It’s the latest job search hack: simply upload a couple of selfies, hit a button, and allow artificial intelligence to generate a polished headshot. Job hunters are progressively utilizing online artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create headshots for their resumes. For numerous individuals, this is far more convenient than scheduling an expensive photo shoot and waiting for the edited images.

While a photographer might demand hundreds of dollars for a photoshoot and digital prints, online AI tools such as the one recently introduced by Canva are available at a much lower cost. However, this practice raises concerns regarding authenticity.

In an era where the job market is competitive, individuals are turning to AI to conserve both time and money on resumes, cover letters, and even interview preparation. The 2025 Market Trend Report from the recruitment agency Career Group Opportunities reveals that 65% of job seekers utilize AI in their application process. This encompasses 19% for resumes, 20% for cover letters, 9% for headshots, 7% for interview practice, and 5% each for work samples and career advice.

The images created by AI are attractive to young professionals seeking to enhance their online presence, as the use of AI-generated headshots is increasing on sites like LinkedIn. However, there are worries about appearing overly edited or artificial. Career experts are divided regarding the possible advantages and disadvantages, and LinkedIn cautions users that its policies grant the platform the authority to remove photos.

A photographer’s prospective

According to Zach Dalin, a St. Louis-based photographer and videographer who has worked in the industry since 2013, the biggest gap between AI and human photography is emotion.

“Part of what we do is taking the picture, obviously,” he explained, “but the other part is eliciting a certain emotion, a certain facial expression, a certain body language. These are things that AI tools simply won’t be able to do. You’re getting about 80% of the way there — a professional photographer can get you that extra 20%.”

That emotional depth can really set apart a photo that seems vibrant from one that appears artificial. Although AI-generated headshots might assist someone in getting an interview, Zach points out that the genuine connection that animates photos still needs a human element.

Zach isn’t against AI at all. Actually, he uses it every day. In photo-editing tools like Adobe Photoshop, generative AI helps him tweak colors and refine details in just seconds. He also relies on “AI culling,” a program that sifts through thousands of wedding photos to quickly find the top picks.

“There are a lot of AI tools in the photography space, and they’re only getting better,” says Zach. “As a professional, I can either fight it or embrace it. I choose to embrace it and provide a better experience for my customers.” 

A lot about AI is the price

In today’s world, where first impressions are predominantly formed through screens, having a clear and attractive photo is just as crucial as possessing a solid resume. In a highly competitive job market, a quality headshot can significantly impact your chances. However, the cost of professional photography has historically posed a financial challenge for numerous job seekers, with the average price for a professional headshot often reaching into the hundreds of dollars.

Danny Wu, Canva’s head of AI products, said the goal wasn’t to replace real photography, but to make high quality imagery attainable to everyone no matter the budget or location.

A recent report from Canva on the job market reveals that 88% of job seekers think that having a refined digital presence affects hiring choices, marking a 45% increase from the previous year. This trend aligns with the overall rise in the use of AI in the application and hiring processes, as 90% of hiring managers report utilizing AI to assist in hiring, while 96% of job seekers who employed AI during their application process indicated they received callbacks.

Risks to authenticity and key questions facing HR recruiters

Anyone with a smartphone can obtain a LinkedIn-ready headshot, yet the swift adoption of this technology has raised new concerns regarding ethics and trust. Numerous candidates worry about appearing artificial or misleading, while recruiters are vigilant for AI-generated images that appear excessively polished or stylized, emphasizing that authenticity is of utmost importance.

“It is perceived as risky to use an AI headshot,” said Sam DeMase, ZipRecruiter career expert. “While recruiters accept them, a bad AI-generated headshot will put off most recruiters,” DeMase said. “A poorly done AI-generated headshot is easily recognized, reads as inauthentic, and can hurt the candidate’s chances of being selected.”

Another survey found that headshot use among job seekers is the highest within the Gen Z and millennial generations. Nonetheless, recruiters are finding it challenging to determine if a headshot is created by AI, and the technology is continuously improving.

The tension between tech innovation and accessibility on the one hand, and authenticity on the other, will remain. And as candidates increasingly utilize AI for their job applications, hiring companies are adopting similar technologies. According to the World Economic Forum, 88% of employers employ AI for candidate screening. Major corporations like Google and Goldman Sachs, which received over 315,000 internship applications in 2024, now depend on AI to identify top candidates during the initial evaluation process.

This is why numerous HR professionals emphasize the significance of tailoring resumes for applicant tracking systems, which are tools that decide if a candidate reaches a human recruiter. However, not all applications of AI yield positive results. According to the 2025 AI and the Applicant Report from Resume Now, 62% of hiring managers are inclined to dismiss AI-generated resumes that seem impersonal or devoid of a human element.

Are AI headshots a good or bad thing?

While some photographers are exploring AI to streamline editing or enhance creativity, others are cautious and unsure how far technology might go in reshaping their field. However, as job seekers can now create the illusion of having access to professional studio lighting, cameras, and editing teams, this trend is expected to continue.

---

Sources:
https://san.com/cc/as-ai-headshots-surge-photographers-fight-to-keep-authenticity-in-focus/
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/18/jobs-search-ai-resume-cv-headshots.html