AI Image Prompts for Professional Headshots
The difference between an amateur photo and a $300 headshot is lighting, lens, and styling — not the AI. These prompts encode all three so you get a confident, LinkedIn-ready portrait.
Tips
- Specify the lighting ("soft Rembrandt light", "softbox key light").
- Name a lens look ("85mm portrait lens, shallow depth of field").
- Lock wardrobe + background ("charcoal blazer, neutral gradient backdrop").
Example prompts
Corporate LinkedIn
Professional studio headshot of a woman in a tailored charcoal blazer, soft Rembrandt lighting with a subtle rim light, 85mm portrait lens, shallow depth of field, neutral grey gradient background, confident relaxed expression, photorealistic, sharp focus
Creative founder
Editorial headshot of a male startup founder in a crisp white shirt, warm natural window light, 50mm lens, soft bokeh of a bright modern office, approachable smile, magazine-cover quality, photorealistic
Outdoor warm
Outdoor professional headshot, golden-hour backlight, soft fill on the face, blurred green foliage background, 85mm shallow depth of field, natural skin texture, friendly confident expression