Last week, a professional connection invited me to try a new AI-developed headshot service- SECTA LABS. I support getting updated headshots regularly and have a great relationship with a local photographer here in Central Florida. So I was curious and eager to try out this new technology.
For job seekers and new professionals- the $30-40 price tag versus $300+ makes professional headshots much more accessible. Add in hair/makeup. clothes, and a day off work and professional headshots can get expensive and time consuming. I do appreciate that professional headshots are really ME and I can better control how my image is used, how I am posed, what I wear, etc...
The process was simple- upload 25+ photos, answer some questions, and two-hours later- I had a link to 400+ new AI headshots. I was initially surprised at the quality of the photos and the number of photos that actually looked like me- well maybe me but way more photogenic? I also smile so big in pictures that my eyes often look closed. I downloaded the 50+ photos that I liked best and put a few of them into rotation on my various social media accounts. My new Facebook picture generated over 100+ likes and many comments. My new LinkedIn photo generated several texts from friends/colleagues complimenting me on my new headshots.
A good number of the photos had issues though- often my eyes were dramatically different sizes or one pupil would be huge and the other one small. Sometimes my necklace would have a noticeable break in the chain or the photo was blurry. I have light blue eyes, but the AI really emphasized them in most pictures. In some photos, I look more like a cartoon character. I also enjoyed seeing various hairstyles and clothing styles that I would never normally consider!
Overall, I enjoyed this experience. It started some great conversations with my partner and our son about the future of local photographers, the power of AI, and the need to be more cognizant of the photos that are out there- are they real? are they retouched? are they AI?
My partner Ben is not a fan of the AI photos AT ALL. I love them, I really do. Don't worry Ben, our family holiday card next year will actually be the three of us, I promise!
Some of the ones I liked:
They do offer a full refund if you are not satisfied with the photos. A colleague tried it this week and did not have a great experience. She asked for the refund and it was granted immediately.
I'm curious to see how this takes off in the coming months and where the price point will land.
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