How Are AI Tools Changing Photography as We Know It?

Christal Marshall
1 day ago
2 min read

I recently asked over 55 photographers what they consider “AI” in photography.Surprisingly, most of them didn’t mention things like text-to-image generators — they talked about masking tools, object removers, and content-aware fill features.

It made me stop and think: what exactly counts as AI in photography?Because honestly — I use it every single day.

One of my biggest passion projects right now is magical photo sessions for kids — especially those with special needs.Not long ago, someone from my church came up to me and said her son, who has MS and uses a wheelchair, wanted to feel like a superhero. I asked him who his favorite was — he said Spider-Man.We’re setting up a session where, through AI editing, I can remove the wheelchair from the photo and place him in an epic Spider-Man pose so he can see himself as the hero he already is.

A few years ago, that would’ve taken me hours — finding overlays, cityscapes, spider webs, lighting effects — all done manually.Now, with AI masking and generation tools, I can type in “New York skyline with webs and sunset lighting”, and I have a great base image in less than a minute.That gives me time to focus on what actually matters — the art, the emotion, and the storytelling.

I also use AI for my social media clients — small coffee shops and local businesses — to write captions, schedule content, and brainstorm new ideas. It saves hours every week.

Even in my tiny 500-square-foot garage studio, AI allows me to expand backdrops, clean up the space, or add props digitally instead of spending hundreds on physical sets and lighting. I use tools like Markey AI that generate months of branded content in just an hour.

Of course, not everything is perfect.I’ve definitely seen a drop in photography bookings, as some people opt for AI-generated headshots or portraits. That’s a real concern — and one we’ll all have to navigate as creatives.

Still, I see AI as a power tool, not a replacement.Like how my husband, a contractor, can build with a hammer — but gets the job done faster with an air compressor. Both methods take skill. Both make art. One just saves time.

I don’t use AI to reshape bodies or alter identities — that’s my ethical line. But I’ll happily use it to add clouds, glitter, or a fantasy castle if it brings someone’s imagination to life.

Ultimately, I believe AI is here to stay — and it’s up to us as photographers to decide how to use it with integrity, creativity, and care.