I Compared AI Headshots for Personal Branding – Here’s My Ratings

Personal Branding, Leadership Engagement, and the Future of Employee-Generated Content Powered by AI Headshots

Why Personal Branding is the CXO’s Superpower

It’s a digital world and personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the secret weapon for career growth, brand awareness, and leadership influence. I am not just speaking as an industry expert, I’m speaking from experience! I went from 500 connections to 84,000+ followers on LinkedIn, speaking on global stages from London to LA, gracing magazine features, and even launching a speaking career. This journey transformed me from a Marketing Coordinator just a decade ago to a fractional CMO today, working with industry titans like Arianna Huffington, Matthew McConaughey, and major brands like Merrill Lynch and LinkedIn.

The reason? People trust people.?

82% of consumers are more likely to trust a company when its executives are active on social media (LinkedIn). When leaders step up, share insights, and engage with their audience, they elevate not just themselves but their entire organization.

The Neuroscience of Leadership Visibility

Humans are wired to follow strong, visible leaders. According to consumer psychology, mirror neurons—the brain’s way of mimicking behavior—help us connect emotionally with people we see often. This is why leaders with a consistent presence online build trust faster… and drive engagement.

Take Mark Zuckerberg’s rebrand as an example. For years, he was seen as robotic and disconnected. Then, he made strategic changes: showing up in public, discussing AI with charisma, embracing a new look/haircut, and leaning into his role as a thought leader. The result? Facebook’s (now Meta’s) reputation saw a tremendous shift, proving that a CEO’s personal reinvention can transform a corporate brand (Daily Brand).

Employee-Generated Content is the Future of Digital Marketing

Forget corporate marketing fluff—employee-generated content (EGC) is 561% more effective at reaching audiences than traditional brand messaging (Hootsuite). When employees and leaders share their real experiences, the authenticity resonates.

But so many leaders still focus on polished ads when the real goldmine is already within their company: their people. 76% of consumers trust content shared by individuals over brands (Edelman). Imagine the power of an entire workforce amplifying brand stories, culture, and expertise.

The Power of Professional Representation

Your personal brand extends beyond what you say—it’s how you visually represent yourself. Polished, on-brand headshots and engaging visuals reinforce credibility. 77% of consumers prefer to engage with companies where executives maintain an active, professional online presence (Sprout Social).

This means ditching the blurry, outdated photos and embracing high-quality imagery. Even AI-generated headshots are now a game-changer, producing professional results without the need for an expensive studio session.

AI as a Personal Branding Accelerator

As the fractional CMO at Train in Your Lane, I’m at the forefront of AI technology and corporate training, helping professionals and companies navigate AI 1.0 and AI 2.0 for leadership and marketing. AI tools can now automate and enhance how executives build their presence:

• AI Headshot Generators for professional brand imagery
• AI-Powered Writing Tools to craft engaging LinkedIn posts and email responses
• AI Assistants to help respond to comments and engage with audiences
• AI for Speech & Presentation Prep, refining messaging for leadership visibility

By integrating AI, leaders can scale their brand without spending hours crafting every detail manually… think of it like FINALLY having your own personal assistant that never sleeps and continuously learns to improve .

AI Headshot Generators… The Best & Worst Players

I personally tested the top AI headshot generators to see which ones deliver high-quality, professional results. Here’s the rundown:

The Best AI Headshot Tools

Ranking Number 1 - Aragon.AI

The quality is top-notch, and it even allows you to customize body shape and select different outfit styles. The result? The AI photos actually look like me—a rarity in the AI-generated world! It even got my “snaggle tooth” correct (as one troll once called it).

Another thing I loved was the option to explore unique themes. Outside of the cliche office images and headshots, you could have a travel album, Christmas photos, or glamour shots! The variety of styles and background options were really cool.

• Cost: $45 (Used a promo code NEW10 to bring it down to $40.50)
• Pros: Extremely high-quality images, diverse backgrounds, great for glasses wearers, no weird fingers, highly detailed, interesting apparel options
• Cons: Body shape wasn’t always accurate, lacks customer service support

I’m obsessed. Try it for yourself here.

Ranking Number 2 - BetterPic

I initially used BetterPic in September 2024 and was blown away—it left Remini in the dust! But, AI evolves daily, so I had to test it again a few months later. This time, I noticed some quirks: extra fingers, oddly long wrists, and even misplaced buttons on my clothes.?

One of the pictures I uploaded as a reference point for the AI engine included some big christmas tree earrings… and the AI rendered those into the final images. I wasn’t as impressed.

When I shared my feedback with their team, their customer service was phenomenal—they reprocessed my entire batch for free! That level of dedication to excellence makes them a top contender, however, their quality just didn’t compare with Aragon’s excellence.

• Cost: $39 (Pro Subscription - 60 headshots, 3 styles)
• Pros: Affordable, outstanding customer service, continuously improving technology
• Cons: Some AI-generated errors require manual intervention, too many fingers, weird teeth and extra long wrists in many of the shots

The Worst AI Headshot Generators

Ranking The Worst – Canva’s FREE AI Generator

What’s better than a low cost AI headshot generator? A FREE one! However… this one wasn’t so hot. This was so bad that it didn’t even work! I tried six times with various headshots of varying quality and cropping and still ran into errors.

• Cost: Free
• Cons: Unreliable, poor quality, technical failures

Second Worst - Remini?

Remini might be the most well-known AI headshot generator, but it’s also the most overhyped. The problems?

• Terrible hands (still can’t get fingers right)
• Waxy, unrealistic skin
• Uncanny, generic smiles
• Dated and unflattering wardrobe choices

Most of the results were so unnatural that I would never use them as a professional headshot.

• Cost: Varies
• Cons: Poor quality, unrealistic results, doesn’t meet professional standards

Final Thoughts on AI Headshots

The Future of AI in Personal Branding

AI isn’t replacing human connection—it’s enhancing it. Leaders who embrace AI for personal branding will stay ahead of the game, leveraging automation for efficiency while maintaining authenticity.

So, if you haven’t started investing in your personal brand and leadership presence, what are you waiting for? The future belongs to visible, engaged, AI-powered leaders.

Visit traininyourlane.com to learn more or email me at [email protected] to inquire about our training programs and I will hook you up with a friends and family discount ???

Want A Personal Brand? Take the Personal Branding Course

Personal branding shapes perceptions, highlights your unique value, builds credibility, and attracts opportunities, enhancing your career trajectory and professional relationships.

Course Focus Areas:

• Defining Your Unique Value Proposition
• Building an Online Presence
• Networking and Relationship Building
• Managing Your Reputation

Learn how to integrate AI into your personal brand strategy to amplify your message and streamline your approach. You will walk away from the course, ready to present your brand confidently, whether online or in-person, without losing authenticity.

About Chantel Soumis

Chantel Soumis is a powerhouse in the marketing world—a fractional Chief Marketing Officer for clients at Stay in Your Lane, known for her ability to transform brands and drive exponential growth. From advising Fortune 500 companies and working alongside icons, Chantel has built an impressive reputation as a strategic thought leader. With a deep-rooted expertise in consumer psychology, she understands the subconscious triggers that influence engagement, trust, and brand loyalty. Her journey—from 500 LinkedIn connections to a global audience of 84,000 followers—demonstrates the power of personal branding, leadership engagement, and AI-driven marketing strategies. Whether she's speaking on international stages, shaping the future of AI adoption in marketing, or helping professionals craft compelling digital identities, Chantel’s impact is undeniable. Visit linkedin.com/in/chantelsoumis to connect or learn more.