AI headshots vs a photographer: what a firm should weigh up
AI headshots vs photographer: how the two compare for a UK firm on cost, time, likeness and staff who are hard to get in one room. Birdie Portraits is a corporate photography business that also photographs teams in person.
AI headshots vs photographer, factor by factor
For a firm in one office with everyone free on one date, a shoot is simple. For a firm spread across offices and home, the balance tips the other way.
- Cost. A photographer charges per person, per hour or by the day, and each office adds a visit. Birdie Me pricing is given on a demo.
- Time. A shoot takes a date in every office. With Birdie Me, each person uploads when they can.
- Likeness. A photograph is the person. An AI headshot can miss, so a photographer checks every one first.
- Consistency. A shoot matches the people who were there. The same check and four fixed sizes cover everyone, including people who join later.
What a photographer costs
UK price guides from Bark and from photographers price per person, per hour or as a day rate. Retouching per image, travel, faster delivery and hair and make-up are often extra, and London prices tend to be higher. For a team, add the time away from work.
Do AI headshots look real?
Often, but not always. Common faults are skin that looks too smooth, clothes that drift from what the person wore, small errors at the ears, collar and hairline, and earphones carried over from the photos. Each frame is approved, made again or rejected, and anyone can have a real photo placed on your plate instead.
When a photo shoot is still the right call
Group photos, events, portraits in a particular place and any portrait where direction on the day matters.
Questions
What is the main difference?
A photographer's photo is the person, taken on a set day. An AI headshot is made from photos the person uploads and can miss a likeness, so with Birdie Me a photographer reviews every one.
How much do corporate headshots cost in the UK?
Photographers usually price per person, per hour or as a day rate, with extra for retouching, travel and London. Birdie Me pricing is given on a demo.
Can you mix AI headshots with photos from a shoot?
Yes. Photos from a shoot are moved onto your firm's plates, and both arrive in the same four sizes.
What happens to staff data?
Birdie Me stores photos and headshots in London and records each person's consent with its wording. Files are kept only as long as they are needed to make and deliver the headshots, and anyone can ask for theirs to be deleted.
Book a demo
Tell us about your team and your offices, and Birdie Portraits will reply to arrange a demo.