10+ pros and cons of Company headshots and how AI can help

We know why you want to get a headshot done for your employees. It makes complete sense. There are sooo many benefits. For people who are still thinking if it’s a good idea, let me reinstigate why it is an even better idea to go for AI headshots for your team or employees. BUT first, let’s talk about why it’s a good idea in general.

So here are some reasons you should get company headshots:

Professionalism and Branding: Professional headshots contribute to a cohesive and polished company image. They are often used on the company’s website, marketing materials, and social media, reinforcing the brand's professionalism.

First Impressions: High-quality headshots help create a positive first impression with clients, partners, and potential employees. They provide a face to the name, making interactions more personal and approachable. This really up’s your game.

Uniformity: Consistent headshots ensure a uniform look across all employees, which helps maintain a professional and cohesive appearance on company profiles, directories, and marketing materials. Should look a firm out the TV show suits!

Employee Recognition: Headshots help in recognizing and identifying employees, especially in larger companies. This can foster a sense of community and make it easier for employees to connect with one another.

Marketing and Public Relations: Professional headshots are essential for press releases, interviews, speaking engagements, and other PR activities. They provide a consistent and professional image to the public. This one really takes the cake.

Social Media and Networking: Headshots are commonly used on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Having a professional photo enhances an employee's online presence and supports their personal branding. And yes, in today’s date their personal branding is important. So so we’ll show you how to create the perfect AI LinkedIn Photo for your employees.

Trust and Credibility: Seeing the faces of real people behind a company can build trust and credibility with clients and customers. It humanizes the brand and makes it more relatable.

Internal Use: Within the company, headshots can be used in internal communications, organizational charts, and employee directories, making it easier for employees to get to know their colleagues.

How it feels to your employees

Did you ever think about what your employees go through? Lol, exactly as in the image above. Here are some things that make them look like this. Let’s see all the phrases people have talked about and encountered.

• “Chin up, no, down a bit…now smile, but not too much!”: Employees have to endure the photographer’s endless stream of micro-adjustments that make them feel like a marionette. ah, who needs that? I am yawning already.
• “Try looking off into the distance.”: Pretending to gaze thoughtfully into the void, only to feel utterly ridiculous? They’ll be making a fool of themselves.

• “Does this color wash me out?”: The stress of choosing the perfect outfit that’s both professional and flattering. Gosh, I have a hard time selecting my daily outfit let alone for for a photoshoot
• “Oh no, I wore the same shirt as last year!”: Some people turn up in the same attire as their last headshot. What are they even doing here?

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Women employees get anxious asking - 

• “Is my makeup too much?”: Overdone makeup sessions that leave them looking like they’re ready for a theater performance.
• “Who’s got the hairspray?”: The communal struggle over hair products to tame those flyaways.

And some more - 

• “Small talk with coworkers while anxiously waiting.”: Forced chit-chat in the makeshift waiting room while others get their photos taken. Who needs that?
• “Who's next?”: Ah, the tense moments of waiting for their name to be called, feeling like they’re at the dentist’s office.
• “Smile, but not too much!”: The struggle of finding that perfect, natural-looking smile after several failed attempts.
• “Relax your face.”: Sure they’ll relax it just when you say that. It’s like telling someone to calm down when they are angry.

And not to forget what happens post-shoot -

“Do I really look like that?”:  The existential crisis of reviewing photos and questioning every feature of their face.

“Why is my head tilted like that?”: Analyzing why the head looks like it’s at a strange angle in every shot.

Also pestering HR asking - 

“When will I get my photos?”: The long wait for the final edited photos to be delivered weeks later burdens your HR. 

“Can you send me the high-res version?”:  Have fun with the back-and-forth emails requesting different versions and sizes of their headshot.

The process - The Cumbersome process of Company Headshots

Getting employee headshots done is a herculean process that requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved, emphasizing the challenges and complexities:

1. Planning and Coordination:

Scheduling: Coordinating a time when all employees are available for the photo session is incredibly challenging. Employees often have different schedules, meetings, and responsibilities, making it nearly impossible to find a convenient time for everyone.

Budgeting: Allocating a budget for professional headshots can be difficult. High-quality photographers are expensive, and costs can escalate quickly when factoring in makeup artists, hair stylists, and potential location fees.

2. Finding a Photographer:

Research: Identifying a reputable photographer with a portfolio that aligns with your company's brand is time-consuming. It involves reviewing countless portfolios, reading reviews, and possibly conducting interviews.

Availability: Good photographers are often booked months in advance. Securing a slot that fits your company’s schedule can be a logistical nightmare.

3. Location Scouting:

Choosing a Location: Deciding between an on-site or studio shoot requires careful consideration. On-site shoots necessitate transforming a suitable space into a makeshift studio, which can be disruptive and require additional equipment.

Studio Logistics: If opting for a studio, arranging transportation for all employees to and from the location is a logistical challenge, especially for larger companies.

4. Preparing Employees:

Dress Code: Ensuring all employees understand and adhere to the dress code can be difficult. Miscommunications can lead to inconsistencies in the final photos, requiring reshoots.***

Grooming: Coordinating with makeup artists and hair stylists to ensure every employee looks their best is a demanding task. This involves additional scheduling and budgeting complexities.

5. The Photo Session:

Time Management: Managing the time during the shoot is crucial. Delays can cause significant disruptions, affecting productivity as employees wait for their turn.

Technical Issues: Equipment malfunctions, lighting problems, and other technical issues can arise, causing further delays and necessitating troubleshooting on the spot.

6. Post-Processing:

Selection: Sorting through hundreds of photos to select the best shots is a tedious and time-consuming process. This often involves multiple rounds of review and feedback from various stakeholders.

Editing: Professional editing is essential to ensure consistency and quality. This requires skilled retouchers and can be a lengthy process, especially if there are many employees.**

7. Distribution and Use:

Updating Profiles: Implementing the new headshots across all platforms, including the company website, intranet, social media, and marketing materials, is a meticulous task that requires precision and attention to detail.

Regular Updates: Headshots need to be updated regularly to reflect changes in personnel and ensure they remain current. This means repeating the entire process periodically, adding to the complexity and ongoing effort.

If this isn’t enough to dissuade you, let's talk about the COST!

The Cost - Company headshots

The cost of getting employee headshots can quickly escalate, especially when dealing with small or large teams. Here are some factors that contribute to the expense:

1. Recurring Costs: Regular Updates: Companies need to update headshots periodically to reflect changes in personnel and ensure the photos remain current. This means incurring these costs repeatedly, which can be a significant ongoing expense.

For small teams, while the per-person cost may be high, the overall expense is somewhat manageable. However, for larger teams, the cumulative cost can become astronomical. For instance, a team of 50 employees could easily result in costs upwards of $20,000 when factoring in all the variables mentioned. Therefore, careful budgeting and planning are essential to manage these expenses effectively.

Well by now we hope you understand what it takes to get company headshots done. BTW it’s even harder for remote teams. Now the final dragon and why we went through the pain to explain you the above.

BECAUSE THERE IS A BETTER WAY

Until now, we were short on technology that could help us in automating this to a level where it will be unbelievable. But now is the time to reap the benefits and bring the cost down by 90%. Too good to be true? Yeah, it is. Let us break it down for you.

Why AI company Headshots are the best alternative to traditional photoshoots

Advantages of the AI Headshot Solution

1. Cost Savings:

• Affordable Rates: At $30 per headshot, the cost is drastically lower than traditional photography services.
• No Hidden Fees: Elimination of additional costs related to makeup, hair styling, studio rentals, and transportation.

2. Time Efficiency:

• Quick Turnaround: AI processing significantly reduces the time needed to produce professional headshots, often delivering results within minutes.
• Minimal Disruption: Employees can upload photos and receive headshots without needing to leave their workplace, minimizing disruption to their daily activities.

3. Consistency and Quality:

• Uniform Look: The AI ensures all headshots have a consistent style, enhancing the professional image of the company.
• High Quality: Advanced algorithms enhance photos to professional standards, ensuring high-quality headshots for every employee.

4. Scalability:

• Large Teams: The solution easily scales to accommodate any number of employees, making it ideal for both small and large teams.
• Regular Updates: The process can be repeated as needed for new hires or updated headshots, maintaining current and professional profiles.

By leveraging an AI-powered headshot solution integrated into a company dashboard, businesses can optimize the headshot process, significantly reducing costs and administrative burden while ensuring high-quality, professional results for all employees.

Now let’s get into the 5 easy steps of AI headshots that is going to make the journey super easy for you.

Step-by-step process of getting AI company headshots

1. Employee Signup:

• Dashboard Access: Employees log into the company dashboard using their existing credentials.
• Profile Update: Each employee can access the headshot section and follow a guided process to upload their current photo.

2. Photo Submission:

• Upload Guidelines: Clear instructions and guidelines are provided to ensure employees submit high-quality photos (e.g., well-lit, neutral background).
• Automated Check: The system performs an automated quality check to ensure the uploaded photos meet the necessary criteria.

3. AI Headshot Generation:

• Processing: Once the photos are uploaded, the AI system processes them to generate professional-grade headshots. This includes enhancements such as background adjustment, lighting correction, and facial retouching.
• Consistency: The AI ensures uniformity across all headshots, maintaining a cohesive and professional look.

4. Review and Approval:

• Employee Review: Employees receive a preview of their AI-generated headshot and can request minor adjustments if needed.
• Final Approval: Once satisfied, employees approve their headshots, which are then automatically updated in the company’s directory and other relevant platforms.

5. Distribution and Use:

• Automatic Integration: The final headshots are integrated into the company’s website, intranet, marketing materials, and professional networking sites. For eg. on LinkedIn with your AI LinkedIn headshot
• Centralized Storage: All headshots are stored in a centralized database accessible through the company dashboard, ensuring easy access and management.

So finally, you need to remember 2 things

Conclusion

1. Cost Efficiency:

• Affordable Pricing: At $30 per employee, the AI headshot solution offers a substantial reduction in cost compared to traditional methods. For a team of 50 employees, this results in a total cost of $1,500, a fraction of the cost for professional photographers.
• No Additional Fees: There are no extra charges for makeup artists, hair stylists, studio rentals, or transportation.

2. Integration with Company Dashboard:

• Seamless Signup: Employees can easily sign up for their headshots through the company dashboard, which integrates seamlessly with existing HR systems.
• User-Friendly Interface: The dashboard provides a simple, intuitive interface for employees to upload their photos and receive AI-generated headshots.

Well, what do you think? Try us out, we do company headshots at Betterpic