Why I Embrace AI (But Will Always Be in the People Business)

Image by Elle Photography, Denver CO

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how artificial intelligence is showing up in every corner of life — from emails and editing software to entire ad campaigns showcasing photos that were never real. As a professional photographer, I’ve started embracing AI in small but powerful ways: to help me streamline behind-the-scenes processes, speed up editing workflows, and organize my systems.

But while I am opposed to asking AI to create images of you that are not real, it does allow me time to spend what I truly love — connecting with people and making a difference in their lives through my work - something a robot cannot do.

Let me be clear: I’m in the people business, not the photography business

The images I create aren’t just pretty pictures. They are collaborations. They are stories. They are deeply personal reflections of your journey — whether it's capturing your glowing baby bump, a raw and empowering boudoir session, or your family in all its beautiful chaos and love.

That can’t be faked.
That can’t be outsourced.
And it definitely can’t be generated.

I know you’ve seen the AI-generated images floating around. Maybe you’ve even been tempted to try them. But here’s the truth: when it comes to photographing you, there’s something deeply unsettling about handing over your image to a machine. That’s not art. That’s not memory-making. That’s not connection.

What I offer is something more…

It’s the hug before your session. It’s us doing deep breath work or dancing together the get the jiggles out. The quiet encouragement when you're feeling nervous. The conversation that helps you let your guard down. The feeling of being truly seen.

Sure, I’ll use smart technology to help me send your images a little faster or manage my calendar more efficiently — but none of that replaces the real work I do. The kind that requires empathy, intuition, creativity, and trust. The kind of work that results in heirlooms, not just files. That becomes a legacy, not a trend.

So yes, I’ll keep learning. I’ll keep growing. I’ll keep using tools that allow me to serve you better. But I will never stop choosing you over anything artificial.

Because your story is real. Your love is real. Your journey is real.

And that’s the only kind of beauty I’ll ever be interested in capturing.