AI promises to have great impact in the realm of professional photography. But when is it actually going to be useful? In this blog post, we will delve into the exciting realm of professional photography and its integration with generative AI. With AI making waves in various industries, including photography, we’ll explore how it can revolutionize the way we approach corporate portraits.

The Perfect Opportunity: Creating Corporate Portraits with AI-Generated Backgrounds

Recently, I was presented with a unique opportunity to showcase the power of AI in my corporate photography work. Revnext, A forward-thinking company, at the forefront of innovation in research, approached me to create corporate portraits. Eager to leverage AI, I proposed a compelling idea—generating backgrounds using keywords from their website and seamlessly integrating the portraits into them. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the project was a go!

The Rising Tide of AI in Professional Photography

This year AI has been the talk of the town, permeating numerous fields, including professional photography. With new developments emerging every week, even the tried-and-true software like Photoshop has embraced AI. As a professional photographer, staying ahead of the curve is crucial, and AI represents the next big wave of change in our industry.

Embracing AI in Photography: An Early Adoption Strategy

Having closely followed the advancements in AI and its potential impact on photography, I am convinced of its significance. The slow adoption of digital photography and internet changes in the past taught us the value of being early adopters. Presenting on ‘AI in photography’ to my fellow photographers revealed a growing interest in exploring the possibilities.

From Utopian to Real: The Integration of AI in Corporate Photography

The real question for me was when I could incorporate AI into my corporate photography projects. While creating imaginative images with generative AI applications was fascinating, I was eager for AI to become an integral part of a client’s photographic assignment. The perfect opportunity arose when Revnext sought my expertise to capture their team’s essence.

The Midjourney Experience: AI-Generated Backgrounds for Corporate Portraits

To breathe life into Revnext’s corporate portraits, I experimented with the Midjourney AI application to generate backgrounds. Using a small studio setup in their office and thoughtful lighting techniques, I aimed to create captivating portraits that conveyed the essence of their expertise in cyber security, forensics, transport & logistics, clean tech, and e-health.

Post-processing is an essential aspect of bringing the vision to life. I used a combination of Lightroom and Photoshop (Beta) for refining the portraits and integrating the AI-generated backgrounds. The Piximperfect Compositing plugin proved invaluable for extracting subjects and seamlessly blending them with the Midjourney backgrounds.

(click on the images for a larger view)

The Art of Balancing Quality and Creativity with AI

While working with generative AI applications like Midjourney can be exciting, it also comes with its share of challenges. Creating the perfect background often involved trial and error, but the effort was well worth it when the client expressed their delight. It’s crucial to strike the right balance between creativity and efficiency when incorporating AI in professional photography.

A Glowing Review: Marvel Superheroes in Corporate Portraits

The results exceeded the client’s expectations, earning a glowing review. The seamless integration of AI-generated backgrounds, wrote the CEO, elevated the team members to “Marvel superheroes.” It was an unexpected yet delightful connection that showcased the power of AI in transforming corporate portraits into something extraordinary.