Forget expensive studio shoots or awkward photo sessions — with ChatGPT-4o, you can generate striking, professional-looking headshots in minutes using just a selfie and a few smart prompts.
ChatGPT can be your AI photographer if you’re updating your LinkedIn or personal website, or want to experiment with creative portraits. While the results can be stunning, they sometimes veer into “doppelgänger” territory — the AI may not always capture the subtle fine lines or micro-expressions that make a face uniquely you. Still, it’s an impressive and accessible tool for experimenting with your professional image.
Here’s how to do it:
✅ Step 1: Take a Clear Photo of yourself. Use your phone camera in natural light. Make sure your face is well-lit and in focus. A neutral background helps.
✅ Step 2: Upload the Photo into ChatGPT-4o. Use the image upload tool and choose the photo you just took.
✅ Step 3: Copy-Paste These Prompts Here’s where the real magic happens. Each of these prompts brings out a different style — from classic corporate to cinematic noir.
Prompt 1: Corporate Headshot “Generate the corporate headshot of this person”
Perfect for LinkedIn or company bios. Clean, professional, simple. Prompt 2: Cinematic Street Scene “Cinematic overhead shot of me standing still on a brick city sidewalk, wearing a dark oversized blazer, motion-blurred crowd rushing past around me moody lighting 35mm film look. Shallow depth of field, sharp focus on me. Ratio portrait 4:3”
Think magazine cover meets moody cityscape. You are in the middle of a moving world.
Prompt 3: High-Drama close-Up “Generate a top-angle and close-up black and white portrait of my face, focused on the head facing forward. Use a 35mm lens look, 10.7K 4HD quality. Proud expression, water droplets on my face. In the deep black shadow background, only the face is visible, and it appears ultra-sharp. 4:3 ratio, with a 1/5 processing depth effect.”
Bold and dramatic, like an indie film poster.
Prompt 4: Metro Movement “Profile shot of me walking through a rushing metro station crowd. Everyone else is motion-blurred with trailing effects, while I remain in sharp focus with a serious expression, wearing a long trench coat. Cool blue tones dominate the scene, evoking a 35mm film aesthetic. Ambient lighting comes from train signs and station fixtures. Ratio: Portrait 4:3”
For a feeling of movement, solitude, and style.
Prompt 5: Refined Urban Fashion “Cinematic overhead shot of me standing with hands in my pockets on a brick city sidewalk, wearing a royal blue formal blazer. A motion-blurred crowd rushed past around me. Moody lighting 35mm film look. Shallow depth of field, sharp focus on me. Ratio portrait 4:3 no changing face”
A sharper, more formal version of Prompt 2 with rich colour and style.
Prompt 6: Raw Editorial “Create a high-end black and white portrait using my selfie. The face must remain exactly as in my original selfie — no editing, no retouching, no smoothing. I’m wearing a business suit. Preserve every facial detail and texture for a raw, authentic look. The lighting should be dramatic and studio-quality, using strong contrast and shadows to sculpt the features. Use a clean, blurred studio-style background with soft gradients or subtle texture. Frame the portrait vertically (9:16), centred composition, with ultra-realistic skin texture and depth. No digital makeup. The final result should look timeless, editorial, and emotionally powerful — suitable for a gallery or fashion magazine.”
If you want it real and raw, this one’s for you.
Prompt 7: Night Drive Introspection “Create a moody black and white night portrait of me (from my selfie) sitting inside a modern black car with the door open. I should have fair skin, medium-length wavy hair, and no glasses. My expression is serious and intense. I wear a black puffer jacket and light grey sweatpants. The city skyline with glowing lights is visible in the blurred background. Soft lighting from inside the car highlights my face subtly. The overall vibe is cinematic, stylish, and introspective.”
For an artful, nocturnal vibe — like a film still.
Real Talk: The Doppelgänger Effect Sometimes the generated image looks 90% like you… But just off enough to feel a bit uncanny. That’s because ChatGPT, like many AI image tools, often smooths, guesses, or fills in gaps, losing the tiny wrinkles, asymmetries, and skin texture that make you you. So don’t expect a perfect replica but a stylised reflection.
Bonus Tip: Add Context. Want better results? Add a bit more detail in your prompt — hairstyle, outfit, emotion, even time of day. The more specific you are, the more personalised the result.
Final Thoughts: AI isn’t replacing photographers just yet, but it’s changing the game for quick, creative, and surprisingly good portraits. For resume updates, profile pictures, or just experimenting with style and mood, it’s a powerful tool — right in your pocket.
So, next time you need a headshot? Maybe skip the studio. Just say: “Hey ChatGPT, make me look cinematic.”
