Are AI Headshot OK to use?

You’ve seen AI headshots all over social media these days. Before you upload you photo to one of those AI generators, here’s something you should know. You no longer retain ownership of that data. Your image can now be used anywhere for any purpose.

For my corporate clients, I’m pretty sure they never said “we’re ok with you doing whatever you want with our images.”

NOBODY CONNECTS WITH PERFECTION

In addition to the security risks at hand, AI headshots give a false sense of perfection.

Large companies spend millions of marketing money to present their brand and unique as authentic. This connection comes through individual headshots of their people. People do business with other people, not blank un-identifiable companies. Remember Johnson and Johnson? They used to use adorable babies and families as part of their advertising. Why? Because we can relate and connect with that.

AI headshots are the equivalent of using bitmoji and emoji’s. A fun social media idea but not for a successful company looking to connect with their ideal client.

Professional headshot photographers are the key to authentic marketing in a world where everything will look and feel the same.

COPYRIGHT RISKS OF AI HEADSHOTS

The US Copyright Office which calls AI generated art a “completely mechanical” process with “no place for novelty, invention, or originality,” and therefore not worthy of copyright protection. Companies using AI images risk having exclusivity not to mention these images can be used by anybody in any way they like.

Experienced professional headshot photographers know that it’s also common for companies to require photographers to sign NDAs when contracted to capture their team. These agreements often ban the photographer from not only sharing the photos online, but from even sharing social posts that include BTS images of their office, company name, or any other information about the company and their location. If they choose to use AI headshots for their team, they relinquish legal recourse and invite others to use images of their team members in whatever way they like, without the ability to protect themselves.

FUTURE OF HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY

AI headshots can be fun but what professional headshot photographers offer is an authentic and unique perspective of an individual which yields a one of a kind marketing product.

Professional headshot photographers are the key to authentic marketing in a world where everything can look and feel the same.