Why We Use AI For Our Photography — And Why You Might Consider It Too… Sometimes
AI isn’t a replacement for photography — it’s an expansion of how we create images today. Here’s why we use it, and why you might want to consider it too.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve received a handful of thoughtful messages asking why we emphasize AI so heavily in our photographic work. They weren’t critical, exactly — just curious. And that’s fair. After all, photography is undergoing yet another round of evolution, and it’s not surprising that some folks are still deciding where they stand on AI tools.
We’ve been at this for a while. Our photography journey began in the 1970s, long before digital was even a concept. We shot with view cameras, processed black-and-white film in the darkroom, and made prints by hand. But even back then, we were drawn to experimentation — whether with alternate processes or new materials. So for us, AI is just another step in that progression. It’s not a replacement for photography. It’s a continuation of it.
Literal vs. Expressive — And the Space Between
When we worked in commercial and architectural photography, we often had to balance two goals: accurate representation and artistic interpretation. Clients needed literal images of their products, interiors, or buildings, but they also wanted something more—a photograph that conveyed a mood or told a story.
We marketed ourselves as fine art photographers who happened to enjoy commercial assignments. Today, we’ve left the commercial work behind and focus entirely on creating art, both for ourselves and for our clients’ spaces. That shift has given us more freedom—freedom to experiment, stylize, and explore.
We now see the camera as a sketchpad and digital tools — including AI — as our palette. That mindset has made all the difference in how we approach image-making today.
AI Is Already In Your Workflow (Even If You Don’t Know It)
One point we try to make clear in our courses and writing is that AI isn’t just about image generators. If you’re using tools like Photoshop’s Generative Fill or Sky Replacement, you’re already using AI. Programs like Topaz Photo AI, Lightroom’s enhanced masking, or even your phone’s auto-enhancement modes all rely on machine learning. It's part of most modern workflows, whether you're chasing realism or something more stylized.
But when people ask us about AI, they’re usually not asking about Photoshop. They want to know why we use tools like Midjourney, Leonardo AI, and DALL-E, platforms often associated with "AI art" rather than “true photography."
Why We Use Generative AI — And What It’s Actually For (to us)
We understand the hesitation. These platforms can create entire scenes from scratch, which to many photographers feels like stepping outside the bounds of what photography is. We don’t disagree. When used that way, these tools absolutely blur the line between photography and illustration.
But that’s not how we use them.
We use Midjourney, Leonardo AI, and other generators as creative tools built on top of our photography. In our workflows, these platforms aren’t image creators — they’re image transformers. Everything starts with our own photographs, and we guide the AI with reference images, style cues, and specific visual goals.
Let’s say we’ve photographed a tree trunk because we loved the pattern and texture, but we felt the image didn’t carry quite enough presence on its own. That’s where AI comes in. We’ll feed that original image into a generator with specific reference prompts — maybe instructing the AI to shift the color palette, emphasize wood grain, or apply a more painterly style.
The result is something that retains the structure and intent of the original photograph, but with added expression and atmosphere. It’s not about realism — it’s about resonance.
Photography vs. Image-Making
All of this raises a bigger question: Do we create work for the sake of photography or because we enjoy making images?
For us, it’s the latter.
Photography has always been our starting point, but what drives us is the process of building images — crafting something meaningful, memorable, or simply visually satisfying. And that’s why we’ve embraced AI image generators not as shortcuts or gimmicks, but as extensions of our creative toolkit.
Just like photographers once debated color film vs. black and white or digital vs. analog, we’re now looking at another new tool on the bench. It doesn’t replace what came before, but it does open up new possibilities.
A Note on Reference Images and Creative Control
We’ll end with this: when we use AI generators, we don’t just type in a prompt and wait to see what pops out. Our image transformations are directed — often quite specifically — by our own photographs. The generators allow us to input reference images, style images, or both, and fine-tune how much influence each of those elements has on the output.
This is where things get really interesting. We’re no longer limited by what we can photograph in perfect light or conditions. We can reinterpret a basic capture into something stylized, abstracted, or thematic and still maintain control over form and tone. We can test variations, explore new textures, or introduce materials like fabric, glass, or paint digitally in ways that would be time-consuming or impossible by hand.
And sometimes, we just like the look.
Let us know what you think in the comments. We’re not suggesting every photographer should use AI the way we do. But if your goal is to make memorable images — not just document reality — then it’s worth exploring what these tools can offer.
We’re exploring all aspects of how AI intersects with photography — from editing tools and creative transformations to ethical concerns, platform comparisons, and practical workflows. Whether you’re an artist, a working photographer, or just curious about what’s possible, we’re building this publication to be a practical, honest, and visually-focused resource.
Thank you so much for introducing us to AI. I have worked many images and feeling that what we are doing in enhancing our own images with AI. I feel that’s no different than using some of the filters used in photoshop or other software programs.
I agree with your assessment. I was a commercial photographer in Chicago doing multiple images and light painting . Now as an artist I use photoshop and Ai to enhance my images.
Thank you for your articles,
Stan Stansfield