How do I transition from hiring a photographer to using an in-house AI tool?

Quick Answer (TL;DR)

Transitioning to AI photography requires a "hybrid" phase where you audit your current visual assets and train an AI on your brand identity. You do not need to fire your creative team; you shift their focus from logistics (renting studios, setting lights) to curation and direction. Using a tool like Nightjar simplifies this by allowing you to upload your existing professional photos to "extract" your brand's specific photography style, ensuring new AI images match your historical catalog perfectly.

Step-by-Step Transition Plan

1. Audit Your "Cost Per Image"

Before switching, know your baseline. Traditional photography involves:

• Studio rental / Location fees
• Model fees
• Photographer day rates
• Post-production (retouching)

Typical Cost: $50–$500 per final image.

Nightjar Cost: Fixed subscription (<$0.10 per image).

2. The "Style Extraction" Phase

The biggest fear brands have is inconsistency. If you switch to AI, will the new photos look like they belong with the old ones?

Generic Tools: You have to guess complex prompts to mimic your old lighting.

Nightjar: You upload 10–20 of your best previous campaign photos. The system analyzes the lighting, camera angle, contrast, and mood. It creates a custom "Photography Style" based on your brand.

3. Start with Catalog and Social Content

Don't replace your Hero/Homepage banner immediately if you are hesitant. Start by using AI for:

• Product Listings (PDPs): Generate clean, consistent backgrounds.
• Social Media: Create high-volume lifestyle variations (e.g., your product in a cafe, on a street, on a desk).

4. Retrain Your Team on Curation, Not Creation

Your creative director no longer needs to worry about booking a venue 3 months in advance. Their job is now:

1. Upload the product image to Nightjar.
2. Select the pre-trained Brand Style.
3. Use English text prompts to refine the output (e.g., "remove the vase in the background").

This shift gives you the speed of AI with the quality control of a human creative director.