AI is cheap. Great right? Wait—not so great.
Not if your brand is a higher end, expert, leader in the industry kind of brand. We can all tell when an image is AI and we immediately associate it with cheap, low end, not serious, never professional, Some guy trying to pull off LOOKING like a professional.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s great if you are McDonald’s. Not so great if you are a leader in your industry and you’re seeking respect from the viewing audience.
Realtor at Sotheby’s DON’T GO NEAR IT.
Entrepreneur demanding a large audience. Golly NO!
In marketing people believe what we tell them. Do not tell your audience you’re playing dress up. Make sure they know you are the real deal!
Spoiler alert: you are not a cartoon.
And you shouldn’t look like one either.
Let’s just get this out of the way: AI headshots and photos are having a moment. The apps are flashy. The promises are big. The ads are everywhere.
“Skip the awkward photoshoot!”
“Professional headshots in minutes!”
“Just upload a selfie and boom — you’re business ready.”
Sounds tempting, right?
But here’s the truth no AI ad is telling you: AI headshots aren’t real and they never will be. They are digital facsimiles. They’re algorithms making assumptions about your face, your vibe, your brand, your career — and guess what?
They usually get it wrong.
If you’re a professional trying to show up with confidence, credibility, and authenticity, here’s why you need to think twice before trusting AI with your face.
I figured if I’m going to call out AI headshots, I better put myself on the line too. So I took one of my own shots and ran it through an AI generator to see what would happen.
Here’s a side-by-side look at my real headshot vs. the AI version:
Is it cool, sure… is it fun to play with, absolutely… is it me, not by a long shot!
AI Can’t Capture You
Your headshot isn’t just about your cheekbones or your jawline.
It’s about your energy.
- Are you approachable?
- Confident?
- Calm?
- Bold?
- Quirky?
- Trustworthy?
- Authoritative?
- Inviting?
Facial expressions are micro-moments.
The subtle difference between a 3% smile and a 6% smile can completely shift how your audience perceives you. As a real, live, breathing headshot photographer, I coach my clients to find the expressions that match their brand and goals. That’s not something an algorithm can do.
- AI doesn’t know what industry you’re in.
- AI doesn’t know how you want to show up for your clients.
- AI doesn’t know your personality.
A good photographer does. Because we take the time to learn.
The Uncanny Valley Is Real
Here’s where AI usually starts to fall apart:
Plastic Barbie-skin texture
Over-smooth complexions
Wildly inconsistent lighting
Glassy, too-bright eyes
Teeth that look… off
Hair that floats or melts into the background
Jewelry or clothing glitches
The result? You end up looking like a half-animated version of yourself. Close enough to kind of resemble you, but far enough away that it actually feels uncomfortable.
Real people want to connect with real people.
If your headshot feels fake, it erodes trust.
AI Doesn’t Understand Your Brand
Your headshot is part of your marketing. Whether you’re a real estate agent, therapist, entrepreneur, speaker, or CEO — your headshot speaks volumes about your personal brand before you say a word.
- A generic AI model can’t read your LinkedIn profile.
- It doesn’t know your market positioning.
- It doesn’t know your audience.
- It doesn’t understand your voice.
A great headshot is strategic.
It sends the exact message you want your potential clients, employers, or partners to hear. AI can’t do strategy. People can.
AI Can’t Coach You Through the Fear
You know what most of my clients say when they first walk into my Kelowna headshot studio?
“I hate getting my picture taken.”
And you know what?
I get it.
Standing in front of a camera is intimidating. That’s why my job isn’t just technical — it’s emotional. I coach you through every pose, every angle, every expression. We build trust. We find your best light together.
And more often than not, by the time we’re done, you’ll say:
“That was actually fun.”
- AI can’t calm your nerves.
- AI can’t give you confidence.
- AI can’t tell you your jacket looks amazing.
- AI can’t fix your hair before the shot.
I can.
And I do.
AI Can’t Deliver Professional-Level Editing
Professional headshot editing isn’t about slapping a skin-smoothing filter over your face. It’s about balance:
Natural skin texture
Flattering (but honest) retouching
Correcting minor distractions without erasing your humanity
Thoughtful cropping & color grading
Clean, true-to-brand backgrounds
Subtle adjustments that keep you looking like YOU
Good editing is invisible. You shouldn’t look like a model on a stock photo site. You should look like your best, most polished, most professional self.
The Bottom Line?
AI headshots might promise speed and convenience, but fast and fake isn’t what your business deserves. A true professional headshot isn’t just a pretty picture — it’s a reflection of your personality, your brand, and your expertise. It’s about genuine expression, thoughtful coaching, expert posing, and subtle retouching that helps you look like the best version of yourself — not a weird, plastic version of you. When you work with a real photographer, you get real connection, real confidence, and real results that help you stand out for all the right reasons.
— Nicole
Kelowna’s Headshot Hype Woman.
