Podcast Summary:

This Can’t Be That Hard
Episode 342 – Outside-the-Box AI Ideas for Photographers with Jessica Martin
Host: Annemie Tonken
Guest: Jessica Martin
Release Date: November 11, 2025

Overview

This episode spotlights innovative, practical, and surprisingly human-centered ways photographers can use AI tools—not just for streamlining their businesses, but to foster genuine connections with clients and spark new ideas. Annemie Tonken interviews Jessica Martin, an Austin-based family and senior photographer, about her evolving journey with AI. Together, they explore approaches for leveraging technology in creative, “outside-the-box” ways, including enhancing client experiences and inspiring photographic sessions, especially when working with families and high school seniors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jessica’s Background and First Encounters with AI

• Jessica is a seasoned photographer specializing in seniors, families, and brands in Austin, Texas.
• She began exploring AI tools, like ChatGPT, during a slow winter (around early 2023):

  “I didn’t really know how to use it at first…But from what I have picked up now, it’s definitely a trash in, trash out experience.” – Jessica [05:45]

• Initially used AI for writing blog posts—admitting her early attempts were “cringe” because she didn’t know how to prompt effectively.

Using AI Beyond Basic Content Creation

Enhancing Email Marketing with Value-Added Content

• Jessica created a cleaning schedule (with the help of AI) during a New Year’s organizing kick. She shared it with her client list, finding her clients valued practical, helpful emails—not just sales pitches:

  “This is the perfect kind of a connection with some subset of my reading audience that…gives them value. It gives us something to kind of talk about and have in common.” – Annemie [08:40]

Games and Activities: Bringing AI Into Family Life (and Client Experience)

• During summer, Jessica used ChatGPT to invent new ways to play with her son’s toys—making a color-coded, spinner-based “activity game” with prompts and suggestions for play.
• The idea proved so fruitful that she shared it with photography clients, many of whom downloaded and enjoyed using the tool with their own kids.

  “We would read the card and he might start doing it, but then the game would adapt to him…Some days he would literally be in his room playing with toys for like two hours or more. And I was like, this is some sort of magic trick that I did.” – Jessica [14:29]

• Insight: AI isn't replacing creativity but "jarring you out of your normal way of thinking…to give you something new.” – Annemie [13:00]

Personalizing Photo Sessions with AI-Generated Prompts

Custom, Cinematic Senior Sessions

• Jessica uses custom questionnaires to learn about each senior client—their favorite movies, books, music, personality traits. She enters this data into ChatGPT, which generates bespoke prompt lists for each session:

  “I take all that data and I feed it in and I give it some very specific information about how I want prompts to look...and it gives me back information on how to achieve that.” – Jessica [20:40]

• She prints the prompts, cuts them out, and has seniors draw them randomly during the session, making the process interactive and personal.
• Emphasis on prompts (activities) vs. posing:

  "…prompting is as opposed to posing. It is saying, you know, okay, I want you to do this, which can help so many people who feel stiff and awkward in front of the camera…” – Annemie [23:16]

• Personalization is key for teens:

  “We all want to be seen, but for teenagers, that is like the number one make it or break it thing.” – Annemie [23:16]

• The method could work for brand photography, family sessions, and other niches.

Using AI to Generate Games for Family Photo Sessions

• AI-powered activity ideas (e.g., ring-around-the-rosy, chase games) add spontaneity and fun, especially for children:

  “For me, I mean, that’s been a huge hit because, I mean, no kid wants to sit there and smile at the camera…” – Jessica [25:40]

• Making activities interactive for both kids and parents increases engagement and variety in sessions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On AI’s role:

  “It has become such a fun tool to use to create more connection between you and your potential client…technology can support connection rather than replacing it.” – Jessica [06:41], echoed by Annemie in intro [00:35]

• On creative ruts and reinvigorating sessions:

  “…Anyone who’s been in business knows…you can start to get into a creative rut…so adding this element of spice and, you know, you don’t exactly know what’s coming next can really make it…I imagine so much…it’s just a better experience all the way around.” – Annemie [27:13]

• On the collaborative community spirit:

  “It’s just my favorite thing when our community is kind of out there putting together our limited brain resources so that we can all draw from a bigger pool. It’s so great…” – Annemie [30:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:51] – Jessica introduces her business background
• [05:45] – Jessica’s first experience with AI and reflections on prompting
• [07:11] – Creation and sharing of an AI-generated cleaning schedule
• [10:21] – Inventing summer activity games with ChatGPT; sharing with clients
• [12:57] – Reflection on using AI as a creativity jumpstarter
• [19:19] – Senior sessions: personalizing with AI-powered prompts
• [25:40] – AI-generated games for children during family sessions
• [28:36] – What’s next: building a custom GPT for senior prompts
• [29:56] – Where to find Jessica’s resources and prompts online

Additional Resources & Where to Find Jessica

• Website/Resources: thejessicamartin.com (search “prompts” for free downloads and AI tools for photographers/families)
• Instagram/TikTok: @thejessicamartin

Summary & Takeaways

• AI can be a creative partner, not just a shortcut for admin work.
• Photographers can use AI to create personalized, engaging experiences that delight clients and enhance word-of-mouth.
• Leveraging simple AI tools (like ChatGPT) can help even non-technical creatives break out of ruts, deepen relationships, and add value far beyond picture-taking.
• Focusing on fun, personality-aligned prompts and games pays off, especially with teens and families.
• Community knowledge sharing amplifies the impact for all.

This episode is packed with actionable ideas for photographers at any stage, making AI feel accessible, collaborative, and – most importantly – deeply human.