We are being bombarded lately with copious amounts of AI generated headshots, product, corporate, landscape photography etc.
The internet and social media is flooded with it. Everywhere you look people are turning into cartoons or smooth, airbrushed, dreamy creations.
Observing this phenomenon, I had to ask myself: “what does an AI generated professional profile (or worse cartoon rendition) say about a person?”
AI image created using HeadshotMaster.
Does it say that you are authentic, trustworthy, hardworking, professional and/or credible?
Would a prospective client view your headshot as the “real you”? Or could it be construed that you like to take short cuts, or blur and disguise the truth?
The same can be asked about your product photography and brand photography. Are you trying to cut costs or perhaps disguise a substandard product?
Clients want to connect with “real people” making use of functioning workspaces/offices/ practices. Clients want to make a human connection.
This is the real, authentic me. Yes I do not look like a model, but I am unapologetically me and I am comfortable in my own skin.
In a society full of false media, advertising, deceptive schemes and trickery – you should be genuine. That is how you will stand out.
A real headshot shows you are confident and back yourself. You are authentic and allowing your brand to speak out.
You trust in your brand and you are willing to invest capital into developing your brand with authentic headshots, product photography and other corporate imagery.
Photographers rely on personal touch to perfect client’s images. We focus on the client’s personality and needs as well as the industry they are employed in.
Coupled with our expertise in lighting, posing, facial expressions and camera skills, we provide our clients with images that reflect who they really are, their business and all the fine details.
“Real people, real places, real moments” – Karl Taylor (Pro Photographer)
The world is changing and we must adapt to new technology, but real moments and authenticity still stands.
AI image created using InstaHeadshots.com.
In order to conduct proper research and deliver an unbiased opinion, I did create an AI image of myself.
I compared the AI me with original me and I will admit that AI did not do a bad recreation. This level of AI creation is however not free and it is not a 100% accurate.
I spotted some small issues that I could fix in Photoshop. I can see that this kind of image could work in a crunch.
Do I approve of it? No, I still feel that this is just machines regurgitating unoriginal ideas.
I had to, after all, feed the application an original image of myself. It is a fantasy in a lot of cases with no human story behind it. No emotional connection.
Furthermore AI is plagiarising art & creativity. AI is consuming loads of energy. Data centres house AI servers, creating toxic electronic waste.
Yes, of course photographers make use of AI applications incorporated into programmes like Photoshop and Lightroom to assist with workflow and editing.
In these circumstances AI is used as a secondary resource and used sparingly.
Bottom line: photography is still about using your talent and skill to transform an idea into your art. AI is copying ideas, talent and skill.
Give me a shout if you think it is time to update your Business Portraits/Headshots.
You can read more about our headshot photography/business portrait photography here.
These photo sessions takes time and patience. It is normally done for just one product or a small range.
This will also include more difficult to photograph products, e.g. products with chrome writing or shiny surfaces. Products that create glare or some difficult to photograph liquids.
Or in this case, luxury bath products in glass bottles.
In this photo session I created pack shots for my client, The Salted Room, as well as styled images.
Cispak is a regular client and I always enjoy photographing this top quality brand’s products for use on their website and social media platforms.
Packshots are images of your products or product ranges, displaying the packaging, labels and appearance of products.
We will usually photograph these products on a white background in the form of a production line. One lighting set-up will be used and hardly ever will props or styling be introduced.
Headshots and Corporate Branding Photography Pretoria
I recently photographed the management at IQ Accounting here in Pretoria.
IQ Accounting is a once stop shop that can assist you or your business with Accounting-; Estate-; Financial- and Consulting Services.
It really was a lovely experience and I hope to collaborate with them again shortly.
As usual I collaborated with Brand Strategist – Kira Goller
This is my favourite kind of photography. I enjoy working in a corporate environment and assisting businesses in keeping their corporate footprint current.
You can read more about our corporate photography and the importance of developing your brand here.
Kindly also consider following us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with our latest special offers.
Cispak is a regular client and I always enjoy photographing this top quality brand’s products for use on their website and social media platforms.
Packshots are images of your products or product ranges, displaying the packaging, labels and appearance of products.
We will usually photograph these products on a white background in the form of a production line. One lighting set-up will be used and hardly ever will props or styling be introduced.
