The question of whether to include a photo on a CV is one of the most common for UK job seekers. Let's be clear: for the vast majority of professions in the United Kingdom, the standard professional etiquette is to **not** include a photo on your CV. This practice is in place to help companies adhere to anti-discrimination laws and avoid unconscious bias during the initial screening process. Recruiters want to focus purely on your skills, experience, and qualifications. However, this does not mean your professional image is unimportant. In 2025, it's a certainty that recruiters will look you up online. Therefore, the real place for your professional photo is on your LinkedIn profile, which you should link to from your CV. This is where our service becomes essential. While the photo stays off the document, having a polished, professional AI-generated headshot on your LinkedIn profile ensures that when a recruiter does their due diligence, they are met with an image of a confident, competent, and serious candidate.
See the Transformation
A Professional Image, Reimagined
- 16+ distinct, studio-quality portraits
- 4K resolution ready for print & web
- Results in under 30 minutes
- Full commercial license included
- GDPR-compliant and secure
Traditional vs. AI
| Aspect | Traditional | AI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £300+ | £17 |
| Time | ~5 hours | ~30 mins |
| Variety | 2-3 photos | 16+ photos |
"I was applying for graduate schemes and was unsure about adding a photo to my CV. After reading up, I left it off the document but used this service to get a brilliant photo for my LinkedIn profile. A recruiter who headhunted me specifically mentioned that my professional and polished profile stood out. It's the perfect approach for the UK market."— Tom Allen, Recent Graduate
Simple, Fast, and Professional
- 1. Upload 8-12 Selfies
- 2. Start AI Generation
- 3. Download Your Portfolio
Frequently Asked Questions
So, should I definitely not put a photo on my CV in the UK?
Correct. For most industries in the UK (e.g., finance, law, tech, marketing), you should not put a photo on your CV. This helps prevent unconscious bias and keeps the focus on your qualifications. The only common exceptions are for roles where your appearance is a key part of the job, such as for actors or models.
If I don't use a CV photo, how do I make a good first impression?
You make the impression via your LinkedIn profile. It is standard practice for recruiters to view the LinkedIn profile of interesting candidates. Your CV should be clean and professional, and it should contain a hyperlink to your complete LinkedIn profile which, in turn, must feature a high-quality, professional headshot.
What makes a good photo for a LinkedIn profile that is linked from a UK CV?
The ideal photo is a clean head-and-shoulders shot where you look directly at the camera. You should have a confident, approachable expression, be dressed in smart attire, and be set against a simple, non-distracting background. This is precisely the type of trustworthy and professional image our AI service is designed to create.
About the Author
The AI Headshot Team are experts in AI image generation, helping thousands of UK professionals create their perfect online presence.
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