How to create an AI LinkedIn headshot with this viral TikTok trend

Key Takeaways

• The Remini app, popularized by TikTok, lets you use selfies to generate AI headshots.
• With many selfies as a base, the app can generate a number of different professional photos.
• Remini offers a free trial but costs $10 weekly; it's a decent option for simple headshots, although real photos are still very effective.

The weirdness of TikTok trends is actually only matched by how short-lived they are. Some things, like fair checks, are permanent, but others — I'm thinking more about the brief flash in the pan that was a sea shanty — aren't really designed to go the distance. The trend of using AI to generate professional headshots for LinkedIn was viral in 2023, and it's not nearly as popular as it used to be, but there's still some craziness to the trend.

In my opinion, maintaining a LinkedIn profile is one of the most annoying and demeaning aspects of being a working professional. Promoting your achievements, pruning your work experience, and presenting yourself professionally with a well-taken photo doesn't come naturally to everyone. If you have the ability to take some of that work off your plate, I don't know why you wouldn't consider it. If you're looking to save money on headshots for your LinkedIn profile, here's how to get started.

Which app should you use to create an AI headshot?

One app has proven to be very popular

The most popular way to generate an AI LinkedIn headshot, at least based on TikTok, is an app called Remini. The app has many different AI-powered photo editing features, but we're particularly focused on its ability to turn ordinary selfies into polished headshots. It started during the AI ​​headshot mainly because of this TikTok video made by a user named Grace (@gracesplace).

With an impressive 52.5 million views (as of July 2024) and the caption, “Using this trend to get a new LinkedIn,” Grace's video is a great example of the variety of results you can get from Remini, and how much. produces based on the difference between the original selfie and the improved versions of Remini.

How to create an AI headshot for LinkedIn

Make sure you have several different selfies to choose from

To create your own headshots you'll need your phone handy and a few selfies to choose from if you're looking for a larger variety of AI-generated headshots. Once you've set everything up, it should only take a few minutes to generate some usable options.

To get started, you need a Remini account:

1. Download the file Remini app. It is available on both iOS and Android.
2. Open the application and press the button “start” button.
3. On the registration page, opt in for a week-long free trial. If you don't cancel after that week, it will cost you $10 per week.
4. Answer a few questions to complete your basic profile.
5. Let Remini say access your photos.

Then, to create your headshots:

1. Open the Remini app.
2. Tap “AI Graphics” located at the bottom of the main screen.
3. Select the style you want and tap “Produce my pictures.”
4. If you are asked to specify your gender, answer. Apart from that, upload 8 to 12 good, well-lit selfies.
5. Wait a moment; the app will generate your image. For real-time updates, make sure your notifications are turned on.
6. Once done, you will be presented with a variety of different images. Swipe, and save the versions you prefer.

These headshots will be tagged below, but if you're happy with them, you can use them for other professional platforms, personal websites, or anywhere you'd like to put your professional foot forward.

No AI-generated image is flawless

More inspiration than the final product

Remini excels in restoring and enhancing old or low quality photos. Its ability to produce headshots is more of a mixed bag. Whether or not headshots will work for you will depend on your preferences and the images you use to create them.

I think the app did a good job of producing photos that look like me, but they're not very natural. The eyes and mouth are lifelike because that seems to be what Remini pulled directly from the selfies, but everything else is a little too smooth to feel awkward. The app is also good at matching hairstyles in addition to seeing if you have short or long hair and selecting options for a model that matches your basic look. It's something you'll have to try to get the look you want.

Considering you can get at least one quality headshot by posting a few photos, Remini has a lot of promise, even if it's not as available as it used to be. The $10 weekly fee is a lot, and I think you'll still get more professional results from real photography, but Remini is still fun to try if you get the free trial, get the headshots you want, and cancel your subscription.

FAQ

Q: Are there alternatives to Remini?

Yes. There are some Remini methods for creating LinkedIn profile pictures using AI. Some of the most popular methods include: Try It On AI and AI SuitUp. Like Remini, both of these options have their drawbacks, but if you want to save time and money, they're pretty good..