5 Ways I Do (and Don’t) Use AI in My Business
AI is everywhere right now. It’s evolving at lightning speed, transforming industries, and changing the way we work.
As a photographer, videographer, and storyteller, I’ve had a complicated relationship with AI.
I tested AI-powered photo culling tools, hoping they could speed up my workflow without compromising my creative process. But after months of experimenting, I realized something:
AI couldn’t recognize the moments that actually mattered.
It couldn’t see the magick that I see.
It had no connection to the depth, energy, and nuance that make an image truly alive.
That’s when I understood: AI has a place in my business, but it will never replace what I do.
So, where do I draw the line? Let’s break it down.
✅ 5 Ways I Use AI in My Business (With Intention)
AI can be a powerful tool, when used intentionally. Here’s how I incorporate it into my workflow while keeping my creative integrity intact.
1. AI Helps Automate Admin Work & Repetitive Tasks
Running a business involves a lot of behind-the-scenes logistics. AI helps me:
Automate scheduling & reminders
Organize project details & client workflows
Streamline inbox management
By offloading the busywork, I have more time and energy to focus on what matters most—creating and connecting.
🔗 Related: Why I Switched from Mailchimp to Flodesk → How I intentionally choose tools that simplify my workflow without sacrificing the personal touch.
2. AI Supports SEO & Market Research
AI helps me analyze trends, keywords, and content performance so I can optimize my:
Website
Blog posts
Pinterest strategy
Instead of spending hours researching manually, AI pulls insights quickly, allowing me to stay on top of industry trends and get my content in front of the right audience.
3. AI Helps Me Organize & Structure Big Ideas
I love a good brain dump. AI helps me:
Organize messy thoughts into clear structures
Summarize long notes into key takeaways
Refine draft ideas
This means I can spend less time sorting and more time creating.
4. AI Assists With Formatting for Accessibility
While I personally write all of my captions, blog posts, and emails, AI helps me:
Format and structure content for easier readability
Optimize for different platforms (like Pinterest & Instagram)
Improve accessibility for diverse audiences
AI doesn’t write for me, but it helps me make my content more user-friendly.
5. AI Speeds Up Workflow Efficiency
AI helps me streamline tasks like:
Summarizing meeting notes
Generating checklists
Automating parts of my workflow
The result? Less time at my desk, more time creating.
❌ 5 Ways I Don’t Use AI (And Never Will)
AI has limits. Especially when it comes to human intuition, artistry, and connection. Here’s where I draw the line.
1. I Don’t Use AI for Image or Video Culling
I tested AI-powered culling software and it never got it right.
Part of my process is deeply intuitive. The way I select images isn’t just about technical perfection. It’s about:
The connection we build before & during your session
The energy you bring into the space
The emotions and storytelling that only a human eye can see
An algorithm can’t replace that.
2. I Don’t Use AI for Editing, Retouching, or Photo Manipulation
The most meaningful moments? They can’t be auto-generated or enhanced.
AI will never notice:
The way your eyes soften when you truly feel seen
How the golden light perfectly complements your energy
The tiny, unscripted moments that make an image unforgettable
My approach to editing is rooted in presence, not automation.
3. I Don’t Use AI to Generate Images or Videos
If I wanted to create digital images, I’d be a graphic designer.
But I’m a photographer and videographer for a reason. I capture:
Real people
Real energy
Real stories
AI-generated content? That’s not my craft.
4. I Don’t Use AI to Replace the Creative Process
Creativity is messy. It’s emotional. It’s human.
AI might be able to generate a technically “perfect” image, but that’s not the goal. My work is about:
Depth
Energy
Authentic storytelling
Creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
5. I Don’t Use AI to Replace Human Intuition
Some moments just feel right. And no algorithm can replicate that instinct.
The photos and videos that:
Give you chills
Make you cry
Feel like home
…aren’t just about lighting and composition. They’re about energy, essence, and feeling.
AI Is a Tool. But It Will Never Be the Artist
At the heart of everything I do, whether it’s photography, video, movement, or storytelling, is presence.
AI can optimize, organize, and streamline.
But it can’t feel.
It can’t breathe life into an image.
It can’t recognize the moment when you finally see yourself the way you were always meant to be seen.
AI is changing the way we work, but some things will always be irreplaceable.
I’d love to hear your take on all things AI. Come chat with me on Instagram [@monicajustesen] and let’s talk about AI in creativity: how are you using it (or avoiding it)?
