Artificial intelligence (AI) is often touted as the future of photography, with proponents claiming that computers can replicate the skills and creativity of human photographers.
While this may hold for certain genes of photography, such as fashion, architecture, and maybe even food photography, AI simply cannot replace a family photographer. This is because family portraiture is a deeply personal experience for both the subject and the photographer.
“A photoshoot is so much more than just the photographic material. It’s the entire human-to-human experience, the bonding between family members. The time spent together to create memories, which can’t be replicated by a machine.”
Melody, Founder of Oh Dear Studio
This sentiment was echoed by my client Wong when she said: “We had a 10 person multi-generation shoot at Oh Dear Studio recently and all of us enjoyed ourselves there. We received the processed photos really quick and all of us loves how the photos came out. Out of all the photos, the kids photos came out the best! They managed to capture all the best moments of kids, including uncooperative kids.”
Which is why she chose us to photograph her full extended family, celebrating the 70th birthday of her Mother.
AI Photography works by inputting digital images into a computer, which then uses computer vision and machine learning to analyze the image and recognize specific features within that image.
A family photographer spends time interacting with every member of the family, drawing smiles by chatting or joking. Sometimes speaking in more than two or even three languages in one session.
AI cannot replace the human touch simply because there is nothing to replace!
How can an AI detect and capture the emotion of a child who is shy or tired?
How can it recognize the mood of a couple who are anxious or nervous to be in front of the camera?
Chatbots may help to answer questions during online bookings, but they could never replace human interaction during the photoshoot itself.
Every client has different needs and expectations for their portrait shoot. They may not know what they want from an image or may not even be able to put into words what they are looking for. This is where an experienced family photographer comes in.
Admittedly, AI is indispensable in today’s life and in fact, we are already using it daily. Our phone uses facial recognition software, our DSLR’s autofocusing is a godsend, and Apple’s Portrait mode is also a form of AI where it identifies a subject in the foreground and simulates a shallow depth of field.
Centuries ago, portraits painters were the primary artist who painted family portraits. They used paint and brushes to capture the likelihood and character of their subject.
As we, in the profession of capturing human life, have traded in our canvas and paintbrushes for digital cameras in the last century; we are excited to find out how AI and technology will replace our cameras with something that will elevate our work to new levels in the next.
