A few months ago, I was prepping for an outdoor shoot. Cloudy skies No assistant. The model showed up an hour early (which never happens), and I had no reflector, no lighting kit, and barely enough caffeine in my system to function.
Out of desperation, I pulled out my phone, tapped into an AI-powered camera app, and let it auto-adjust the lighting. I also had it suggest some poses. And guess what? That shoot - the one I thought was going to flop -turned out to be one of my best.
That’s when it clicked: AI isn’t replacing creativity.. it’s enhancing it. Especially in photo and video shoots.
Wait, AI? In a Camera App?
Yep. And not just in editing. AI has slowly crept into every stage of the shoot - from planning and lighting to posing, framing, and even directing.
But let’s break it down like we’re having a coffee chat, not a tech lecture.
Before the Shoot: AI’s Already Helping You Plan
Ever used Pinterest, ShotDeck, or apps like Unscripted or Canva’s AI-powered mood board generators? If yes, then you’re already leaning on AI for inspiration.
Here’s how I personally use AI in pre shoot prep :
- Location scouting: Tools like ShotHotspot use AI to recommend photogenic spots based on your niche.
- Lighting predictions: Apps like SunSurveyor or PhotoPills predict golden hour, shadow direction, and even cloud cover.
- Pose planning: I sometimes drop my concept into ChatGPT and ask for 10 dynamic couple poses or cinematic solo portrait ideas - and it actually helps.
- Outfit suggestions: Yup, AI can suggest color palettes based on skin tone and backdrop location.
So before the camera even rolls, AI’s already making sure you’re not flying blind.
During the Shoot: AI is Your Assistant You Didn’t Know You Had
Now, here’s where it gets real interesting. If you’re like me and often shoot solo /- no crew, no lights guy, no assistant yelling “rolling!” AI fills in the gaps.
Here’s how I use AI mid-shoot:
1. Auto-Framing & Subject Tracking
Modern phones and cameras (Hello, iPhone and DJI gimbals) use AI to:
- Recognize your subject
- Keep them in frame
- Smooth out shaky hands
I once filmed a fitness reel where my subject kept moving out of frame. Turned on “ActiveTrack” on my DJI Osmo, and boom - the gimbal followed every step like a loyal sidekick.
2. Scene Recognition
Cameras like the Sony A7 series now auto-adjust settings when they detect faces, food, landscape, or even macro details. I don’t always trust full auto, but it’s a huge head-start when you’re losing light fast.
3. Pose Suggestion Apps
Apps like Soreal, Lensa, or Unscripted use AI to suggest poses live. It’s like having a creative director whispering in your ear: “Tilt her chin left.. a little more..perfect.”
And the best part? Your subject feels more confident too. Nobody likes being told, “Just do something cool with your hands…”
After the Shoot: The AI Magic Really Kicks In
Okay, now we’re in post _ and let’s be honest, this is where AI shines the brightest.
What I use (and you probably can too):
- Lightroom AI Masking: Select sky, background, subject _ all with one click. I used to spend 10 minutes brushing manually. Now? One tap.
- Noise reduction + sharpening : AI tools like Topaz Photo AI or Luminar Neo bring back detail in low-light shots like sorcery.
- Video editing suggestions: CapCut and VN now offer automatic beat-matched cuts and transitions. Just drop your clips and music - AI suggests the rest.
- Color grading helpers: I ask AI (yes, ChatGPT) for mood board tones based on my scene. “What color grade fits a rainy alley at night?” It gives film references, hex codes, and LUT vibes to explore.
And if you’ve ever edited a wedding video, you know the hours you spend syncing audio and video. Tools like Descript now transcribe and let you cut video by editing the text. Unreal.
So, Is AI Taking Over the Shoot?
Honestly? Not even close.
AI won’t tell you when your subject’s expression is off. It won’t notice that weird tree branch poking into the background. It won’t feel the moment when a shot just clicks.
But what it does do- is handle the heavy lifting. The busywork. The repetitive stuff that slows your creative flow.
It’s like having a super efficient assistant who never gets tired, doesn’t talk back, and always has your back.
Final Take: Use It. Don’t Rely On It.
Here’s the thing I always remind myself AI is a tool. Not a crutch.
You can still shoot cinematic magic with zero AI help. But if you’ve got it in your toolkit? Use it smartly.
Let it enhance your workflow. Let it speed up your edit. Let it give you fresh ideas when you’re burnt out.
But always, always trust your eye and your gut more than any algorithm.
Because no matter how “smart” AI gets.. your vision is still the real director.
0 Comments