How To Take A Professional Headshot By Yourself Using AI

In the world of freelancing, your online presence is not just a calling card; it’s your digital storefront. It’s the first thing potential clients see when they consider working with you. That’s why a professional headshot can be a game-changer. It’s not just a photo; it’s your personal brand encapsulated in pixels. While hiring a professional photographer for a headshot session is a worthy investment, freelancers often need a versatile and budget-friendly approach. In this article, we’ll explore the art of capturing a striking and professional headshot by yourself. So, if you’re a freelancer ready to put your best face forward in the digital marketplace, read on – we’ve got you covered.

How To Take A Professional Headshot By Yourself

Are professional headshots worth it?

Professional headshots are indeed worth the investment, especially if they’re for your business or career. A high-quality headshot can convey professionalism, approachability, and confidence. It can be a valuable tool for building trust with potential clients, employers, or business partners. However, if you’re on a budget or need a quick update for your online profiles, learning how to take a professional headshot yourself can be a cost-effective alternative.

What does a professional headshot look like?

A professional headshot should be well-lit, sharp, and focused on your face. It should present you in your best light, both figuratively and literally. The background should be clean and unobtrusive, drawing attention to your face. The composition should be well-balanced, and the image should be free of distractions. Natural and authentic expressions are key, and it should capture your personality while maintaining a polished appearance.

How to pose for a professional headshot?

When posing for a headshot, stand or sit up straight with good posture. Relax your shoulders and neck to avoid tension. Maintain eye contact with the camera, and experiment with slight angles to find your most flattering position. A subtle tilt of the head can add depth and dimension to your portrait. Practice various poses to discover what feels and looks most natural for you.

Should you smile in a professional headshot?

Whether to smile or not depends on your industry and personal brand. A warm and approachable smile can be excellent for professions that require interpersonal skills or customer service. However, some industries, like law or finance, may prefer a more serious or neutral expression. Choose an expression that aligns with your profession and the image you want to convey.

What to wear for a professional headshot?

Select clothing that reflects your industry and personal style while keeping it professional. Solid colors tend to work best, as busy patterns or logos can be distracting. Choose attire that fits well and makes you feel confident. Don’t forget to pay attention to grooming and makeup if applicable.

What not to wear for professional headshots?

Avoid clothing with bright, flashy colors, as they can dominate the photo and draw attention away from your face. Additionally, steer clear of clothing with large logos, busy patterns, or excessive accessories, as these can be distracting. It’s essential to strike a balance between expressing your personality and maintaining a professional appearance.

Believe it or not, this profile picture of mine was touched up a bit using AI
Dave Ashworth
Dave Ashworth

AI Tools To Help Create The Perfect Headshot

Desktp – aragon.ai

aragon.ai is a service specifically built to generate professional headshots. It allows you to upload selfies which then in turn will create you a professional headshot. The process is as simply as uploading a selfie straight from your desktop or connecting to your social media accounts.

The pricing options are as follows:

  • Starter – $29
    40 high quality headshots. 20+ different styles.
  • Basic – $39
    80 high quality headshots. 40+ different styles.
  • Premium – $69
    200 high quality headshots. 100+ different styles.

You need to upload at least 14 selfies so I did the following eclectic mix:

Selfies


After uploading your selfies you wait around 2 hours for your images to be created.

I got the following back:

aragon ouput

Admittedly, there’s some shockers in there and in some cases the camera has added more than the standard 10 pounds, but, if you’re after something quick and easy you will find something that will do the trick in there – for example:

Aragaon IO Headshots

Click here to visit the aragon.ai website

Mobile – Lensa

Lensa is a mobile app for Android which is more of an avatar maker so the output can range from professional headshot right through to fantastical imagery, so there’s plenty of fun to be had also.

The app itself costs £29.99 per year, though you can get a 7 day trial free of charge.

From there, choose your styles and create images for the following price points:

  • 51 Unique Avatars – £1.99
    17 variations of 3 styles
  • 102 Unique Avatars – £2.99
    34 variations of 3 styles
  • 201 Unique Avatars – £3.99
    67 variations of 3 styles

After uploading your selfies you wait around 20 minutes for your images to be created:

Lensa Ouput

To be honest, they are more styalised, fun and casual but you may find something in there that stands out and can be used on LinkedIn or your website (maybe depending on your niche).

For example, here’s my new Facebook profile picture:

Facebook Profile Image

Others

There are other tools available, though the above are the only two I’ve tried. If you’ve found decent tools that create good shots let us know and will add them to the list below:

In the evolving world of online freelancing, where first impressions can make or break opportunities, harnessing the power of AI-driven headshot tools can be a game-changer. From the convenience and affordability of AI assistance to the flexibility of crafting your personal brand, these tools offer freelancers the means to put their best face forward in the digital marketplace. Whether you choose Aragon.ai, Lensa, or another AI solution, remember that your professional image is an investment in your freelancing journey. So, take the time to capture that perfect headshot, and watch as your online presence opens doors to exciting new opportunities in the freelance world. Happy freelancing and picture-perfect success!

Join In The Conversation In Our Community

Or Leave A Comment Below


Sign up to our newsletter