---
title: "AI in Photography: How Pros Use It & What It Means for Your Photos"
description: "Discover how nearly 90% of working photographers are using AI for editing. Explore AI photo enhancement, portrait tools, and background removal transforming iOS photography."
date: "2026-04-11"
author: "Glossify Team"
tags: ["AI photo", "photo editing", "iOS photography", "portrait", "professional headshot", "background removal", "image enhancement", "generative AI"]
sourceUrl: "https://petapixel.com/2026/04/09/nearly-90-of-surveyed-working-photographers-are-using-ai/"
sourceTitle: "Nearly 90% of Surveyed Working Photographers Are Using AI"
---
The world of photography is always evolving, embracing new tools and techniques that help artists bring their vision to life. In recent years, one technology has quietly, yet powerfully, woven itself into the fabric of the creative process: Artificial Intelligence. A recent survey by VSCO, highlighted by PetaPixel, revealed a compelling statistic: nearly 90% of surveyed working photographers are already using AI in their workflows.
This isn't just a fleeting trend; it’s a clear signal of AI's growing role in shaping how we capture, refine, and share images. For anyone passionate about photography, from aspiring hobbyists to seasoned professionals, understanding this shift is key to staying current and unlocking new creative potential.
The Shifting Landscape of Photography
The PetaPixel article, based on VSCO's comprehensive survey, paints a vivid picture of AI's adoption. When such a significant majority of professionals integrate a new technology, it's worth taking note. This isn't about AI replacing the photographer's eye or artistic judgment; it's about AI becoming a valuable assistant, streamlining tedious tasks and opening doors to previously complex manipulations.
For years, high-quality photo editing was often synonymous with desktop software, demanding significant time and a steep learning curve. The advent of AI changes this equation, democratizing access to professional-grade tools and making sophisticated adjustments more accessible than ever, especially on mobile devices. It means photographers can spend less time on repetitive edits and more time focusing on composition, light, and connecting with their subjects.
AI: Your New Co-Pilot in Photo Editing
AI's integration into photo editing software isn't about magic buttons that replace skill; it's about intelligent algorithms that understand images and apply sophisticated adjustments with remarkable precision. This translates into tangible benefits for every photographer.
Beyond Basic Filters: Real Image Enhancement
Think beyond simple color filters. AI-powered image enhancement tools intelligently analyze your photo's content, identifying areas that could benefit from adjustments to exposure, contrast, color balance, and sharpness. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, AI can make nuanced corrections, preserving natural tones while boosting visual appeal.
For instance, an AI-driven "super-resolution upscaler" can take a smaller image and intelligently add detail, making it suitable for larger prints or displays without pixelation. This kind of image enhancement ensures your photos look crisp and professional, even when working with less-than-ideal source material or needing to resize for different platforms. The result is a cleaner, more vibrant image that truly pops, all with minimal effort.
Mastering Portraits and Headshots with AI
Capturing the perfect portrait or professional headshot often comes down to subtle details: skin tone, lighting on the face, and even the subject's pose. AI tools are becoming incredibly adept at assisting with these specifics.
An AI "face quality scorer," for example, can help identify areas for improvement, guiding you toward optimal lighting or composition. More importantly, advanced AI models can intelligently refine facial features, smooth skin texture, and even correct minor imperfections without creating an artificial or "plastic" look. Technologies like InsightFace, integrated into modern AI photo tools, allow for natural and nuanced adjustments that maintain the subject's authenticity while elevating their appearance. This means achieving polished, natural-looking results for portraits and professional headshots is no longer a painstaking manual process but an accessible, quick adjustment.
Backgrounds Transformed: From Distraction to Distinction
How many times has a perfect shot been marred by a distracting background? Traditionally, removing or replacing a background was a time-consuming task requiring meticulous masking. Today, "background removal" is a prime example of generative AI's practical application in photography.
With a single tap, AI can accurately detect and isolate subjects from their surroundings, allowing you to either remove the background entirely, blur it for a professional bokeh effect, or even replace it with a completely different scene. This capability is particularly useful for product photography, creating consistent branding, or simply focusing attention squarely on your subject. This application of generative AI isn't just about technical precision; it's about creative freedom, enabling photographers to craft the exact visual narrative they envision.
Why Mobile Matters: Pro Editing in Your Pocket
The power of AI isn't confined to desktop computers. The rise of "iOS photography" means that professional-grade editing capabilities are increasingly available directly on your smartphone. This accessibility is a game-changer. Photographers can capture, edit, and share high-quality images without needing to transfer files or spend hours in front of a computer.
This mobile-first approach, powered by AI, means that anyone with a smartphone can produce images that stand alongside those edited with more complex software. It bridges the gap between the immediate gratification of mobile capture and the desire for professional output. Whether you're a content creator on the go, a small business owner needing quick product shots, or simply someone who loves taking great photos, AI on your mobile device provides an efficient pathway to stunning results.
Practical Takeaways for Photographers
The integration of AI into photography workflows isn't just a convenience; it's an opportunity. Here are some practical steps you can take:
- **Embrace AI Tools:** Don't be intimidated by AI. Start experimenting with features like intelligent image enhancement, background removal, and portrait refinement available in modern mobile editing apps.
- **Focus on Your Vision:** Let AI handle the repetitive or technically complex tasks. This frees you up to concentrate on the artistic aspects of photography – composition, storytelling, and capturing genuine moments.
- **Enhance Your Mobile Workflow:** Leverage AI on your iOS device to streamline your editing process. The ability to achieve professional results quickly and efficiently directly from your phone can dramatically improve your productivity and creative output.
The statistics are clear: AI is an indispensable tool for today's photographers. It's not about replacing human creativity but augmenting it, making the process of achieving professional-quality photos more accessible and efficient than ever before.
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Glossify is at the forefront of this shift, leveraging advanced AI to bring professional photo editing capabilities directly to your iOS device. With features like intelligent image enhancement, precise background replacement, and sophisticated portrait tools, Glossify empowers you to achieve stunning, professional photos in one tap, allowing you to focus on your creative vision while AI handles the intricate details.
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**Sources:**
[Nearly 90% of Surveyed Working Photographers Are Using AI](https://petapixel.com/2026/04/09/nearly-90-of-surveyed-working-photographers-are-using-ai/)