You think about booking a photoshoot, but when you remember the price, the awkward posing, and trying to figure out what to wear, it just discourages you.
Most people want a great headshot for LinkedIn, a portfolio, or just to have something professional on hand but the whole process feels like more trouble than it’s worth.
The good news is that with just a few AI prompts, you can get the best professional headshots even better than what the typical photographer or studio will give you. Just a smart prompt, a few clicks, and boom, clean, polished photos that look like you hired someone.
AI-generated headshots are made using tools that understand what a professional photo should look like in terms of clean backgrounds, good lighting, and sharp focus. These tools analyse large datasets of professional headshots, facial features, lighting, background styles, and clothing to generate high-quality images that resemble professional photography. You just tell the AI what you want, and it generates something based on that. The interesting part is that some of these tools are completely free.
So whether you're in Nairobi, Kisumu, or a remote town, all you need is internet access and a good prompt to create a polished headshot for LinkedIn, your startup pitch deck, or your online portfolio.
Prompt 1 (Male): Ultra-photorealistic half-body portrait, EXACT FACIAL FEATURES of attached reference, short natural hair neatly trimmed, clean-shaven, confident composed expression with slight smile, direct eye contact, smart-casual outfit: crisp white mandarin-collar shirt tucked into tailored navy chinos, slim brown leather belt, dark olive green lightweight blazer with minimal structure, no tie, silver analog wristwatch left wrist, plain soft-grey backdrop with subtle gradient, evenly diffused natural daylight-style studio lighting, minimal shadows, sharp focus on face and clothing textures, editorial business-casual aesthetic suitable for tech founder or startup pitch profile.
Prompt 2 (Female): Sharp mid-shot portrait, EXACT FACIAL FEATURES of attached reference, medium-brown skin tone, minimal makeup with soft matte finish, confident composed expression with slight smile, direct gaze, wearing a structured navy blazer over a white blouse with V-neckline, gold stud earrings, plain warm-grey backdrop, clean soft lighting for natural skin detail, modern and elegant startup founder aesthetic, professional yet approachable.
Prompt 3 (Male): Corporate-style head, shoulders portrait with clean, natural skin tone and evenly lit face of attached reference, neat haircut, composed neutral expression or slight smile, wearing a crisp white button-up shirt under a dark navy or charcoal blazer, tie, plain background in light grey or soft white, soft studio lighting with minimal shadows, sharp detail on facial features and collar, for a professional LinkedIn or CV profile across business, tech, finance or consultancy sectors.
Prompt 4 (Female): Professional headshot from the shoulders up, natural skin with minimal makeup, hair neatly styled, soft, polite smile, wearing a structured blazer in camel over a neutral blouse (white, beige or soft blue), plain background with light gradient in off-white or grey, soft diffused lighting for even skin tone of EXACT ATTACHED REFERENCE, clear focus on eyes and face. Perfect for CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and job applications in formal or corporate fields.
Prompt 5 (Male): Relaxed mid-shot professional portrait, natural skin texture and lighting, short well-kept hairstyle or fade, neatly groomed beard or clean-shaven, calm focused expression, wearing a fitted crew-neck sweatshirt or casual zip-up hoodie, simple modern eyeglasses (optional), background shows a softly blurred home-office space with shelves, books, and natural elements like a plant or lamp, soft daylight from a window, laptop edge slightly visible, clear, grounded aesthetic that reflects the everyday life of a remote tech professional.
Prompt 6 (Female): Natural-light upper-body portrait, clean background with subtle depth, realistic skin detail across all tones, natural or protective hairstyle (e.g., twists, bun, straight, wavy), wearing a cozy knit top or smart casual blouse, soft earrings or no jewelry, minimal makeup or bare-faced look, warm smile or neutral focused expression, background includes a tidy home-office setup with soft ambient light, giving a balanced, approachable tech professional vibe, polished without being overly formal.
Prompt 7 (Male): Portrait-style mid-shot with natural skin detail and expressive eyes, thoughtful or calm expression, wearing a soft-textured jumper, collared shirt, or lightweight jacket, warm muted tones like olive, brown, or deep blue, background features soft blurred bookshelves or neutral wall with texture, lighting is natural and directional to create gentle shadows, classic author or thought-leader feel with a slightly editorial touch.
Prompt 8 (Female): Smooth editorial portrait, seated or standing mid-shot with clear focus on the face, natural hairstyle worn down, tied back, or in locs or braids, minimal makeup with a matte finish, soft serious or neutral expression, wearing an earth-toned blouse or sweater with soft drape, subtle jewellery like a ring or studs, background includes warm indoor tones or a shelf with books and plants, natural diffused lighting with soft shadows, perfect for book covers, articles, or professional author bios.
Prompt 9 (Male): Artistic mid-shot portrait with natural skin tone of attached reference and textured detail, wearing a slightly oversized patterned shirt or muted-colour turtleneck with layered accessories like thin chain, creative studio or plain backdrop with a splash of colour (terracotta, sage, or off-white), soft side lighting with natural shadows, casual and expressive mood that reflects creative personality without trying too hard.
Prompt 10 (Female): Expressive portrait from the shoulders up, featuring clear skin of attached reference and natural hairstyle, soft confident gaze or slight smile, wearing a bold or textured top, light statement earrings, backdrop can include a subtle studio space with moodboards, or a softly coloured plain background, side-lit with a warm tone to bring out depth, ideal for designers, illustrators or creatives wanting to show personality with professionalism.
Prompt 11 (Male): Confident mid-shot portrait with professional polish, with clean lighting across the face, well-groomed appearance of hair and beard, direct eye contact with a relaxed but assured expression, wearing a smart dark blazer over a high-quality T-shirt or open-collared shirt in muted tones (charcoal, navy, olive), no distracting patterns, background in warm grey or textured stone, side lighting with subtle contrast to bring depth and definition, typical for high-visibility profiles in media, public speaking, or interviews.
Prompt 12 (Female): Editorial-style portrait from mid-shoulders up, smooth skin texture with natural glow, hairstyle worn in a professional but expressive way (sleek bun, curls, braids or straight hair), confident poised expression with a soft smile or neutral face, wearing a modern blazer or structured blouse in solid rich colours like deep plum, forest green or ivory, subtle drop earrings or gold studs, background with a clean editorial feel; think off-white or a soft concrete texture, natural lighting with slight directional shadow, perfect for press coverage, speaker bios, and high-impact media features.
Prompt 13 (Male): Mid-shot portrait with a polished but approachable look, clear natural skin tone and relaxed posture, calm and focused expression with gentle eye contact, wearing a lightweight blazer over a crisp open-collared shirt or fine knit jumper in neutral tones (stone, navy, or deep green), background with soft depth; co-working space or minimal plain backdrop, soft daylight-style lighting from the side, reflecting a modern independent professional who works with a range of clients.
Prompt 14 (Female): Natural light headshot from the chest up, balanced skin tones with soft texture and a confident, engaging expression, hair styled naturally in a bun, waves, short cut or braids; minimal makeup for a clean, fresh look, wearing a well-cut blouse or relaxed blazer in earth or pastel tones (sage, blush, taupe), background with subtle depth, either blurred bookshelf, studio wall, or light textured neutral surface, even lighting across the face for clarity and warmth.
Prompt 15 (Male): Ultra-sharp editorial-style academic portrait, facial features exactly as in reference image, skin tone and texture preserved, hair in braided crown, high bun or loose natural curls, minimal makeup with soft matte finish, direct but gentle gaze, slight smile or thoughtful neutral expression, wearing a forest green blouse with subtle collar detail and long sleeves, thin gold-framed eyeglasses, textured off-white background with warm gradient, softly diffused window light (daylight white balance), crisp shadows under chin and collarbone, subtle gold stud earrings, slight paper texture or books visible in soft background blur, 105mm f/2.8 lens depth, modern, intellectual and credible visual tone for speaker profiles, academic bios, or media kits.
Prompt 16 (Female): Ultra-sharp editorial-style academic portrait, facial features exactly as in reference image, skin tone and texture preserved, hair in braided crown, high bun or loose natural curls, minimal makeup with soft matte finish, direct but gentle gaze, slight smile or thoughtful neutral expression, wearing a forest green blouse with subtle collar detail and long sleeves, thin gold-framed eyeglasses, textured off-white background with warm gradient, softly diffused window light (daylight white balance), crisp shadows under chin and collarbone, subtle gold stud earrings, slight paper texture or books visible in soft background blur, 105mm f/2.8 lens depth, modern, intellectual and credible visual tone for speaker profiles, academic bios, or media kits.
Prompt 17 (Male): Ultra-realistic portrait, exact facial features of reference image, warm expression with slight smile, clear skin texture with natural tone, short clean-cut hair or low fade, clean-shaven or short boxed beard, dressed in a smooth light-blue button-down shirt with no tie, slightly rolled sleeves (casual touch), branded lanyard with ID badge partially visible, neutral grey background with subtle gradient, high-key softbox lighting evenly illuminating face, gentle catchlight in eyes, shallow depth of field with slight foreground blur at collar, headset resting around neck or placed on desk edge (optional), 85mm lens look, sharp fabric details and natural skin finish, customer support or service team member aesthetic.
Prompt 18 (Female): Softly lit mid-shot portrait, accurate facial structure and skin tone based on reference, warm approachable expression with a subtle smile, hair styled in a tidy bun, twist-out, or shoulder-length straight style tucked behind ears, wearing a soft pink or pastel blue collared blouse, optional lightweight headset with mic resting over ears, small stud earrings, clear badge or ID tag on lanyard visible at chest, background a clean modern office blur or light-grey seamless backdrop, evenly diffused daylight-balanced lighting, slight catchlight in eyes, high-resolution texture on fabric and hair, crisp but gentle rendering, 70-105mm lens framing, ideal for showcasing warmth, clarity, and professionalism in client-facing roles.
Prompt 19 (Male): Editorial-style upper-body portrait, facial features matching reference exactly, natural skin tone with visible texture, styled short fade or curly afro top, subtle stubble or clean-shaven, confident expression with relaxed smile or smirk, direct eye contact, wearing a black crew-neck t-shirt under an open oversized khaki utility jacket, layered chain necklace, minimal rings or bracelet optional, plain warm-toned background (soft beige or muted terracotta), slightly grainy texture for a lifestyle photo aesthetic, lighting is bright and directional with light wrap shadows, depth of field subtly blurs outer shoulders, crisp detail on fabric folds and facial lines, 85mm f/2.2 editorial lens look, personal brand aesthetic.
Prompt 20 (Female): Vibrant editorial portrait cropped just below the shoulders, face matching reference exactly, smooth skin texture and natural glow, hair in a sleek high puff, shoulder-length curls, or jumbo twists styled with volume, soft glam makeup with glossy lips or bold liner (based on preference), confident gaze with slight smile, wearing a statement blouse in burnt orange, electric blue or patterned fabric with structure, background in matte neutral colour (sand, mauve, light sage) or soft-textured wall, clean gold hoops or minimal jewellery, lighting is high-key with shadow fall-off to one side, sharp focus on eyes, hairline, and fabric texture, 70-105mm lens compression, bold yet polished.
If you’re on a budget or just want to experiment, some excellent free AI-powered tools can help you generate professional-looking headshots with minimal effort. Most let you customise styles, backgrounds, and expressions, often using your own photo as a reference.
Gemini
An AI-powered tool that creates high-quality professional headshots with customisable features. Gemini focuses on photorealistic results suitable for various professional needs.
Easemate AI
A fast and intuitive platform for generating and editing headshots, allowing you to adjust expressions, lighting, and styles quickly for polished results.
ChatGPT
While ChatGPT doesn’t generate images directly, it’s a great assistant for crafting detailed prompts and creative ideas to use with other AI image generators, helping you get the perfect headshot.
Freepik
Freepik offers a vast collection of free and premium stock images, including professional headshots and editable templates. It’s great for finding inspiration or base images you can customise with AI tools.
Fotor
Fotor provides AI-driven photo editing and enhancement features, including tools specifically designed for retouching and improving headshots. It’s ideal for polishing your images quickly and easily.
Artbreeder
A popular free tool that allows you to blend and tweak facial features easily. While it’s more artistic than photorealistic, it’s great for creating unique, polished portraits, especially if you want a stylised look.
Generated Photos
Offers a free tier with a library of AI-generated faces you can customise. It’s easy to use for professional headshots and provides high-quality, realistic images. Great for profiles or placeholders.
Pixray
An open-source AI image generator that can be prompted to create portraits. While it requires some experimentation to get the best results, it’s free and quite flexible.
Deep Dream Generator
Though more known for artistic filters, you can create interesting headshots by uploading your photo and applying subtle AI enhancements.
Icons8 AI Face Generator
Generates photorealistic faces from scratch with options to adjust age, gender, and emotion. Useful if you don’t have a reference photo but want a professional look.
Thanks to generative AI, anyone in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or anywhere in Kenya can create polished, high-quality headshots with just a few clicks and the right prompts. So go ahead, try out these prompts and tools!
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