Best AI LinkedIn Photo Generators

In this article, we’ll let you know about the best AI headshot generators, when to use them, and how to get the most out of them.

It’s possible to pinpoint what makes a LinkedIn profile picture stand out in four pillars:

• Framing: Your face should take up about 60% of the frame while ensuring it’s completely visible when cropped into LinkedIn’s headshot dimensions (circular thumbnail). A clear and well-framed headshot ensures it draws attention directly to your face.
• Lighting: Proper lighting eliminates harsh shadows that make your face less appealing. Ensuring your face is well lit in your LinkedIn photos is the best way to make you look more professional and, therefore, more approachable.
• Background: Choosing the right background can make a big difference in how your headshot comes across. Make sure to choose an uncluttered and simple background that makes your face pop.
• Expression: Your facial expression should portray confidence and friendliness – a slight smile can help. Eye-tracking studies and investigations have shown that warm and inviting LinkedIn headshots are more likely to be engaged with. Additionally, recruiters spend nearly 20% of their time focusing on candidates’ headshots, highlighting the importance of appearing professional and friendly.

The best way to know whether to use an AI LinkedIn headshot generator or hire a photographer is to understand their differences. These include affordability, quality, and setup effort.

AI headshot generators are lifesavers mainly because of their low cost and convenience. They allow users to generate LinkedIn headshots in less than an hour from just a handful of selfies and customize them afterwards with generative AI.

On the other hand, hiring a real photographer is usually the best option if you’re looking for more creativity and want to bring to light your own or the photographer’s artistic ideas.

The number of AI headshot generators out there has been growing, making it difficult to choose one. Make sure to investigate each option to ensure you’re not surprised by the end result.

Most AI headshot generators work with credit-based one-time purchases. Package differences usually include the number of headshots and turnaround time.

AI headshot generators offer different style packs. We recommend choosing a background that matches your role to generate LinkedIn headshots. For example, doctors should choose a medical background. Additionally, you must select your clothing and color.

The next step is selecting a handful of selfies for the generator to have something to work with. On average, AI headshot generators require users to provide up to ten photos. For the best results, you should choose high-resolution selfies with good lighting that clearly show your face in different settings.

When you’re happy with the chosen photos, upload them to the AI headshot generator. This process is usually pretty quick, and some services even provide an automatic AI tool that detects any photos unsuitable for generating headshots.

Wait for the headshots to be delivered, then go over them and choose up to five favorites. For the best results, choose those that best represent you, considering facial expression, posture, and professionalism.

If your AI headshot generator allows for customization, see if there are any adjustments you’d like to make to make the photo even better. This includes cropping, brightness, and contrast.

Finally, select your favorite headshot and set it as your LinkedIn profile picture. Ensure it looks professional and matches LinkedIn’s profile photo size, with all of your face showing. To understand if it’s the best option, check how the headshot appears in your profile and ask for feedback from colleagues and friends.

While it’s essential to choose the right headshot, there are a few common pitfalls to be aware of. This is fundamental for making your LinkedIn headshot the best it can be.

• Inconsistent eye direction: Headshots where you’re not looking directly into the camera create a disconnection with the viewer. To avoid that, ensure you’re facing and looking into the camera to encourage interaction.
• Over-retouching: The search for perfection can sometimes work against us. Overly retouched headshots can easily become unnatural. Avoid this by focusing on minor and subtle enhancements.
• Wrong background: Choosing a background that doesn’t align with your brand and role can distract recruiters. Opt for a neutral background that aligns with what you’re looking for and your aesthetic.
• Violating LinkedIn’s profile picture guidelines: Headshots with heavy filtering or logos are against LinkedIn’s ToS. To ensure complete compliance with LinkedIn, stick to using clean and professional headshots.

A professional and polished headshot can make a big difference when looking for jobs. Considering the quality, cost, and convenience offered by AI headshot generators, hiring a photographer might not be the way to go. Unless you’re looking for creative and artistic portrait photos, AI headshot generators are one of the best ways to upgrade your LinkedIn profile.

These services deliver nearly authentic headshots with minimum effort and money. We recommend testing different services and comparing how well each headshot performs to see which works best for you.