Do I Use AI to Edit Your Photos?

AI is everywhere right now, including photography. And I know this is an important question for some parents when choosing a photographer:

Do you use AI to edit my photos?

My answer, for now, is no. Well… mostly no.

I do use some AI-powered tools for very specific fixes, but I am not taking your entire session and dropping it into AI to edit your faces, bodies, expressions, or likeness.

Honestly? I tried.

I wanted to see if it was capable. I mean work smarter not hard- right? It just isn’t quite there for the way I photograph.

So What Do I Use AI For?

There are a few situations where AI is incredibly helpful and saves time. But especially when I’m using it for something that has nothing to do with changing a person.

For example, A random trash can in the background?

YES.

If we just created an amazing image and there is a trash can sitting behind you, AI can be the easiest and fastest way to clean that up.

I’ll use an AI-powered removal tool in Lightroom and apply it specifically to that object. I’m not changing the people in the photograph. I’m just getting rid of the thing that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

That’s a win.

This year I removed telephone poles, rat boxes, trash, signage, other people in the background.

Your kid blinked?

This is where I draw the line.

Let’s say I have an amazing image of your three kids together, but one of them has their eyes closed.

I’m not going to have AI generate new eyes or a new face for your child.

Instead, I’ll go back through that little series of images and find a photograph where their eyes are open. Then I’ll use Photoshop to swap just that part of the image.

Is it more time-consuming? Oh yeah. But, worth it.

It’s still your child, your expression and your actual photograph.

What About Acne?

This one is a little different.

If your senior has a few pimples or a temporary blemish, I’ll typically use the spot/healing tools in Lightroom.

Those tools essentially take a clean area from your own skin and use it to cover the blemish. So I’m not creating a new face. I’m cleaning up something temporary.

If there are a LOT of blemishes to edit across a large gallery, there are tools that can do that job more efficiently with better results, and sometimes I’ll use them.

But again, I’m still working with your actual face.

I’m not changing your features, reshaping you or turning you into an AI version of yourself.

Other things I have removed on your body… like grass on your knee, kid’s temporary tattoos, watch tans, hanger ties, etc.

Why Don’t I Just Let AI Edit the Whole Session?

Because my sessions aren’t really designed for that kind of editing.

I’m moving. We’re chasing kids. We’re changing locations. The light is changing.

Someone is laughing. Someone is running. Someone is getting a little closer to Mom. Then Dad picks up the toddler. Then we move into the shade.

Every image is a little different.

And that’s exactly how I want it. Movement and light is always changing- this is real life.

Each photograph needs its own little magic touch.

AI can be amazing when you’re shooting the same setup, in the same studio, with the same lighting, over and over again.

But that’s not how I photograph families.

And when I tried using AI to speed up my editing, I found myself going back into image after image to fix things that the AI didn’t quite get right.

At that point, I’m not saving time.

Editing a Full Session Takes 6–9 Hours

Yep. 6–9 hours. (not including uploading and culling)

It would be pretty amazing if I could just pop your whole session into an AI microwave, press a button and have my finished gallery come out the other side.

Life changing, I would love that.

But so far, I haven’t found a system that gives me the outcome I want without a LOT of additional work.

Maybe someday. Maybe if I shot the same set-up, in the same studio, with the same studio light? But that aint me right now.

AI is getting better all the time, and I’m certainly not against using technology when it genuinely makes my job better.

But right now, I still want to be the one making those decisions.

My photography just doesn’t have template. It has decisions I need to make.

So, Do I Use AI to Edit Your Photos?

A little. But not in the way you might be thinking.

I use it for things like removing an unwanted object from the background or occasionally helping with a tedious cleanup task.

I don’t use AI to change your face, your child’s face, your body or your expressions.

For me, photography is about documenting you as you actually are, the connection, the personalities, the little things that make your family yours.

And I’m still pretty happy doing that the old-fashioned way.

Want to Know More About What It’s Like to Work With Me?

If you’re looking for a Marietta or Roswell family photographer who wants your photos to feel natural, connected and genuinely like your family, I’d love to chat. Let’s get you booked.