AI Headshots Or Pro Photos For LinkedIn in 2025?

EXEED Team
Nov 10
5 min read

Updated: Nov 11

You’re not alone. A lot of us put off updating our LinkedIn photo because it feels expensive, awkward, or time-consuming. Seeing someone snag a clean, professional-looking headshot from an AI app in 30 seconds makes the whole “book a photographer” route feel… optional. So let’s unpack it: When is an AI headshot good enough, what should you watch out for, and how do you make sure your photo actually helps your profile (and your brand) do better?

Here’s a practical, no-hype breakdown you can use today.

First, what does a “good” LinkedIn headshot actually do?

It’s not just about looking sharp. A strong LinkedIn headshot should:

Make you recognizable. If someone meets you on Zoom or at a conference, your photo should match you today.
Feel credible for your industry. The tone of a product manager, a nonprofit leader, and a creative director aren’t the same.
Communicate approachability. Warm expression and open posture matter more than flawless skin.
Be technically clear. Crisp resolution, balanced lighting, and distraction-free background.

If an AI-generated headshot (or an AI-enhanced photo) checks those boxes, it’s doing its job.

AI headshot apps: pros, cons, and how to decide

Pros:

Fast and affordable. Great for students, career switchers, or teams that need something “good enough” right now.
Consistent styles. Helpful if you want a uniform look across a team page or proposal deck.
Retouching without the awkwardness. Subtle fixes for lighting, blemishes, or backgrounds are a tap away.

Cons:

Authenticity risks. Over-smoothing, altered facial proportions, or “plastic” skin can cross the line from polished to uncanny.
Bias and representation. Some models still lighten skin, thin noses, or alter hair textures. Always review output critically.
Limited nuance. A skilled photographer draws out personality and context; AI mostly guesses.
Ownership and privacy. Some apps store uploads, train on your face, or limit commercial use.

Quick test: Is your AI headshot trustworthy and on-brand?

Ask yourself:

Would someone recognize me from this photo in a video call tomorrow?
Do my facial proportions look natural? Are my eyes symmetrical, ears realistic, and teeth not eerily uniform?
Is the background clean and believable? No warped objects, weird shadows, or soft halos around hair?
Does my skin look like skin? Texture is okay; plastic is not.
Is the expression “human”? A slight smile generally works across industries.
Does this image respect my identity? Natural hair, skin tone, facial hair, hijab/turban/patka, nothing should be “corrected.”

Best practices if you’re using an AI headshot app

Start with a good source photo. Use a recent, well-lit selfie or portrait. Face the window, raise the camera slightly above eye level, and avoid heavy shadows.
Choose realistic settings. Stick to simple backgrounds (light grey, soft gradient, or office neutral). Classic attire, minimal filters.
Avoid aggressive retouching. Light smoothing and color correction are fine; anything more can make you look unlike yourself.
Generate a few options. Test different crops and lighting. Sometimes a 3/4 crop with a bit of shoulder line looks more natural than a close crop.
Check accessibility. Ensure sufficient contrast so your face is clear for people with low vision.
Export correctly. Aim for 800-1200 px square, 72-150 dpi, under LinkedIn’s size limits. Save as high-quality JPEG or PNG.

AI Tools to Generate Headshots

Check the blog HERE for more.

When a professional photographer is still the better choice

Executive roles or press visibility. If your image will appear in media, investor decks, or keynotes, hire a pro.
Distinctive brand positioning. Creative fields, public speaking, and consulting often benefit from an intentional, art-directed look.
Team shoots and consistency. A photographer can give your whole team a cohesive look in one session.
Control and IP. You own the files, get proper lighting, and avoid app licensing issues.

Hybrid approach: the middle ground that works

Many people are doing this now:

Take a self-portrait with a friend or tripod by a bright window.
Upload to an AI tool only for background cleanup, color correction, or mild touch-ups.
Keep your real expression and proportions. Authenticity + polish.

Styling tips that translate across AI or IRL

Outfit: solid colors, no loud patterns. Mid-tones (navy, charcoal, forest green, deep burgundy) photograph well. If you wear a headscarf, keep it simple against a neutral background to reduce color clash.
Grooming: aim for “normal good day.” Keep makeup natural; glasses are fine (avoid heavy glare).
Background: soft neutral. Avoid fake bokeh that looks like a green-screen unless it’s subtle.
Pose: turn your body 15-30 degrees from the camera, shoulders relaxed, chin slightly forward, slight smile.
Expression: think “I’m listening” more than “I’m selling.” Warm beats intense.

How your headshot affects LinkedIn profile performance?

From a LinkedIn optimization standpoint:

Profiles with clear headshots get more views and connection requests. It’s a trust signal.
Headshots paired with a strong headline (“Role | Specialty | Outcome”) boost search clicks.
Consistency across platforms (LinkedIn, email signature, portfolio) reinforces your personal brand and helps people remember you.

Checklist: before you upload

Does it look like you today?
Is the image crisp on mobile?
Are there artifacts around hair or glasses?
Is your expression warm but professional?
Do you feel comfortable seeing this photo on a webinar, badge, or company page?

Privacy and ethics: read this before you upload

Data usage: check if the app stores your images, uses them to train models, or shares metadata.
Deletion rights: can you delete your data and generated images easily?
Licensing: confirm you’re allowed to use the image commercially (most LinkedIn use is commercial).
Representation: if the app “corrects” your identity: skin tone, hair texture, cultural or religious wear, discard that output and choose another tool or setting.

If you want to test multiple AI headshot options

Generate 5-10 variations with subtle differences (background tone, crop, attire).
Share privately with a few colleagues or friends from different backgrounds. Ask: Which looks most like me? Which feels most approachable? Which looks most credible for my role?
Don’t crowdsource on public threads; you want feedback from people who know you and from people who don’t.

What to do if your AI result looks “off”

Reduce smoothing and sharpen slightly.
Switch to a softer, more realistic background color.
Re-upload a better source photo with natural light.
Avoid styles that add fake suits or jewelry; wear your own or keep it simple.
If features are distorted, abandon that output, don’t try to salvage it.

A note for teams and hiring managers

If you’re rolling this out across a team:

Create a simple style guide (background color, crop ratio, attire suggestions).
Offer both AI and photographer options for inclusivity and comfort.
Provide consent and privacy details. Let people opt out.
Test final images for bias and realism across different skin tones and hair textures.

So, should you use an AI app for your LinkedIn headshot?

If you need something fast, affordable, clean, and you’re willing to sanity-check the realism, yes, it can be a smart move to use AI Headshots for LinkedIn. If your role is highly public or brand-critical, budget for a professional shoot and think of it as part of your career toolkit. Plenty of folks use a solid AI image now and schedule a photographer later. For more tips check the video below: