Just a few years ago, the only way to get high-end product photography was to call a professional like Tyler. Whether it was a corporate shoot, a birthday party, or content for a brand campaign, photographers were indispensable. Even the best smartphones like the iPhone 13 Pro or later the 16 had clear technical limits; You couldn’t fake bokeh depth, studio lighting, or a seasoned eye.
But things began to shift dramatically in 2023.
- OpenAI’s DALL·E rolled out its image generation tool to the public, Adobe Firefly entered beta and MidJourney surged in popularity for its cinematic quality.
- Platforms like Canva introduced integrated AI image tools, and Freepik launched AI-driven assistants as core features.
- Industry giants like Getty Images have partnered with NVIDIA to develop generative AI platforms
So where does that leave professionals like Tyler?
Is professional photography facing extinction, or is there still room for human artistry in a machine-driven visual economy?
In this deep dive, we speak to a seasoned photographer from the creative community on his concerns about AI’s shakeup of the industry? Are photographers about to be next typist?
Q1: What was your first reaction when you realized machines could generate stock imagery?
A: Honestly, I was excited. Then curious. I remember thinking, “Let’s see what this thing can really do.” At first, the results weren’t impressive, it didn’t feel like competition. But today? That’s changed. AI-generated images are getting sharper, smarter, and in some cases, indistinguishable from the real thing. We’ve gone from novelty to serious disruption in under two years.
Q2: Do you believe AI will eventually replace traditional photography?
A: Not entirely but certain parts of the profession are definitely at risk. Stock photography is already being challenged. AI allows users to generate exactly what they want, when they want it. That level of control and speed is hard to compete with.
That said, not all photography is replaceable. Live events, portraits, weddings any scenario that requires human presence, emotion, or identity still depends on real photographers. These are moments you can’t fake with a prompt.
Q3: Getty Images recently partnered with NVIDIA to develop generative AI tools. What message does that send to traditional stock photographers?
A: It sends a clear message: the industry is shifting and fast. Stock agencies are choosing scalability and speed over traditional content pipelines. They want to meet demand faster, cut costs, and offer more customization. Unfortunately, that means fewer opportunities for traditional contributors. It’s business, but it’s also a signal for photographers to adapt or risk being left behind.
Q4: Can photographers adapt to AI and if so, how?
A: Yes, we can adapt but we have to be intentional. One of the strongest ways to leverage AI right now is in post-production. Tools like Adobe Photoshop have made huge leaps with AI-assisted editing. What used to take hours can now take minutes.
Camera systems are also integrating AI for better auto-focus, composition, and lighting. These improvements help us not replace us.
However, when it comes to areas like stock photography, the competitive edge is quickly shifting. That’s why it’s important to focus on the types of photography AI can’t replicate—like human-centered experiences, live storytelling, and emotion.
Q5: What do you think the next 5–10 years look like for photography with AI in the mix?
A: I expect more change and faster than we think. Right now, AI is helping users turn average phone pictures into professional-looking images. Tomorrow, it might replicate the entire experience of a high-end camera system through software alone.
That’s a big deal. It means more parts of our workflow could be automated or replaced. I believe AI will continue improving in ways we can’t even imagine yet and that will affect how we work, what we offer, and how we price our value.
The Harsh Truth? Photographers Aren’t Dead… The Clock’s Just Ticking.
Photographers are not extinct but are evolving fast or fading faster; Event shooters, wedding pros, live docu-creatives? You’re still safe. For now.
But for generic content Stock images, basic product visuals, abstract backgrounds , sadly AI’s taking over. And not slowly.
Some Hard Lessons
Hard lesson 1: If you’re creative, stop acting like clients owe you loyalty. They don’t. They have options now. Learn client management skills for retention
Hard lesson 2: 2020 mediocrity won’t cut it anymore. AI’s baseline is already good enough your work needs to be better or different. Learn creative story telling, build stronger personas.
AI is coming for your job but not because it hates you. It’s coming because someone out there is tired of waiting for your edits, your quotes, your “final final” JPGs.
Staying in the game demands more skin than ever. Here’s some posts to help you out
6 Things You Should Never Say To Clients
Stealing Clients with Ease: A Quick and Dirty Guide
I’ve seriously thought about quitting design