The answer is no. It might sound like a bias opinion coming from a portrait photographer, but if the answer was yes, I’d accept defeat and throw in the towel. They are not a big step up on what can be achieved on a mobile photo, which in most cases, for professional use is not good enough if you truly want to project the best version of yourself. AI headshots still look cheep and amateurish, so whilst professional headshots are more expensive, don’t let yourself slip into the buy cheap, buy twice trap.

No doubt AI will continue to get better, but for the time being at least, a phone camera and algorithm is a poor substitute to a professional lighting setup, high-end lens and camera in terms of quality. Perhaps the bigger question though is, will AI ever be able to fully replicate the creativity, intuition, and emotional connection that a living, breathing, biological, bundle of laughs photographer brings to their work.

Thanks for reading, and if you enjoyed this article, give it a like. The algorithm will appreciate it. 😁