05/29/2026
Can we talk about AI?
As a photographer, one of the hardest things lately has been watching people choose fake AI-generated memories over real ones.
I understand life is busy. Coordinating outfits, schedules, hair appointments, and getting everyone together can feel overwhelming. But there is something so special about capturing your family as they truly are in this season of life. The laughs, the chaos, the imperfect moments, the real connection — that’s what makes photographs meaningful years from now.
Seeing AI-generated Christmas portraits, fake family photos, maternity sessions, graduation photos, and even wedding images becoming trendy can honestly feel discouraging as an artist. Not because of technology itself, but because it replaces real memories with something manufactured. A fake sunset. A fake baby bump session. A fake graduation moment. It may look “perfect,” but it never actually happened.
And honestly, photographers also need to stop comparing themselves to everything they see online now too. So many images circulating on social media are heavily altered, AI-generated, or completely fake. Comparing your work, your creativity, or your sessions to something that isn’t even real will only steal your confidence and joy as an artist.
Photography is more than creating a pretty image. It’s preserving real moments, real emotions, and real people. One day, these photos become part of your family history.
And as a reminder — editing a professional photographer’s images or running them through AI without permission is illegal and against copyright. Those images are someone’s art, time, creativity, and livelihood.
Don’t let social media convince you that everything has to be flawless to be beautiful. Real life is beautiful enough. The messy, emotional, genuine moments will always matter more than something artificially created. 🤍
*Image shown as an example* from a wedding I second shot last year.. How easy it was for me to run it through Chat GPT to make it something it isn't. *couple did not do this* but I have seen more and more things like this. Its scary.
