AI Headshots or Genuine Photograph

We are being bombarded lately with copious amounts of AI generated headshots, product, corporate, landscape photography etc.

The internet and social media is flooded with it. Everywhere you look people are turning into cartoons or smooth, airbrushed, dreamy creations.

Observing this phenomenon, I had to ask myself: “what does an AI generated professional profile (or worse cartoon rendition) say about a person?”

AI image created using HeadshotMaster.

Does it say that you are authentic, trustworthy, hardworking, professional and/or credible?

Would a prospective client view your headshot as the “real you”? Or could it be construed that you like to take short cuts, or blur and disguise the truth?

The same can be asked about your product photography and brand photography. Are you trying to cut costs or perhaps disguise a substandard product?

Clients want to connect with “real people” making use of functioning workspaces/offices/ practices. Clients want to make a human connection.

This is the real, authentic me. Yes I do not look like a model, but I am unapologetically me and I am comfortable in my own skin.

In a society full of false media, advertising, deceptive schemes and trickery – you should be genuine. That is how you will stand out.

A real headshot shows you are confident and back yourself. You are authentic and allowing your brand to speak out.

You trust in your brand and you are willing to invest capital into developing your brand with authentic headshots, product photography and other corporate imagery.

Photographers rely on personal touch to perfect client’s images. We focus on the client’s personality and needs as well as the industry they are employed in.

Coupled with our expertise in lighting, posing, facial expressions and camera skills, we provide our clients with images that reflect who they really are, their business and all the fine details.

“Real people, real places, real moments” – Karl Taylor (Pro Photographer)

The world is changing and we must adapt to new technology, but real moments and authenticity still stands.

AI image created using InstaHeadshots.com.

In order to conduct proper research and deliver an unbiased opinion, I did create an AI image of myself.

I compared the AI me with original me and I will admit that AI did not do a bad recreation. This level of AI creation is however not free and it is not a 100% accurate.

I spotted some small issues that I could fix in Photoshop. I can see that this kind of image could work in a crunch.

Do I approve of it? No, I still feel that this is just machines regurgitating unoriginal ideas.

I had to, after all, feed the application an original image of myself. It is a fantasy in a lot of cases with no human story behind it. No emotional connection.

Furthermore AI is plagiarising art & creativity. AI is consuming loads of energy. Data centres house AI servers, creating toxic electronic waste.

Yes, of course photographers make use of AI applications incorporated into programmes like Photoshop and Lightroom to assist with workflow and editing.

In these circumstances AI is used as a secondary resource and used sparingly.

Bottom line: photography is still about using your talent and skill to transform an idea into your art. AI is copying ideas, talent and skill.

Give me a shout if you think it is time to update your Business Portraits/Headshots.

You can read more about our headshot photography/business portrait photography here.

Pease consider following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Looking forward to meeting you.