Could AI End Your Photography Career

Are you a professional photographer concerned about the impact of AI on your career? Will AI kill photography as we know it?

This thought-provoking video explores the ways in which artificial intelligence is already being used in the photography industry. From automated photo editing and facial recognition to the potential for AI to take over aspects of composition and lighting, we examine both the benefits and potential threats posed by AI to the photography industry specifically as it pertains to professional headshots and generating automated images for you clients.

Whether you're interested in the intersection of technology and art or looking to future-proof your career, join us as we explore the question: could AI end your photography career?

What will the impact be on portrait photographers? How will this impact fashion or wedding photographers? We don't know just yet, but time will tell.

// My Everyday Gear //

Camera Equipment //

Lighting //

Light Stands //

Modifiers //
*=Personal Fav

Misc //

Educational Links //

Follow Me //

[MikeHough-qo]

One of the key elements that wasn't mentioned is the ability of the photographer to put a client at ease, talk and laugh with them, and get the perfect shot. (body position, head position and most importantly the facial expression.) AI has to rely on what people send them.

[lindacarroll]

many will settle for "good enough" as you said. It is all about the customer experience. There will always be those who want the experience and will not settle for "good enough". We do need to be aware of technology trends and plan our business strategies to deal with them - how to differentiate ourselves from AI.

[SuperEddyf]

Thank you, Sal. I could argue that the advent of digital photography & Photoshop displaced those firmly ensconced in the industry doing dodging by hand under an enlarger with a film negative. This is another step in the evolution in my view. It then behoves me to find my way in this moving industry. As you say.. this will only get better.

[ChrisKryzanek]

Just imagine when your iPhone will do all of this built in. They’ve already done fake bokeh and the camera in them keeps getting better. If it can replace the background, fake lighting and do skin retouching that could take it to a scary level.

What if it has built in posing tips? What if the camera app would speak these to you while taking a selfie in real time? “Chin down” “Squinch” etc.

Like you said Sal, it’s only going to get better.

[antonioharris]

The scary part is I agree with literally everything you just said. It seems as if self fi filters look overly smooth and people will start thinking this is the standard. I personally am not concerned with AI replacing me as a headshot photographer. I think it can be a great tool that will help with my workflow. Plus, what I’ve seen so far is amazing, but looks a little “cartoonish”. Thanks Sal.

[vincentroy]

On a scale of 1 to 5, I'm probably at 5. AI will replace most photography. Events photography like wedding, photo journalism and sports will probably be less impacted. But within about a year or so, the level of precision of these software will be so close to reality. Most people won't higher photographers anymore. Why bother with all the downsides when you can have as good or better results instantly for a fraction of the cost. This is the sad truth. The photography industry is just one more that won't survive AI.

[brad_in_yyc]

I don't think AI has perfected skin textures yet. It all still looks like AI to me. I've seen plenty and haven't seen one that I can't pick out as AI. However, is it good enough, like you said? In some cases, totally.

I like you reinforced giving our clients an experience. I think for my ideal clients, that's where the key lies. Is in that experience.

[dt_kathybrown]

It is interesting to see, and you're right in that it's going to have an affect on the professional photography industry. It doesn't have to be negative however, most have been using some form of AI for years - it just wasn't branded as that. Thank you for sharing, really very interesting!

[gregshawphotography]

I think to the total cheapskate, this will totally satisfy them. But most of the pictures that I saw of you and Alissa look very computer-generated, and you can really tell. Most people want something truly authentic that’s what we have to really focus on.

[marktvcturner]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to create it. I don't do headshots very often so sites like this are of minimal concern to me. I shoot circus performers, musicians, actors and dancers and I am curious how that section of the photographic market will be affected down the track. Thank you!

[SentowJT]

Thanks Sal, great video. I think the bottom half of the headshot market will disappear due to the crappy work those photographers do. I think "stock" photography is gone. I don't think we understand how we'll be impacted by this technology. It's similar to the internet and the film/digital transition. "Fasten your seatbelt, it's going to be a bumpy night."

[michiuno]

Good video, Sal. And thanks for making the experiment. You're right, the results are not spot on but some may be close enough. And right again: this will only get better. Verdict: We're effed! Or are we... Here is my take:
Technology is constantly changing the environment in which we move as photographers. Skill is replaced by algorithm and equipment by software. Why invest in different color backgrounds when I can easily change it in post? Why travel with a large team to the Niagara Falls for a fashion shoot when you can ask AI to produce similar pictures for a fraction? It is exactly this kind of business that will eventually get shifted from photographer to software engineer. But there is passion in the business. I love to take photos that I can call mine, my memories, my work, my name. And there are and will always be people interested in your art "photographed by Salvatore Cincotta" - not imitated by AI. This is the reason why painters still paint eventhough they could more easily just take a picture.
Sal, you and I and all photographers out there: We create art. We do it for us, our family and whoever wants to see and appreciate it.
Eventually real pictures will carry some kind of identity that separates them from AI produced products. The faster this gets done, the faster we can find our niche again.

[hectorherrera]

That was a great video commentary. I believe certain niche areas of photography like headshots will get disrupted by this technology. Like you mentioned for a busy professional looking for a decent headshot for minimum time and $ invested this will be more than good enough, so if you are mainly a headshot photographer you should be worried. On the other hand areas of photography based on the experience like weddings, conceptual/artistic portraits and boudoir photography should not be challenged by AI any time soon.

[Photographer]

It is an interesting use of computer tech. However, a studio session with a professional photographer who understand lighting and how to get a client relaxed and give natural expressions will still be in demand. Also, software programs like PortraitPro can speed up post processing and give that client finished images in less that 24 hour turnaround. It's about setting yourself apart from the lesser competition. This AI software is just another "lesser" competition.

[josephchan]

Thanks for the video. Should be interesting next year.

[krazyk]

5…This will all but end head shot photography..
Event and destination photography will still be relevant… That’s when the “Experience “ part can never be taken away… But..Head shots …Say good bye…

[peteristvanphotography]

Thanks for sharing these perspectives,

[danielutaphoto]

2.5 is my level. some photographers will be more affected than others but the whole industry will have a major shift.

[livinginClevelandOhio]

Amazing. Personally, the photos to a layman look great! Certainly, good enough for a website/business card headshot. I hate to say it, I was considering updating my headshots for a quote of $350, and $29 is amazing... I'm that "other client" as this simply for work and not a wedding or family shot. Great vid.

[albertw]

I see AI as a tool to speed up post processing perhaps. But for the work i do like dancers and photos that have action in them, i don't think AI will replace. So, if i submit a headshot of a dancer, AI will come back with a photo of that dancer doing a jump, an arabesque, etc. I don't think AI can all of a sudden put the headshot on a body of another dancer that the AI thinks would fit. Maybe AI will work on certain applications but not others. Who knows?? My clients want the person-to-person experience, the human aspect of the process which AI can't re-create imho