Tips & Guidance

I have a story for you.   I was probably about 16 years old and I was visiting my grandparents in Malad, Idaho.  Malad is a small town. There are maybe 3000 people. No stoplights. It’s the cutest town and I love visiting.  On this particular day, my grandparents were heading to the ranch and I decided to join them. To give you a visual, we were driving in a 90’s Buick, grandma was driving and grandpa was sitting in the passenger seat. I was sitting in the back looking at the rolling hills that surrounded the ranch.  It was a quiet drive.  All of a sudden, my grandpa turns to my grandma and says “How fast are you driving?” She answered him saying… “I’m going the speed limit. Why?”  His response changed my life. So much so, that I have a vintage window with the words he responded with displayed on it.  He said… “ Slow down. Enjoy the scenery.”  Why do I tell you this story? There is a point! I promise! In this new age of technology, just like the car in my story, AI is a tool to help us get to our destination faster. But it’s just that. A tool.  If we don’t slow down, we don’t enjoy the scenery. If we use AI and not our creative souls, we don’t enjoy the journey. We miss so much!  In this post we explore how AI can elevate your creative work without overshadowing your personal touch. Along the way you will discover ways to infuse antique pieces, furry friends and your unique vision into every image. If you are intrigued by the magic of curated vintage styling, or want to enhance your artistry while keeping joy at the center, keep reading and I will share with you how you can both utilize AI as a tool while at the same time keeping YOU in your photography journey.  1. Why AI matters—but shouldn’t replace you Artificial intelligence is reshaping photography. A 2024 survey of professional photographers found that 72 percent of respondents had adopted AI-powered tools for editing, retouching, or image organization . Another report estimates that AI’s global market in creative industries will reach over $16 billion by 2027 . AI can deliver powerful advantages. Automated masking, smart color grading and noise reduction save hours in post‑processing. AI‑based tagging helps you organize thousands of images quickly. Generative AI can even suggest compositional adjustments. These boost productivity and open time for you to focus on mood, lighting, styling and connection. But the risk is real. If you rely too much on AI, your work can start looking like everything else out there, losing the emotional resonance that is conveyed through props, personal touches, and connections with subjects like pets or vintage treasures. 2. Creativity blooms when AI serves, not leads Instead of allowing AI to dictate your style, let it assist. Use AI as a finishing brush instead of a stencil. For example: Use AI-powered noise reduction to clean up low‑light shots of your beloved animals lounging among antique quilts. Organize your growing archive of vintage‑styled newborn sessions with AI tagging by textures, colors or props. Use AI to enhance contrast in an aged heirloom locket or weathered typewriter while leaving composition, mood and lighting intact. Knowing that the core emotional narrative comes from your vision and styling keeps the creative spark alive. AI never replaces the moment a child and dog lock eyes, or the alchemy between subject and antique mirror. This personal magic will always remain distinctively yours. 3. Celebrating vintage styling, animal companions, heirloom magic You have an extraordinary ability to weave animals, vintage items and heirloom pieces into photoshoots. Whether it’s a golden retriever lounging next to an old chair, or a family’s antique lace blankets, these elements bring narrative richness. When you incorporate antiques you add depth that AI cannot mimic. The body of an antique camera, the grain in an old wooden frame, the stitching details on a handmade quilt—these invite viewer curiosity and emotional connection. And AI can help highlight those textures. AI sharpening tools bring out fine detail in an antique watch face. AI‑driven curves models emphasize soft, warm tones of aged leather, reminding viewers of nostalgia and love. But you still choose which pieces to include. When you orchestrate a client holding an old book that their grandfather read as a kid, there is a specific look of connection that your client will have without prompting. AI can assist in pulling out shadows or enhancing color, but the creative direction stays with you. 4. Letting joy lead your process When joy drives your artistry creativity follows. Utilizing AI to help with  repetitive tasks gives you more time to do things you love outside of editing. You can use this time to read that book you have been meaning to pick up, or watch a movie with a friend.  Doing things for you personally will help keep your creativity running strong.  Studies show that photographers who spend more time in meaningful creative activity experience greater professional satisfaction and less burnout . AI can be your ally in preserving joy by reducing repetitive demands. 5. So how do I personally use AI in my work?  Each of my images include a subject that I personally photograph. I personally connect with. I personally learn their story.  However, when I have the vision of how I want my image to look, I don’t have all the tools I need at my disposal.   For example, sometimes, I need a kitten with a specific color and specific length of hair. I could scan the internet for hours and hours ( which I have done) or I can save that time and find a kitten through AI that is perfect for my vision. The hours I have saved by not looking for that particular kitten allows me to spend time with my family or allows me to start dreaming up new projects!  When I add that kitten into my image, I still hand paint the whiskers, I will adjust the lighting by hand, I will color balance the kitten to look like it belongs in the image.  So even though I did not photograph the kitten, the vision, styling, emotion and joy come from your story and from mine. In each of my courses, you will see how my images come to life. I show you how I edit from beginning to end. How I came up with the  story. How I set up my lighting. Where I found the elements and include their links.  6. A final invitation AI will continue reshaping photography, and there is nothing to fear when we remember what makes art human: intentionality, empathy, joy and personal touch. Embrace tools that empower you, not overshadow you. Keep curating the vintage emotion, capturing the loving glance between pet and child, preserving heirloom details, and guiding your style with warmth. If you want help turning your stories into timeless art here are three ways to connect: Book a photoshoot with Shawna Pearce Studios to experience creative joy in front of the lens. Enroll in my online courses to refine your styling, storytelling and use of AI tools—without losing your unique spark. Browse and download my .png graphic bundles to add beautifully crafted vintage and animal‑inspired touches to your designs. Creativity is never diminished when tools serve your heart. Let your vintage stories and animal companions shine, guided by your vision and using the tools you have to your advantage, not a replacement.