12/26/2025
Greetings friends in photography....
Another year is coming to a close. It's been a good one for us. I hope you too.
I always like to keep an eye on tech and use it when and if the time is right. And only if I can use it to enhance my business, and/or the final product which will benefit my clients.
I've seen those Christmas picks that many, many are posting all over social media. Quirky, fun and although well done, kind of shallow. At least as they're being used. (I've created fun AI images, but within context of an inside joke, or as a longer post.)
I am keeping an eye on all things AI.
Will it change the world of photography? Will it affect my business? Will I have to "get a real job"? Or, gasp, retire??
I recently spoke at a local high school for career day, as I've been doing for many years. Mostly 15 year old girls. I, there, representing careers in photography. Or lack thereof. I always state the same reality....: There are no jobs or careers in photography. Take a business course instead, or take graphic design.
And learn how to be a marketer, an entrepreneur. I don't want to mislead them and send them down the wrong road. Truth is, few are willing to do what is needed. Are you?
It ain't easy. Fun? Dam right.... Lucrative? oh yea.... I am constantly filled with gratitude when each year comes to a close and a new year is about to start.
Weddings, fairies, families, headshots..... all of it. Still in the game. Will AI change it all? Or, take it all away? Again, I'm keeping an eye on it. I use Evoto for ALL my sessions and I love it. It's a game changer. And Midjourney. Amazing, powerful tools.
Will the market decide that some easy to use app will replace me? I hope not. I don't think so. It can't replicate the experience we bring to the game. But more importantly, I need to always convey that idea to the marketplace.
It's all very exciting. And at it's basic elemental core, I'm still a photographer. First and foremost. A portrait photographer. I connect with everyone, all ages. Especially young folks. See that fairy image and headshots attached to this post?
That's Peyton. She's 13 years old. Her mom told me afterwards, and her pageant coach (yes, she has a pageant coach) that she really felt a connection with me. How cool is that. This seems to transcend generations. All that matters is what I am contributing to the experience.
No tech can replace that.
On that note, we'll talk more on this and other ideas in January. On the next Mastermind meeting. You can watch the replay from December 2025 Mastermind HERE:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/mastermind-2025-146008485
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Yours in photography,
Rob
