Alt text for photos of people and headshots
Describing people is where alt text needs the most judgement. Describe what is visible and relevant; avoid guessing identity, age, race or gender unless it is known and relevant to the content.
Rules for this kind of image
- Headshot next to a visible name: alt="" or a short detail the photo adds.
- Named people: only name them if the page or caption identifies them.
- Event photos: action and setting first.
- If appearance is the point (a fashion shoot, a story about representation), describe it with care and the subject's own terms where known.
5 examples, weak vs better
Headshot beside bio with name · Team page
Weak
headshotBetter alt="" (empty)
Name is in the adjacent text.
Headshot as the only identification · Speaker grid with no visible names
Weak
speakerBetter Dr Amara Okafor15 charspasses checks
The photo is the only label, so the name is the alt.
Team at a whiteboard · Careers page
Weak
teamBetter Four colleagues sketching a product flow on a whiteboard56 charspasses checks
Shows what working there looks like.
Speaker on stage · Event recap
Weak
conferenceBetter Dr Okafor presenting to a full auditorium at the closing keynote64 charspasses checks
Name from the caption, plus action and setting.
Volunteer handing out food · Charity annual report
Weak
volunteerBetter Volunteer handing a grocery bag to a visitor at the Saturday food bank70 charspasses checks
Action and programme, no assumptions about the people.
Have your own images? Draft alt text with the AI alt text generator, then edit it using these patterns.
Questions people ask
Should alt text describe race or gender?
Only when it is relevant to the content and known, ideally in the person's own terms. Otherwise describe action, setting and expression.
Will AI identify people in my photos?
Our generator is instructed not to name people unless their name is visible in the image. Add names yourself from your caption or records.