Should you get AI headshots or hire a professional photographer? Compare cost, time, quality, and results. The answer might surprise you.
AI headshots win overall. Secta costs $49 vs $300-1000+ for a photographer, delivers results in 1 hour vs 4+ hours, generates 300+ photos vs 20-50, and includes unlimited editing. Quality is virtually identical. Professional photographers are only worth it for highly specific branding needs.
| Total Investment | $49-99 | $300-1000+ |
| Setup/Travel Costs | None | $50-200+ |
| Retouching/Editing | Included | +$100-500 |
| Cost Per Photo | $0.15-0.50 | $5-50 |
| Processing Time | 30-60 minutes | 2-4 weeks |
| Total Timeline | 1-2 hours | 3-8 hours + travel |
| Rescheduling Options | Instant | Limited |
| Number of Photos | 100-300+ | 20-50 |
| Location Required | Your home | Studio/travel |
| Style Options | 90+ | Whatever photographer offers |
| Post-Shoot Editing | Unlimited (Remix) | Limited |
| Outfit Changes | AI-generated variations | Manual changes |
| Background Choices | Unlimited | Studio only |
| Retakes | Free unlimited | +$100-500 |
| Photo Realism | Very high | Highly realistic |
| Consistency | Excellent | Varies by photographer |
| Professional Look | Studio-grade | Studio-grade |
| Diversity of Results | 100-300+ unique looks | 20-50 shots |
| LinkedIn Accepted | Yes (widely) | Yes |
| Corporate Use | Yes | Yes |
| Legal/Professional Fields | Yes (with disclosure) | Yes |
| Portfolio/Website | Yes | Yes |
$49 vs $300-1000+. You save $250-950 while getting 6-15x more photos. No travel costs, no retouching fees, no rush charges.
1 hour end-to-end vs 4+ hours with a photographer (driving, styling, shooting, waiting). Perfect for urgent LinkedIn updates or quick business needs.
Photographers give 20-50 photos. AI gives 300+. Guaranteed to find multiple photos you love, plus variations for different platforms.
Edit lighting, backgrounds, outfits, expressions after generation. Photographers charge $100-500+ for significant changes.
Industry-specific styles for lawyers, therapists, realtors, doctors, and more. Photographers offer one style.
AI produces consistent, professional results every time. Photographer quality varies wildly based on skill and experience.
Professional photographers are worth the cost only if:
For 95% of professionals, AI headshots are the better choice.
Get 300+ professional headshots in 1 hour for just $49. Try free with 5 sample photos. No credit card required.
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