AI Headshots vs. Real Photos: Which Is Better for Your Resume or LinkedIn?

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This is a fast-paced digital world where your photograph may be the first impression. Folks no longer live in a world where first impressions occur in real life, although they can from time to time. Most employers require a resume or LinkedIn profile to be sent over before you meet for any interview process. 

This is where portraitpal.ai comes into play. This program is an AI headshot tool, and they are not the only option. Look below for a variety of options available for use today. As more developers learn AI technology, some may see more enhancements, options, and programs available to use for an AI edited photograph soon, as well. 

Now that AI headshots are more accessible to update your real photographs, it begs the question of whether you should use a real photo or an AI headshot on your resume or LinkedIn profile. 

Would you opt to use AI headshots or real photos in your resume? 

When asking this question, there doesn’t appear to be a one-size-fits-all answer. The key was to be aware of the end goal and what feels most authentic for your goals. To better help you understand this technology, reviews for this article will discuss what AI headshots are. 

What are AI headshots? 

This is a piece of technology that uses artificial intelligence to edit a real photograph. This technology may be relatively easy to use, and could cost less than some professional photographers. Not only that, but people may be able to use an AI headshot generator at home. 

There is a relatively small learning curve to using AI headshots. If you know how to use a computer or a smartphone and how to click a button, you can probably use this program to enhance your real photographs into something potentially more professional. 

Note: Features and performance may vary by app and user. 

The top three choices for AI headshots according to reviewers for this article include Portrait Pal, Argon AI, and Dreamwave. Each of these programs features its own enhancement and customization options. The key is to know what your end goal is, how many edits you need for your real photograph, and what personality you are trying to portray. 

Most people enjoy these programs for their ease of use and relative cost-effectiveness. Some job seekers may be on a tight budget, so they might need to have an easy-to-use, affordable option to edit their selfies into something more presentable for their resume and LinkedIn profile. Some users worry that they could edit their photographs to look fake, but when given the chance, these AI programs may have helped them enhance their real photos, rather than manipulate them into something that appears less realistic. 

What kinds of minor enhancements – like adjusting lighting or background – would you feel comfortable making with an AI headshot generator?

When using an AI headshot generator, you must do your research because they all have pros and cons involved in the use of this technology.  Obviously, the benefit of using this technology for your resume or LinkedIn profile image includes being able to edit your photographs at home, without going to a professional studio. 

The ability to have a potentially low-priced professional-style photograph for your profile without the costs associated with professional photographers. Many of the programs may feature options that most professional photo studios have to offer, such as lighting alterations, background changes, and some may even offer outfit changes to help your photograph appeal to the professional image you wish to portray. 

The downside of using AI headshots is that some people feel these images may not be realistic. While the photographs seem enhanced, sometimes the AI technology removes the warmth of someone’s human nature from the photograph during the editing process. While the photos still look professional, they may lack the human element most wish to have in their resume photographs. 

Another concern that may be expressed among professionals is whether or not an AI headshot photograph can be considered authentic. This question could arise even when professional photographers are used, who may sometimes overedit photographs. Whether AI headshot generators are causing this question is a bit of a gray area, as it was always there when people used any editing software to transform their photographs online. 

What do you think: do you think that AI headshots are less authentic than a photograph edited using Photoshop? 

What about using real photographs? 

There may be some industries that prefer a less-than-professional-looking real photograph of you over the heavily edited AI photographs. Little human quirks like posture alignment, sparkles in your eyes from the light, and dimples or other imperfections shown within your real photograph may be more appealing for some employers who may value authenticity.  The choice really falls on you to figure out which option makes the most sense for you. Just remember that not all AI headshot generators work the same. 

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The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission at no additional cost to you if you opt to purchase the product recommended. This goes towards supporting the advertiser's research team who are committed to only recommending high-quality products. Amber Smith is an award-winning ghostwriter who focuses on AI and health technology.