If you’re a life coach or any professional, having a great headshot on your website is essential. It’s often the first impression you make on potential clients, acting like a digital handshake that represents your brand.
Hiring a professional photographer is the best way to get high-quality headshots, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. If you don’t have the budget or the time to wait for professional photos, AI headshot generators can be a great alternative.
What is an AI Headshot Generator?
An AI headshot generator is an online tool that uses artificial intelligence to create professional-quality portraits based on photos you upload. These tools analyze facial features, lighting, and expressions to generate high-resolution, polished headshots. They’re especially useful for:
- New business owners who need professional images quickly
- Professionals who want to update their headshots often
- Anyone on a budget who still wants a high-quality look
- Entrepreneurs who need multiple headshot variations for branding
Not all AI headshot generators deliver the same quality. Some create incredibly realistic images, while others don’t. To help you find the best one, I tested several options and picked the four best based on different needs.
The 4 Best AI Headshot Generators
Here are my top recommendations:
- Best for Teams: HeadshotPro
- Best for Realism: Aragon.ai
- Best for Fun: Try It On AI
- Best Free Option: Canva
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Best for Teams: HeadshotPro
Pros:
- Ideal for businesses needing uniform professional headshots
- Lets you choose specific backgrounds and outfits
- Produces high-quality, accurate results
- Ensures branding consistency for teams
Cons:
- The photo validation process can be time-consuming
- Primarily designed for teams, not individuals
- Takes about 3 hours to generate results
HeadshotPro is perfect for businesses that want a professional, cohesive look for their team’s headshots. Instead of hiring a photographer for the entire staff, employees can upload their own photos, while a team leader manages the payment.
For $29, you get 40 AI-generated headshots. You can choose the background and outfit style, which is useful for maintaining a consistent brand image. However, the photo validation process can be frustrating as the system might reject some images, requiring replacements. Despite this, the final results look polished and professional, making it a great option for teams.
Best for Realism: Aragon.ai
Pros:
- Very realistic headshots
- Fast processing (about 60 minutes)
- Produces high-resolution, professional-looking images
Cons:
- Uploading photos can be glitchy
- More expensive than some other options
If you’re looking for AI-generated headshots that look like they were taken by a real photographer, Aragon.ai is a fantastic choice. It delivers natural-looking results with high detail, good lighting, and professional quality.
The service works quickly, generating headshots in about an hour. However, the photo upload process can be a bit buggy—you may need to refresh the page or try again to complete the upload. Despite this minor issue, the realistic results make Aragon.ai worth considering for professionals who need a polished, high-quality headshot.
Best for Fun: Try It On AI
Pros:
- Affordable ($21 for 100-200 images)
- Quick turnaround (90 minutes)
- Offers creative and artistic variations
Cons:
- No refunds
- Results aren’t always professional-looking
- No “Download All” button
Try It On AI has gained popularity on social media for its creative AI-generated headshots. At $21, you get a large variety of images (100-200) within 90 minutes.
However, while some images looked decent, most of them felt more like stylized glamor shots rather than professional headshots. This tool is great for fun and artistic variations, but it’s not the best choice for business professionals who need serious, polished images.
One frustrating part? There’s no “Download All” button, so you have to save each image one by one.
Best Free Option: Canva
Pros:
- Free version available (2 credits per day)
- Easy to use
- Quick processing (about 1 minute)
Cons:
- Only allows one seed image
- Image quality is poor
- Limited customization options
Canva’s AI headshot generator is a recent addition to its design tools. While it’s free (you get two credits per day), the results aren’t great. You can only upload one image, which limits how well the AI can create an accurate headshot.
The process is fast, but the images often look cartoonish or unnatural. It’s fun to try, but if you need a truly professional-looking headshot, Canva’s AI generator might not be the best choice.
How to Get the Best AI Headshots
If you’re using an AI headshot generator, follow these tips to get the best results:
- Upload High-Quality Seed Photos – Clear, well-lit images where you’re facing the camera produce the best results.
- Include a Mix of Photos – Use both professional shots and casual selfies so the AI understands your features better.
- Avoid Obstructions – No hats, sunglasses, or hands covering your face.
- Pick the Right Tool – If you need a polished, professional look, go for Aragon.ai or HeadshotPro. If you want something quick and fun, Try It On AI or Canva might work.
- Review the Final Images – AI can sometimes alter facial features slightly, so pick the most natural-looking images.
The Reality of AI Headshots
AI headshots can be a great temporary solution, but they’re not perfect. Here’s why:
- They can feel impersonal – If you overuse AI-generated images, your website might lack authenticity.
- They might not look exactly like you – AI sometimes tweaks facial features slightly.
- A professional photoshoot is still the best option – While AI headshots are convenient, nothing beats a high-quality professional photo for credibility.
That said, if you’re just starting out and need quick, professional-looking images, AI headshots are a great way to get going.
Final Thoughts
If you need a new headshot but don’t have the time or budget for a professional photographer, AI headshot generators are a fantastic alternative. Choose the right one based on your needs:
- For professional teams: HeadshotPro
- For ultra-realistic results: Aragon.ai
- For fun and creativity: Try It On AI
- For a free option: Canva (but don’t expect much)
Eventually, investing in a real photoshoot will be the best move. But until then, AI-generated headshots can help you look polished and professional online without breaking the bank.