Will a real headshot portrait always beat an AI avatar?

In a world increasingly filled with filters, avatars, and “this-person-does-not-exist” faces, showing up as your actual self has never mattered more. Sure, AI can now whip up a headshot in seconds that looks about 94% like you on your best day. But here’s the thing: deep down, we humans are a pretty intuitive bunch. Even if we don’t consciously spot it, something in us senses when something’s a little… off.

You might call it a “gut feeling”. Scientists call it microexpressions and subconscious processing. But either way, our brains are wired to trust people – not generated pixels pretending to be people.

You’re not a bot (why would you want them to generate and replace your likeness?)

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a start-up founder, or part of a small team that knows people buy from people, how you come across online really matters. Your LinkedIn profile, website, email signature… all those little digital breadcrumbs add up to a first and also ongoing impression. And often, that impression is made before you’ve even spoken a word.

If your photo looks a bit off, that “bit” can have a huge after-effect – something may be lost. Trust. Personality. A sense of who you actually are. And if your headshot’s been AI-generated, no matter how good it looks, it’s still not you. It’s like sending a hologram to a meeting and hoping no one notices.

Can you tell which one is real? And which one comes across as cold and intimidating? Which one, on the other hand, has the genuine, human warmth to it?

What I do

My job is to help you make the right impression, especially in all the places you can’t physically be. I create natural, impactful headshot portraits that act like your deputies. They go out into the world on your behalf and, without words, say to everybody: This person is trustworthy. This person is good at what they do. This person is easy to work with.

And here’s the best part – even if you’re camera-shy, awkward, or have a deep-rooted belief that you’re “not photogenic”, I can relate because I’m like that. And I know how to help you through it. (Most of my favourite photos come from people who said exactly that.) I guide and coach you into looking confident and approachable – looking good even if you don’t think it is possible.

Aiming for that rare sweet spot: the best version of you, but not generated.

But can’t AI just do the job?

It can do the job, yes. Just not well. Even the best avatars are still generated, and your brain might pick up on tiny cues that make things feel a little uncanny. It’s like a waxwork of a celebrity – accurate, but would you trust it with your money or your dog?

Real photos, on the other hand, show the little things that make us human. Subtle imperfections and details we cannot put our finger on. That’s what builds trust.

Plus, when someone sees a real photo of you and then meets you in real life, the impression carries through. With an AI-generated image, the gap between “online you” and “in-person you” can feel jarring. Which is… not ideal.

Speaking of “in-person-you”, here’s a bonus that people rarely think about: you’ll also learn what works when it comes to your facial expressions in real life. You’ll start to understand what kind of expression looks confident, warm, or credible – because we’ll be working through that together during your shoot.

And the ripple effect? You’ll feel more at ease when giving a talk or pitching to a room. You won’t be so easily caught off guard if someone points a phone at you and snaps a photo you, looking weird or with a smile to one side/smirk (I’ve been there). It’s also a proper expression-coaching, baked into the whole experience. You’d miss on all of this if you choose to generate headshots by AI.

I travel (so you don’t have to)

My setup is fully portable, which means I can come to you – whether that’s your boardroom, co-working space, home office, or even your living room (yes, I work in those regularly too).

I bring all the gear, lighting and expertise to create impactful headshots wherever you feel most comfortable. The goal is to keep things simple, relaxed, and dare I say, even enjoyable?

What makes my approach a bit different?

• It’s actually you in the photo – not a deepfake.
• I coach you gently but confidently, even if you don’t know what to do with your hands (spoiler: nobody ever does).
• You get images that build trust instantly – ideal for websites, LinkedIn, or pitching to big clients.
• I’m happy to travel and set up anywhere. Your office. Your home. Or even garden or a park.
• Camera-shy? Nervous? I can relate because I am like that myself but also I know how to overcome that. I’ll help you do the same.
• You’ll walk away with a set of images that feel like you – but on a really good day. (Think: “I’ve had a good night’s sleep and remembered my password on the first try” vibes.)
• The whole experience is personal, professional, and just the right amount of fun.
• I don’t batch-edit you into looking like someone else. Just a better-lit, more confident version of you.
• My focus is on connection and that little something that is unique to you – because people trust real.

If you’re thinking about how you show up online – or how your team shows up – don’t leave it to AI. Don’t let a generated version of you do the handshakes and introductions.

Let’s create something real, together.

Have a look around my website if you’d like to learn more or book a session. Or drop me a message if you’re still not sure what to wear, how it all works, or whether your office is too small or cluttered (it most likely isn’t).

Let’s capture the version of you that people can trust from the very first glance.