VODOOAI headshot generator: professional headshots that still look like you
By VODOO AI · · 4 min read
A good headshot used to mean booking a photographer, picking an outfit and hoping you liked one of the forty frames. An AI headshot generator gets you most of the way from a single clear photo you already have: a clean background, flattering light, and a choice of looks for LinkedIn, a team page, a speaker bio or a press kit.
The catch is likeness. A headshot that doesn't look like you is worse than none. This guide shows how to start from the right photo, how to write the brief so the engine changes the setting and not your face, and which engines to use.
Start from the right photo
- Face the camera, or turn slightly, with both eyes visible.
- Use daylight from a window in front of you, not behind.
- No sunglasses, hats or heavy filters.
- Take it at eye level, from about an arm's length or a little further.
- Wear what you'd wear in the final headshot, or say what to change in the brief.
Which engine to use
Nano Banana
- Best for
- Editing your own photo: new background, light and outfit, same face
Seedream
- Best for
- Polished, magazine-style portraits with rich detail
Flux
- Best for
- Clean, natural studio headshots with realistic skin
Imagen
- Best for
- Bright, simple corporate looks
| Engine | Best for |
|---|---|
| Nano Banana | Editing your own photo: new background, light and outfit, same face |
| Seedream | Polished, magazine-style portraits with rich detail |
| Flux | Clean, natural studio headshots with realistic skin |
| Imagen | Bright, simple corporate looks |
For headshots of a real person, start with Nano Banana: it edits the photo you give it, so your face stays your face. Seedream and Flux are good for a more styled look. Our Nano Banana prompts guide has more on editing photos this way.
Briefs to copy
Using this photo of me: keep my face, hair and expression exactly the same. Change the background to a soft, out-of-focus light grey studio backdrop. Soft window light from the front left, gentle shadow on the right. Navy blazer over a white shirt. Head and shoulders, centred, natural skin texture, no smoothing.Make this in VODOO →
Using this photo of me: keep my face and features exactly as they are. Place me in a bright modern office with plants and wooden shelves softly blurred behind. Warm afternoon light, relaxed smile, charcoal knit jumper. Chest-up framing, shallow depth of field, realistic skin.Make this in VODOO →
Using this photo of me: same face, same hair. A confident editorial portrait against a deep teal backdrop, dramatic side light from the right, black turtleneck, arms loosely crossed. Waist-up, slightly low camera angle, crisp detail, natural skin texture.Make this in VODOO →
Keep it looking like you
- Say "keep my face exactly the same" at the start of the brief.
- Change one or two things at a time: background and light first, then outfit.
- Ask for natural skin texture. Over-smoothed skin is the quickest giveaway.
- Compare the result with your original photo at full size before using it.
Once you have a headshot you like, you can bring it to life: image to video turns it into a short clip for a profile video or an intro reel.
The right shape for each place
LinkedIn, Slack, email
- Shape
- Square
- Framing
- Head and shoulders, face in the middle third
Team or about page
- Shape
- Portrait, 4:5
- Framing
- Chest up, a little room above the head
Speaker bio or press kit
- Shape
- Portrait, 2:3
- Framing
- Waist up, space on one side for text
Website banner
- Shape
- Wide, 16:9
- Framing
- You on one side, background on the other
| Where | Shape | Framing |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn, Slack, email | Square | Head and shoulders, face in the middle third |
| Team or about page | Portrait, 4:5 | Chest up, a little room above the head |
| Speaker bio or press kit | Portrait, 2:3 | Waist up, space on one side for text |
| Website banner | Wide, 16:9 | You on one side, background on the other |
Say the shape in the brief, for example "square, head and shoulders", so the engine frames it for that spot. Profile pictures are often shown as a circle, so keep your face well inside the edges.
Make yours
- 01Upload your photoOpen Create and add a clear, well-lit photo of yourself.
- 02Paste a briefCopy one of the briefs above and change the outfit or background to suit you.
- 03Make a few and pickMake three or four versions and keep the one that looks most like you.
Start in Create with 300 free credits a month, no card needed. Only use photos of yourself, or of people who've said yes.
Questions people ask
- What is the best AI headshot generator?
- For a headshot of a real person, an engine that edits your own photo, such as Nano Banana, keeps your likeness best. Seedream and Flux suit more styled portraits.
- Can I use AI headshots on LinkedIn?
- Yes, as long as it is a photo of you and still looks like you. Keep the face unchanged and change only the background, light and clothes.
- Can I make a headshot of someone else?
- Only with their permission. VODOO is for making pictures of yourself, your team with their consent, or people who don't exist.