AI Background Replacement for Fashion Stores Helps Photographers Profit

Wiki Article

For many years, I have been a product photographer who has focused mainly on the local fashion industry. From photographing footwear and headdresses to casual and outerwear clothing, I have also shot higher-end items such as leather-based (handcrafted) products. The entire time I relied on traditional photography methods (lighting, composition, styling) and spent many hours retouching images by hand to produce quality imagery for customers.

But now the fashion industry is changing at a quick pace, and this trend will continue to accelerate. In less than five years, online retailers will have needed hundreds of images, possibly thousands, for one item alone to list each category: catalog images, detailed close-ups, catalog UX images (from different angles), catalog catalog images, catalogue display images (for product reel), as well as images for use on product promo banners for example. Therefore, I was stressed! As I became more aware of how fast these brands were producing products, I was forced to change my old ways of working and would end up being left behind if I continued. I didn't want to produce "cheap" looking products due in part to meeting content quotas. So, I made the decision to try working with some form of AI in conjunction with the type of workflow I previously worked with. A great option available through Visboom, was AI Background Replacement and AI Model Generation.

This project completely altered my workflow and increased demand for my services by owners of retail stores interested in fashion.

As an example, in the past year I had a six-figure order from one of my women’s apparel clients to create studio and lifestyle photos for 120 SKUs in just 14 days. They wanted the following images per SKU:

Over 900 total photos were required for all customer facing marketing images within that timeframe.

In the past, it usually takes a minimum of 30 days to produce these kinds of marketing images to ensure quality. Even if you are working with a team of photographers, background edits can take additional time and therefore add additional processing time.

My client wanted a fast turnaround while at the same time maintaining premium quality.

This was a mental breakthrough for me to start testing a new “supporting tool” that would allow me to maintain the original image quality while maximizing production speed through the use of Visboom.

How AI Became Part of My Photography Working Environment

I do not have the belief that AI will one day take all of our jobs as photographers, but instead I have the belief that it will help bring faster production cycles to the production side of the photography industry. I found this to be true!

1. Minimalistic Studio for Shooting Products

Using professional lighting such as a large softbox, a fill light, reflector and a neutral grey background makes it easier to identify and recognize the software product during the replacement process.

2. Uploading Images to Visboom for AI Background Replacement

Once the photo shoot is finished, I simply upload my images to Visboom. Thanks to the AI background replacement function, Visboom automatically identifies the product and allows me to change the background according to the brand’s specifications.

Brands have the option of choosing from a white catalogue background, soft pastel colours for their Instagram page, premium textured backdrops, such as marble or concrete, or lifestyle backgrounds that fit in with minimalist fashion studios. Within seconds the process is completed and the images are neatly extracted, appearing professionally taken with no signs of cheap patchwork.

3. Generate a Model Look with AI Model Generator

Many of my clients have a difficult time finding models that best represent their brand's direction and style. Often times perfect models are booked, unavailable or there are other financial constraints.

With the help of AI Model Generator, I can simply generate a female model who is the perfect representation of my client's brand, take photographs of poses that best showcase the clothing and will have a consistent editorial style with matching skin tones and facial expressions.

My use of the AI model allows me to produce promotional materials, digital lookbooks and website banners in a much faster time frame than ever before. The original model is still part of the main image, however the AI model will allow me to add more visuals without the need of a lengthy multi-day photoshoot for the additional images. My client is very happy and I will be able to retain the same natural quality that the original photo has.

After combining traditional shooting methods with AI models, the following changes have taken place:

1. The Photo Production Process Has Increased to 3 Times Faster Than Before

I was previously spending a lot of time editing each catalog photo individually; however now, AI allows me to rapidly remove backgrounds from photos and neatly place replacement backgrounds into the final product.

2. Clients Can Save Money on Model and Location Costs

Life-style type (or stock) photos can now be created by combining (1) product images taken with a real model, (2) AI generated digital model images and (3) virtual studio backdrops. This is an important advantage for brand owners with tighter budgets.

3. I Will Be Able To Take On More Clients

Since the process for editing an image is no longer time consuming, I can now take on more clients without sacrificing quality.

4. My Income Has Increased and My Clients Received A Premium Product

With a much faster method for conducting photo shoots, I am now able to provide several new package options; these include: catalog photo + AI backgrounds, product photo + AI models and express social media content packages.

The value of my services is thereby increased by all of these features.

I am a product photographer and have always believed that the quality of an image starts with the way that the photographer captures it and how he/she lights it, how he/she composes the shot, etc.

However, the emergence of AI technologies such as Visboom provides a huge opportunity for the photographer to have a much easier time creating images. This allows for new ways of working more efficiently and also allows the photographer to create more diverse content.

Fashion retailers also benefit by being able to produce a greater volume of photography at lower costs.

As a photographer, I am able to produce images more quickly, with greater overall quality, and earn more money for my services. This is a new age in which we have a collaboration between the photographer and the AI, rather than a competition between the two.