Can You Trust AI with Your Professional Headshot? I Tried Forge Headshots to Find Out.
Honest review of this cool new AI headshot generator tool I tried.
A few months ago, I faced a problem.
I needed a new headshot. I could no longer crop my headshot from a group picture, and I needed something polished and professional for my LinkedIn profile.
But scheduling a photoshoot, picking outfits, and posing under bright lights was too much of a hassle.
That’s when I came across AI headshot generators.
These tools claim to create high-quality portraits from just a few selfies. You don’t need to spend thousands on a professional photoshoot.
Sounds unbelievable, right? I thought so too.
Could AI really replace a professional headshot? I decided to find out.
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What Is a Professional AI Headshot Generator?
AI headshot generators basically use machine learning and convert your ordinary selfies into professional-looking portraits. These tools can adjust lighting and refine facial features. They swap backgrounds to create images that look like professionally clicked photos.
I was convinced that AI headshot generators weren’t worth the hype.
So of course I had to try a lot of AI headshot generators, like Forge Headshots, which, by the way, is one of the leading AI headshot platforms.
The process was simple:
- Upload a few casual selfies.
- Let the AI analyze and enhance the images.
- Receive multiple polished, professional headshots.
If you’ve ever gotten a headshot taken by a professional photographer, you might already be aware of the lengths you have to go through to get great pictures.
You’ll have to buy ten different outfits, travel to multiple locations, and pay a lot of money to get a few headshots. Out of 300 headshots clicked, you’ll probably only be left with 10–15 usable pictures.
That’s where professional AI headshot generators have an advantage. You can generate hundreds of headshots from the comfort of your home by simply uploading a few selfies! Plus, you have the added advantage of choosing your outfits and background. Everything, all in just one click.
Sounds amazing, right?
So, if you are —
- a professional who needs a polished look,
- a side hustler looking for affordable branding solutions,
- a job seeker wanting to make a strong first impression on LinkedIn and your resume, or
- a solopreneur who needs high-quality images for social media,
You should definitely check out AI headshot generators.
Introducing Forge Headshots: A New AI Headshot Tool on the Block
Forge Headshots claims to be the #1 AI Headshot Generator trusted by professionals and that the headshots can be generated within just 5 minutes. This tool has created 15 Million+ headshots for the top teams in the world like Amazon, Google, Harvard, etc.
You can see a comparative analysis between a Studio Photoshoot vs. Forge Headshots mentioned on their website. Let me share a screenshot of that, so that it’s easier for you to understand.
Let’s take a look at the pricing plans of Forge Headshots.
This is actually a pretty good deal. I mean, you can get AI headshots in minutes and not spend money on overpriced studio fees. Plus, you can skip the awkwardness of posing in front of a photographer for hours.
The Basic plan at $39 seems like the best value. But if you’re in a rush, the Premium one at $59 gets you 200 pro shots in just 15 minutes. The Starter plan at $29 is great if you only need a few. Plus, you get a 100% money-back guarantee, so it’s pretty risk-free.
My Experience Using Forge Headshots: Step-by-Step Review
The first step is to visit the Forge Headshots website. Here’s what the homepage looks like:
Next, click on “Create Your Headshots”. Enter your email, then type in the verification code sent to your inbox.
That’s it! I love how simple it is to get started.
Now, it’s time to enter my personal details. Let’s start filling this out.
Okay, I’m done filling out the form. I love that this tool specifically asks for my height and body type. The only other tool that’s done this is Headshot Pro. Most other tools just stick to the basics.
Another cool feature Forge Headshots has is the option to select if you want glasses in all your headshots. Small tweaks, but they ensure there’s consistency across all your AI photos.
I’ll click on “Continue.” Now, it’s time to upload my photos. I don’t see a specific number mentioned, but I’ll stick with 8–10 pictures.
If you’re worried about privacy, here’s what Forge Headshots has to say —
Your photos are used only to train our AI model for your specific headshots and are automatically deleted right away after processing.
Some dos and don’ts regarding the pictures you upload:
- No sunglasses (regular glasses are fine).
- Look at the camera,
- Avoid funny expressions,
- Make sure you’re alone in the photos so the focus stays entirely on you.
Once you’re done uploading the pictures, you’ll need to choose a subscription. I’ve chosen the “Premium” plan.
The final step is to select styles. Forge Headshots has some amazing options to choose from, including — Yacht, Urban sidewalk, Golden hour, Beach, etc.
Once you’ve selected the styles, click on “Submit to create your headshots.”
In just 15 minutes, I had my headshots ready. How amazing is that?
Here are the results:
I love how natural the images turned out! Forge Headshots carefully captured my skin and hair texture too. I can see the smile lines, tiny baby hairs on my head, and the creases on my shirt. I absolutely love how realistic the images are.
If the headshots aren’t amazing enough, Forge Headshots generated some full-body images too. Look how cool they are —
If I send this to my friends, they’ll definitely think these images were taken by a professional photographer and not generated by AI.
This one’s my favourite
I love outdoor photoshoots, and this one’s so good, right? Look at the level of detail. I can clearly see the ocean waves, the hand of the watch, the shine on my earring, the tiny hairs standing upright, how the sun has lit up only one side of my face, everything! It feels like it was clicked using a DSLR by a professional photographer. Plus, no other tool has ever given me a headshot with a beach background, so I love it even more!
Now, these are the headshots I personally didn’t like:
At first glance, these headshots look amazing too. But, to be honest, I don’t show my teeth while smiling in my headshots, and I also don’t have perfectly aligned teeth. So, these headshots deviate from my natural look. I think Forge Headshots should provide an option to choose whether you want your teeth to show in the images or not.
My verdict: Is ForgeHeadshots Worth it?
100% yes!
Overall, I am absolutely in love with the images generated.
I can see myself using at least 15–20 of the headshots generated on LinkedIn, for my YouTube thumbnails, and more, which is fantastic for the price I’m paying.
When you go to a professional photoshoot, hire a photographer, and spend like a thousand dollars, you’ll probably only be able to use about 10–15 of the pictures clicked.
I’ve experimented with a lot of AI headshot generators, and one thing I often notice is that the generated images are airbrushed or overedited. But Forge Headshots generated images that look so realistic and natural.
Pros and Cons of AI-Generated Headshots
AI headshot generators are amazing, especially if you need a professional image quick and without all the extra hassle.
I’ve used them myself. I have to say, they’re incredibly convenient. You just upload a few selfies, and within minutes, you’ll get multiple polished headshots to choose from. You yourself saw the quality of the headshots generated.
You don’t need to book any appointments and worry about outfits. Plus, if you’re camera shy, then it can be super stressful to sit for long sessions under bright lights during a professional photoshoot.
The cost is a fraction of what you’d spend on a professional photographer.
Of course, nothing is perfect. You’ll see minor inconsistencies. Some pictures might not be usable at all. Some pictures might make you look unnatural. At times, the AI over-edits pictures, like, airbrushed skin or heavily filtered hair.
But, honestly? These issues are pretty small compared to the time, money, and effort you’d save.
When you hire a photographer, sure, you get that personal touch and authenticity. But you also face a much higher price tag and a significant time investment. But the images generated are still clean and professional, and that’s more than enough for most business purposes.
AI headshots give you a great balance between affordability, convenience, and quality.
That’s pretty hard to overlook, right?
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use a Professional AI Headshot Generator?
I think AI headshot generators are perfect for freelancers, remote workers, startup founders, and job seekers on a budget.
These tools are pretty quick and affordable. You get that polished, professional look without the need for an expensive photoshoot.
I value efficiency a lot, and I’ve found AI headshot generators to be a great solution for building a professional online presence.
However, on the same note I’d say they’re not ideal for everyone. If you’re an actor, model, or anyone in high-end branding, you may need the personal touch of a real photographer because your pictures must reflect some emotional depth.
For media personalities and influencers, AI headshots can easily give you that connection you need with your audience.
Final Thoughts: Can You Trust AI with Your Professional Headshot?
After using Forge Headshots, I can confidently say that AI-generated headshots are an excellent option for many professionals.
Like you saw before, the process is incredibly simple: upload a few selfies, and within minutes, I have a set of polished, professional-looking headshots.
The quality is impressive for the price and convenience.
My overall recommendation? If you need a quick, affordable headshot then AI-generated headshots are absolutely worth it.
However, I don’t think AI headshots are a full replacement for professional photoshoots. For passport photos and government ID verification processes, you’d still need a real photographer to capture you.
But if you’re looking for business headshots, go for AI headshot generators.
Other AI Headshot Tools I Tried — and Why Forge Still Wins
Over the past few months, I’ve experimented with several AI headshot generators.
Each tool has its unique strengths — some offer some post-generation editing features, some have solid remix tools, and others lean into stylized, full-body portraits.
But after testing them all, Forge Headshots stood out the most in terms of overall polish, realism, and ease of use.
Forge Headshots felt the most natural — with textures like skin, hair, and fabric captured with impressive detail. The turnaround time was faster than most tools I tried, and the variety of professional styles (like the beach or urban backgrounds) gave it a creative edge.
Plus, features like height/body type input and the option to include or exclude glasses made Forge feel more thoughtfully personalized than any other platform I used.
If you’re choosing between AI headshot tools, Forge Headshots delivers a rare balance of quality, convenience, and control — and for the price, it’s tough to beat.
FAQs: AI Headshot Generation Tools
Q. Are AI headshots professional enough for LinkedIn?
Yes, AI-generated headshots are good enough for LinkedIn.
Q. How secure is my data with AI headshot generators?
Reputable AI headshot tools use encryption and take privacy seriously. But you should always check the privacy policy.
Q. Do AI generated headshots look realistic?
AI headshots look pretty realistic, but yes, occasional minor inconsistencies can occur.
Q. Can AI replace traditional photography?
AI is a great shortcut, but I think it can’t fully replace the authenticity and nuance of traditional photography.
So if you’re someone who needs high-quality, professional headshots consistently, I would definitely recommend using Forge Headshots. The headshots generated are slick, classy, have amazing backgrounds, and are super detailed.
However, if you’re a content creator whose niche relies on authenticity, I would say you should stick to clicking candids and use them more. This helps you connect with your audience in a much better way.
For LinkedIn profile pictures, YouTube thumbnails, resumes, and more, I can definitely use the headshots generated. For the price I’m paying, I’m satisfied with the results.
So, what are you waiting for? Create your account at Forge Headshots today and start generating awesome headshots for yourself and others!
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