While meeting face-to-face might have been the way of the old days, we're now living and networking in the digital world. Often, our professional headshots are the first thing a recruiter or potential employer sees when they glaze over our resumes or LinkedIn profiles.
For years, we've been told first impressions mean everything, even neuroscience backs this notion up. How one presents oneself to the outside world can be a major factor in hiring decisions. Are we friendly, confident, and trustworthy? Dressed to impress? Ready to be taken seriously? Did we care enough to get our professional portrait taken in the first place?
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In all honesty, I had not given much thought about getting a professional headshot, until my first year of college when I began applying for internships. After scrolling through hoards of selfies and Instagram posts, my last-ditch option was to reuse a picture from my senior year photo shoot. It was incredibly outdated, zoomed in, grainy, and underwhelming, to say the least. Unfortunately, as a 20-year-old, I didn't have the disposable income to drop $1,000 on a professional shoot.
I wish I'd known about Portrait Pal's AI headshot generator.
Artificial intelligence can do all sorts of incredible things, like write your memoir, turn you into a cartoon character or predict what your future baby will look like. But, Portrait Pal is a bit different. This AI service is primarily concerned with making you look your best for professional opportunities. Pricing starts at just $35.
It only took a few minutes to get my Portrait Pal account set up. I entered all the basic information; name, age, hair color, and physical stature. Then, I dropped in a few photos of my face. If, for any reason, you're not feeling like digging through your camera roll, there is also an option to plop in your Instagram or Facebook handle. The experience was seamless; there were no annoying pop-ups or trick questions. All I did was sit back and let the AI get to work.
A few hours later, my headshots were ready. Let me be honest here. At first, I was a bit of a skeptic. I half-expected to be insulted by the results. I thought that at the very best, my headshots might have that unrealistic blur coated with CGI makeup. At worst, I feared that it would appear like a botched Frankenstein, with my face sewn onto another person's body. As I clicked to open my album, my expectations were low.
But as my photos started loading, I couldn't believe my eyes. The resemblance was uncanny. Actually, scratch that. I can't even say resemblance, because the photos I was looking at were undeniably, the real me. Just me with a full face of glam, a perfect haircut, a sleek blazer, and fantastic lighting. I thought to myself -- I would hire her.
I had selected the starter package. There were 20 photos to choose from. Some portraits against solid backgrounds, some in glitzy office spaces, a few dimly-lit libraries, and even a couple woodsy outdoor venues. I was captured in a variety of expressions and poses. It's hard to believe Portrait Pal's technology had not studied me from afar. It's almost like it knew just how I cross my arms, squint my eyes, and tip my chin when I smile.
Let's get one thing out of the way. Nobody is going to guess that these were made by AI. Not even your own mother. After showing my headshot to mine, she shrugged and replied, "Oh, where did you get that top?" In other words, the person in the photos is still you -- just you on your very best day.
Portrait Pal offers a variety of photos, so you can choose a headshot that represents your industry and goals. Take it from me. I'm a journalist. Naturally, I was drawn to the shots of me posing in front of a stack of books. I suspect this might even send cues to future employers, so when they look at you for the first time, they think, "Yeah, I could imagine her in this role." It's just a subliminal suggestion.
Finally, the entire site is exceptionally user-friendly and the whole process takes less than five minutes. You can set your account up while multitasking, which is essential for busy professionals who hardly have the time to check their email or look up from their screens.
There are still plenty of occasions that call for real-life photography. But, there are also times when cutting a few hours out of your weekend to drop a thousand dollars on a professional photographer and fuss over your clothing, hair, and makeup, doesn't make any sense at all.
Besides, who's to say an AI headshot generator isn't an art form in itself? It just happens to be more accessible than most. Portrait Pal is for everyone -- whether you are a college freshman looking to get your foot in the door or a seasoned executive ready for a LinkedIn makeover.
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