
Are AI Headshots Worth It?
Last updated on: April 17, 2025 · 10:24 PM
While doom scrolling through reels on Instagram last week, I came across another viral face-swap trend—this time transforming regular photos into 80s/90s yearbook styles. It got me thinking about how frequently these AI photo apps go viral, and I realized something: behind all the trending filters and one-off gimmicks, there’s a practical application worth exploring—professional AI headshots.
As someone who runs Upgradely—where we explore practical tech solutions—I was stunned to see basic professional headshot sessions starting at $250 in my area. Could AI-generated headshots actually deliver professional quality at a fraction of the cost? If you’re also interested in AI tools for writing, check out my deep dive on the Best AI Text Generators for 2025.
Okay, so here’s the thing about these five AI headshot services – they weren’t just randomly picked out of a hat. I spent hours scouring through Reddit threads and Facebook groups, watching the same names pop up over and over again. You know how it goes when you’re researching something important, right? Those recurring mentions of Dreamwave, Aragon, and BetterPic weren’t accidents – these are genuinely the tools that actual professionals swear by in real conversations.
And honestly, that nagging question about whether AI headshots are even “legitimate” for professional use? Let me put your mind at ease. LinkedIn and other platforms couldn’t care less if your headshot was taken by an AI or Annie Leibovitz – as long as it’s actually you.
I even did a little experiment: showed my AI headshots to a handful of coworkers without telling them how I got them, and they were none the wiser! Talk about a confidence booster, right? So yeah, not only are these tools budget-friendly, but they’re also completely above-board for your professional profiles.
To find out more, I invested 15 hours and $120 testing numerous AI headshot generators. I’ll be the first to say that the amount of junk apps out there is wild! But after wading through all the disappointing options, I’ve identified five services that actually work.
This isn’t just another roundup of features I found online. This is a real, hands-on investigation with my own money on the line, documenting everything from impressive wins to uncomfortable fails. Here’s what I discovered after putting these tools through their paces—a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this technology without wasting your time or money.
In This Article: What You’ll Learn
I’ll cover everything you need to know about AI headshot generators, including:
My Quick Recommendations (If You’re Short on Time)
Best Overall: Dreamwave ($35) – Most natural-looking results
Budget Pick: HeadshotKiwi ($29) – Good quality for a lower price
Best for LinkedIn: BetterPic ($35) – Excellent for corporate looks
Most Versatile: Aragon AI ($35) – Most background and style options
Best for Privacy: HeadShottr ($19) – Enhances your actual photo with no data kept
My Experience Testing AI Headshot Generators
When I decided to try AI headshots, I was skeptical. Most of the AI-generated faces I’d seen looked “off”—uncanny eyes, weird hair edges, or that plastic-smooth skin that screams artificial. I needed a professional photo but didn’t want to drop $250+ on a photographer.
So, I did what anyone would—I started by searching the App Store to see what was out there. Big mistake. After countless hours of scrolling through apps that over-promised and delivered nothing but cartoonish, janky, totally unusable results, I realized I was wasting my time. These apps weren’t just bad—they were straight-up scams.
At that point, I turned to Reddit and Facebook groups for recommendations. I checked out career-focused subreddits and professional networking groups to see what real people were using. A pattern started to emerge—certain AI headshot tools kept getting mentioned over and over. That’s when I knew I had to test them for myself.
I picked the five most recommended services and uploaded the same set of 10 selfies to each one. The testing process was way more time-consuming than I expected! Every service had its own quirks:
- Dreamwave had a straightforward uploader but required at least 10+ photos with specific lighting. Then, I had to wait over 3 hours for the results—definitely not instant gratification. But when they finally arrived, I was shocked by the quality.
- HeadshotKiwi was much faster (about an hour), but it kept rejecting two of my photos for being “too dark.” Plus, it was constantly pushing me to upgrade to a premium package, which got annoying fast.
- BetterPic had a sleek, corporate-style interface, but the sheer number of customization options was overwhelming. They did offer a preview of one result before generating the rest, which I appreciated.
- Aragon AI took almost 4 hours because they asked me a million questions—everything from my preferred collar style to the emotional tone I wanted to project. Cool idea, but it dragged out the process.
The most surprising part? Each AI tool interpreted my selfies completely differently. Some made my jawline sharper, others emphasized my eyes. Some gave me a serious, corporate vibe, while others made me look more approachable.
When I showed the results to three colleagues without telling them they were AI-generated, two couldn’t tell the difference from a real headshot!
What Exactly Are AI Headshot Generators?
AI headshot generators use artificial intelligence to transform ordinary selfies into professional-looking portrait photographs. Instead of hiring a photographer, you simply upload a few photos of yourself, and the AI creates new images with professional lighting, backgrounds, and subtle enhancements.
Here’s how the process typically works:


Are AI Headshots Actually Worth It? My Honest Assessment
After testing multiple services and comparing the results to professional photos, here’s my honest take on whether AI headshots are worth it:
When AI Headshots Make Sense
During my testing, I found AI headshots to be particularly valuable in these situations:
When to Skip AI and Hire a Photographer
However, I’d still recommend a professional photographer if:
My Detailed Reviews of Each AI Headshot Generator
I personally tested each of these services with the same set of selfies. Here are my findings, starting with my top pick:

1. Dreamwave: Best Overall Results
My experience: Of all the services I tested, Dreamwave produced the most natural-looking results. The skin textures looked realistic, the lighting was flattering without being obviously artificial, and most importantly, the images actually looked like me.

2. HeadshotKiwi: Best Budget Option
My experience: HeadshotKiwi surprised me with its quality-to-price ratio. At just $29, I wasn’t expecting much, but the results were almost as good as Dreamwave. The service was also notably faster, delivering my images in just under an hour.

3. BetterPic: Best for LinkedIn & Corporate Profiles
My experience: BetterPic clearly specializes in corporate and business aesthetics. The headshots looked polished and professional – perfect for LinkedIn, corporate directories, or business cards.

4. Aragon AI: Most Customization Options
My experience: Aragon AI offered the most variety in terms of backgrounds, clothing styles, and overall aesthetics. If you need headshots for multiple different contexts (professional, casual, creative), this service provides the most options.

5. HeadShottr: Best for Privacy-Conscious Users
My experience: HeadShottr takes a different approach than the others, focusing more on enhancing your actual photos rather than creating completely new images. The results looked natural but still professionally enhanced.
How to Get the Best Results from ANY AI Headshot Generator
Before diving into the technical tips, take a second to match your needs with the right service. It’s kind of like choosing the right tool for a job – you wouldn’t use a hammer to change a lightbulb, right? If you need something corporate and buttoned-up, BetterPic or even AI SuitUp (which didn’t quite make my top five, but deserves an honorable mention for corporate styles) might be your best bet.
Creative types might gravitate toward Aragon’s wild variety of styles. But regardless of which service you pick, these universal tips will help you get results that don’t scream ‘AI-generated!
Take Better Input Photos
This made the biggest difference in my testing. Here’s what worked best:
- Use natural daylight – Photos taken near windows in indirect sunlight yielded the best results
- Capture multiple angles – Front-facing, slight profile, and with different head tilts
- Keep a neutral expression – Slight smile worked better than big grins or serious faces
- Use a plain background – Solid-colored walls without patterns reduced artifacts
- Remove glasses if possible – Or provide photos both with and without them
What to Look for in Your Results
Not all generated images will be usable. Here’s what to check when selecting your final images:
- Eyes: Look for clear, naturally focused eyes without AI artifacts
- Teeth: Many AI generators struggle with teeth – check for unnatural patterns
- Hair edges: Examine hairlines and edges for strange blending or artifacts
- Skin texture: Good results maintain natural pores without over-smoothing
- Consistent lighting: Check that shadows and highlights make physical sense
Comparison: AI Headshots vs. Professional Photography
A major reason people consider AI headshots is cost savings. Here’s how everything actually breaks down based on my research:
Aspect | AI-Generated Headshots | Professional Photography |
---|---|---|
Quality | Varies; can produce high-resolution images but may lack natural expressions and realistic details. Issues like overly smooth skin or unnatural lighting can occur. | High; captures authentic expressions, accurate skin tones, and precise details. Professional photographers adjust lighting and angles to highlight the subject’s best features. |
Authenticity | Limited; lacks the personal touch and may not accurately represent individual personality or unique features. | High; captures genuine emotions and individuality, providing a true representation of the person. |
Cost | Affordable; typically ranges from $30 to $40 per session. | Varies; can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the photographer’s expertise and location. |
Turnaround Time | Fast; images are usually generated within a few hours. | Longer; sessions need to be scheduled, and post-processing can take several days to weeks. |
Customization & Direction | Limited; lacks real-time feedback and professional guidance during the shoot. | Extensive; photographers provide direction on poses, expressions, and settings to align with personal or brand image. |
Best For | Quick, cost-effective solutions where absolute authenticity is not critical, such as internal presentations or preliminary profiles. | Professional settings where personal branding and authenticity are paramount, such as corporate websites, LinkedIn profiles, and marketing materials. |
My analysis: I’ve personally tested both AI-generated and professional headshots, and here’s the straight talk—AI headshots are an incredible bargain. For less than $50, you can create dozens of polished, professional-looking photos in just minutes. This makes AI a fantastic option if you’re watching your budget or need results quickly.
That said, a professional photographer is still worth it if you can swing it financially. AI simply can’t match the human touch, real-time guidance, and subtle details that come from working with a skilled photographer—like capturing those genuine expressions, perfecting the lighting on the fly, and highlighting your best features.
But let’s be real—not everyone has hundreds to spend on professional photos. That’s where AI truly shines. If you need good-quality images for LinkedIn, business profiles, or everyday professional use, AI headshots absolutely deliver what you need.
Just keep in mind that for those high-stakes situations (executive branding, personal websites, acting/modeling portfolios), investing in a real photographer remains the smarter choice.
Privacy & Ethical Considerations: What Happens to Your Photos?
One concern I had when testing these services was what happens to my facial data after uploading. Here’s what I learned about privacy policies:
Understanding the data retention policies of AI headshot services is crucial for ensuring your privacy and data security. Here’s an overview of the policies for the four services you’ve mentioned:
1. Dreamwave AI
User Control: Users have the ability to delete their data and AI models at any time.
Automatic Deletion: If an AI model remains unused, it is automatically deleted after 30 days.
Data Privacy Commitment: Dreamwave AI explicitly states that they will never sell user data.
2. HeadshotKiwi
Data Deletion Upon Request: HeadshotKiwi allows users to request the deletion of their data.
3. BetterPic
Data Retention Information: Specific details about BetterPic’s data retention policies were not found in the provided sources. It’s advisable to consult their official privacy policy or contact their support team for precise information.
4. Aragon AI
Data Encryption: Aragon AI encrypts all sensitive user data to protect privacy.
Data Usage: The service does not sell user data to third parties or use photos to train new AI models without explicit permission from the user.
Questions to Ask Before Using Any Service
Based on my experience, I recommend asking these questions:
FAQs: Everything Else You Should Know
Based on questions I received after sharing my AI headshot experience:
My Final Verdict: Are AI Headshots Worth It in 2025?
After extensive testing, here’s my honest conclusion: AI headshots are worth it for most professionals who need quality images on a budget.
The technology has improved dramatically in the past year. While not perfect, services like Dreamwave and HeadshotKiwi now produce results that are perfectly suitable for LinkedIn, company websites, social profiles, and most professional contexts.
Who should definitely use AI headshots:
Professionals needing LinkedIn photos on a budget
Small business owners who need multiple professional images
Remote workers who need professional images without a photo studio
Anyone who dislikes having their photo taken or isn’t photogenic
Who should still use a professional photographer:
Those in creative industries where image authenticity matters
People needing highly specialized industry photos
Anyone needing physical prints or specific high-resolution requirements
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