I’ll be straight with you: I spend a lot of time on my phone, scrolling through feeds just like you do. And lately, I keep noticing something – more and more people are using AI-generated headshots for their professional profiles. LinkedIn, business websites, email signatures. It’s everywhere. And while I want to be clear that this doesn’t have me worried about photography as a profession (it’s not going anywhere), I do think it’s worth having an honest conversation about why using an AI photo is not a great idea, especially if you own, run, or represent a small business.

The Ad That Made Me Think About This

There’s one particular ad that keeps showing up in my feed. It’s for dog training – correcting unwanted behaviors, something along those lines. Every single time I see it, the content is clearly AI-generated. Videos, images, all of it. And every single time, I hit “x” or “hide.”

Not because the product is necessarily bad. But because I can’t trust it.

If this company can’t show me real dogs having real success with real people using their program, why would I believe any of it works? It all comes down to trust. And the same principle applies directly to your professional headshot.

An AI portrait is a likeness of you. It is not you. There’s a real difference between the two, and the people you’re trying to connect with can often sense it, even if they can’t quite put their finger on why.

Why People Are Tempted by AI Headshots

Some of the clients who have come to me for headshots have mentioned being tempted to try an AI option first. When I ask why, the answer is usually the same: they like the idea of looking like the best version of themselves.

And honestly? I get it. That desire makes complete sense.

Here’s the thing though – that’s exactly what I do with my retouching. My biggest goal with any client is to have you look like the best version of yourself. Not an invented version. Not a filtered-beyond-recognition version. Just you, at your best, looking confident and real.

The difference is that it needs to actually be you.

People want to see who you are. Not who an algorithm imagines you might be.

What a Real Headshot Does That AI Simply Can’t

When someone lands on your profile or your website, they are making a judgment call in seconds. They’re deciding whether they trust you, whether they connect with you, whether they want to work with you.

Here’s what a real, professionally taken headshot communicates that AI can’t replicate:

• Authenticity. Real photos show real people. That matters, especially for small business owners where the relationship with the person behind the business is part of the product.
• Trust. When your headshot actually looks like you, the moment someone meets you in person (or on a video call), there’s no gap. No moment of “wait, is this the same person?”
• Personality. AI tends to produce a polished, somewhat generic result. A skilled photographer draws out who you actually are – your warmth, your confidence, your approachability.
• Professionalism with heart. A thoughtfully retouched, professionally shot headshot signals that you take your brand seriously, without sacrificing the human element that makes people want to work with you.

This Is About More Than Just a Photo

If you’re a small business owner, you are your brand. The face people see when they look you up is the first impression of everything you stand for, everything you offer, and the experience they can expect when they work with you.

Putting an AI version of yourself forward – even a convincing one – starts that relationship with a small dishonesty. And people feel that, even when they can’t explain why.

You deserve to be seen as you actually are. Confident. Real. Worth trusting.

And with the right photographer and thoughtful retouching, your real headshot will absolutely look like the best version of you. That’s not just a nice idea – it’s the whole point.

Ready for a Headshot That Actually Looks Like You?

If you’ve been putting off getting a real headshot because you’re worried about how you’ll look, I want you to know that concern is exactly what I’m here for. I work with clients who feel uncertain in front of the camera all the time, and guiding you through that is part of what I do. We can use the fabulous backdrop of San Diego, or I have a handful of studios around town that we can make use of for a studio look.

My sessions are designed to be comfortable, collaborative, and worth every bit of the investment. And yes – I will retouch your images so you feel confident in them. But I’ll also make sure you still look like yourself, because that’s the version of you the world needs to see.

If you’re in the San Diego area and you’re ready to show up as the real, best version of yourself – I’d love to work with you. Reach out here and let’s get started.