Can I use an AI headshot on my book?

Yes, as long as it looks like you and your publisher agrees. The portraits are built from about 10 of your own selfies, so they show your face. You get a full commercial license, which covers book jackets, press and catalogs.

What should an author wear for a headshot?

Something simple that fits your genre: a dark knit or blazer for literary and crime, lighter solid colors for memoir, romance and children's books. You choose outfits and backgrounds before we create your portraits.

Which background suits an author headshot?

Dark studio or black-and-white reads as literary; warm daylight or a soft outdoor blur reads as approachable; a blurred office suits business and non-fiction. You can pick several and decide with your publisher.

What resolution does a book jacket need?

Print needs a high-resolution file, typically 300 dpi at the printed size. Your portraits come in high resolution, so send the original file to your publisher rather than a downsized copy. For very large print such as posters, ask the printer to check the file first.

Can I use the same photo for press and events?

Yes. One consistent portrait across the jacket, author page, press kit and event bios is what makes you recognizable. The commercial license covers all of them.

What size should an Amazon or Goodreads author photo be?

Both show a square or portrait thumbnail and accept JPG or PNG. Your portraits are high resolution, so they stay sharp wherever the page crops them. Check each site's current upload guidelines before you upload.

Will readers recognize me from the photo?

They should. The portraits are built from your own selfies and you get 54–150 to choose from. Pick the ones that look like you at a signing, and skip any that look ten years younger.

How much do author headshots cost?

A photographer typically charges about $200–$400 for a headshot session in the US, according to Thumbtack's price guide. With us you pay once: $29 for 54 portraits, $45 for 96 or $69 for 150.

How fast do I get my photos?

Starter is ready in about 30 minutes, Basic in about 15 and Premium in about 10. At busy times it can take a little longer.

What if I'm not happy?

Email us within 7 days of purchase, before you've downloaded any photos, and we'll refund you – as long as your selfies follow our guidelines. See our terms.

What happens to my selfies?

Your photos are stored encrypted in the EU and we never share them. Your AI model is deleted automatically after 30 days, and you can delete your photos yourself at any time.

★★★★★ 4.7 on Trustpilot · 193 reviews

Authors & writers

An author headshot that fits the back cover

Upload about 10 selfies and get 54–150 professional portraits for your book jacket, Amazon author page, press kit and event bios in about 15 minutes. No studio, and you keep the look that fits your genre.

Full refund within 7 days if you haven't downloaded
One-time payment – no subscription
Delete your photos anytime

Trusted by over

18,000 Professionals And Teams

From selfie to jacket-ready

Real selfies on the left, the AI portraits on the right. Same person, with the light and framing of an editorial portrait.

Selfie

AI portrait

Selfie

AI portrait

Selfie

AI portrait

Selfie

AI portrait

Selfie

AI portrait

Selfie

AI portrait

See more examples →

Why authors need a real headshot

Publishers, event organizers and readers all ask for the same thing: one good photo of you, on short notice.

Your publisher will ask for it. Jacket copy, catalog pages and press releases need a high-resolution portrait, usually before the book is finished.
Readers meet you on the author page. Amazon, Goodreads and your own site show the photo next to every book.
Events want a photo yesterday. Festival programs, bookshop readings and podcasts ask for a headshot with the bio.
It should match your genre. A thriller writer and a children's author need different looks. You choose the backgrounds and outfits.
Refresh it for every book. Make new portraits from your selfies in about 15 minutes, without booking a photographer each time.

Where authors use their headshot

Book jacket and back cover
Amazon and Goodreads author pages
Publisher catalog and press kit
Festival, reading and podcast bios
Your website and newsletter
Social profiles and LinkedIn
Interviews and reviews

Get your headshots in minutes, not days

4 simple steps to your perfect headshot

Upload Photos

Just 10 clear selfies is enough. Focus on quality for best results.

Pick Style & Background

Pick your outfits and backgrounds from our collection.

AI Creates Your Headshot

Our model transforms your photos into stunning headshots.

Get Your Headshots

Download up to 150 high-quality images to use anywhere.

Tips for an author headshot

Match the genre. Dark studio and black-and-white for literary and crime; warm daylight for memoir, romance and children's books; a blurred office for business titles.
Keep it timeless. Solid colors and simple clothes age well. The photo may sit on a cover for years.
Ask about the crop. Jackets often use a small square or a tight head-and-shoulders crop. Pick portraits where your face fills the frame.
Have color and black-and-white. Publishers and papers ask for both. Choose both looks when you set up your portraits.
Make it look like you at events. Readers who meet you at a signing should recognize the person on the cover.
Keep the high-resolution file. Print needs it. Your portraits come in high resolution, so send the original, not a screenshot.

(Real reviews, real results)

What our customers say

We currently have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. Read here why our customers are happy with Headshots.so.

“Definitely worth the little time and effort to get such high quality pictures. If you're looking to upgrade to a professional profile picture without spending a ton on a photo shoot, this is for you.”

- Kurishil F

Read full review

“I just updated my headshot, and I've got to say — these came out sharp. Clean. Professional. No studio time, no awkward poses, no nonsense.”

- James B

Read full review

“Thank you to Headshots.so and Eleonora Milosevic, for offering a thoughtful solution that supports professional presence while respecting creative craft”

- Shelli B

Read full review

“I am an exceptionally hard to please customer and you created a beautiful experience! Looking for a new headshot? I highly recommend!!”

- Jen N

Read full review

“I highly recommend the team and product. I mean -- they even nailed the facial hair”

- Justin S

Read full review

Why choose Headshots.so

We know the cost of compromise

🇩🇰 Developed in Denmark

		Physical photoshoot Others
Price	$ 29	$ 200–400
Variety	50+ Headshots	3-5 Headshots
Satisfaction Guarantee	Money-back Guarantee	No Refunds
More Choices	9-25 Styles	1 Style
Save Time	15 min	1-2 Days + Planning
Comfort	Done From Home	Dressing Up + Driving + Small Talk

Pro-Level Headshots. Straightforward Pricing.

Give your online presence the upgrade it deserves.

Starter

$ 29

per person

54 headshots
9 different styles
3 edits
Ready In 30 Minutes

😎 78% pick this plan

Basic

$ 55

SAVE 18%

$ 45

per person

96 headshots
16 different styles
5 edits
Ready In 15 Minutes

Premium

$ 69

per person

150 headshots
25 different styles
8 edits
Ready In 10 Minutes

😎 Used by 750+ companies

$675

SAVE 15%

Total price: $38

$ 45

per user

15 people = 15% discount

Includes:

96 headshots per person
Clothes and background can match — you pick, or upload your own
5 edits per person
Your look on the whole team
100% GDPR compliant
Ease User Panel - Admin Controls & Invites
No scheduling. Ready in 15 min

Learn more about how teams work

We've Got You Covered

We're so confident in our results, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Real people

Need help or have a question? Real people are here for you — friendly, fast, and based in Denmark.

100% satisfaction guarantee

Still not satisfied? Let us know within 7 days, and we'll refund your purchase — 100% guaranteed.

Your data is secure

Your photos are encrypted, hosted in Europe. We will NEVER share your data or photos.

Author headshot questions

The #1 AI Headshot Generator for Professional Headshots

The future is here now. See for yourself!

Create your own professional headshots in just 15 minutes. Upload a few selfies and we'll use our artificial intelligence to create eerily good headshots of you.

(1,270,125 headshots already created)