Residency Headshot: AI, Studio or Phone Photo?
Applicants preparing a residency headshot for MyERAS have three realistic options: a photo a friend takes on a phone, a session with a local photographer, or an AI-generated set. None is automatically right. This page lays out the tradeoffs and the one question that matters most.
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The question that matters: does it look like you?
The AAMC says the ERAS photo is most often used by programs to help identify applicants when they report for an interview. LinkedIn gives parallel advice for profile photos: pick a photo that gives people a clear idea of what you would look like if they met you tomorrow. Whatever you choose, it should be a recent, faithful likeness. A photo that is polished but does not look like you defeats its purpose.
Does the AAMC address AI-generated photos?
AAMC’s published photo requirements cover dimensions, resolution, file size, file type and a centered face. We have not seen them mention AI-generated images either way, and we cannot speak for how any individual program or your dean’s office views them. If you plan to use an AI-generated photo, ask your advisor or the programs you care about, and keep the likeness realistic.
Side-by-side
| Option | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Phone photo taken by a friend | Free, fast, and clearly you. LinkedIn suggests having someone else take the photo rather than a selfie. | Lighting and background take effort; results vary widely. |
| Studio or local photographer | Professional lighting and direction. LinkedIn notes a professional photographer typically costs between $200 and $400 for a LinkedIn headshot. | Cost, scheduling, and travel during a busy period; you still need to resize to the ERAS limits. |
| AI headshot set (DoctorHeadshots) | 10+ headshots in 10 minutes from 8–20 phone photos, one-time $29. | AI output is not a photograph of you; review every image for accuracy, and confirm acceptability with your programs. No guarantee of acceptance by any third party. |
Whichever you choose, finish the technical steps
- Crop to 2.5 x 3.5 in. at 150 dpi, JPG/JPEG or PNG, 150 KB or smaller, face centered (AAMC).
- Check the final file size after compressing.
- Compare it to a recent unedited photo of yourself. If a colleague would hesitate to recognize you, pick another image.
Frequently asked questions
- Is an AI headshot allowed for ERAS?
- AAMC lists technical requirements and we have not seen them address AI-generated images; check AAMC’s current requirements. Ask your advisor or the programs you are applying to, and choose an accurate likeness.
Sources
Related guides
This guide is general educational information, not legal, credentialing or employment advice. Rules and requirements are set by the organizations named above and can change; always check the current version with them. Doctor Headshots images are AI-generated, and we do not guarantee acceptance by any third-party platform, employer or credentialing body (see our Terms). Doctor Headshots is not affiliated with AAMC or LinkedIn. Published by AdvancedCare USA Inc.