EP 115 - What AI Means for Photographers (and Why It Matters) with Chris from Grainy Boi Weddings
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Chris, a film photographer I discovered through a viral Instagram post about AI that sparked a lot of conversation. He shares the story behind his post, which features AI generated wedding images so convincing they fooled both industry peers and his own family, and why that experiment felt like a real wake-up call. That post opened the door to a much bigger discussion - one about where photography is headed in an AI-powered world, how easily fabricated images can pass as real, and what that means for trust and transparency in our industry.
Meet Chris:
Chris Spencer-Payne is a UK based film photographer working under the name Grainyboi. His work centres around travel photography & weddings all shot entirely on film.
His work is rooted in being present and letting things happen naturally. No forced moments & no heavy polish. Whether he is photographing a wedding or golden hour in the mountains, the goal is always the same. Slow down, pay attention, and trust the process.
The Post That Sparked the Conversation
Chris recently shared a post on Instagram that stirred up a lot of conversation. In it, he explored generating AI wedding images - images so realistic that they fooled both people in the industry and members of his own family.
That was the point.
This wasn’t about showing off what AI can do. It was about how quietly convincing it already is - and how easily fabricated images can slip into our visual culture without being questioned.
As Chris put it:
“It’s unsettling that AI’s already here, and it’s good enough to blend into the background without drawing attention. The change doesn’t really announce itself. It shows up by reducing the effort required to fabricate something to the point where scrutiny stops happening.”
That idea - that scrutiny slowly disappears - is where things start to get complicated.
Why Transparency Matters More Than Ever
A huge theme of this conversation is transparency.
If AI can generate entire portfolios, clients and collaborators will need to rely more heavily on trust - and photographers will need to be more open about how their work is created. Chris talks about how genuine artists won’t shy away from these questions.
As he says:
“Genuine artists in this industry won’t hesitate when questions about creation arise. They’re open about the florists, planners, stylists, and all the people behind the scenes who make the work possible.”
Transparency isn’t about defending yourself. It’s about honoring the process and the people involved in making meaningful work.
AI as a Tool (Not the Artist)
Chris isn’t anti-AI. In fact, he uses it - just intentionally.
He shared how he used AI to help with his tax returns, turning what used to be a three-day task into something that took seven minutes. That’s time he now gets to spend creating instead of drowning in admin.
And that’s where AI makes sense.
In Chris’s words:
“AI should free up our time to pursue creative endeavors, not replace the creative process itself.”
When AI handles the repetitive, draining tasks, it creates space for the parts of photography that actually matter.
Why Film Still Matters
Film photography plays a huge role in how Chris thinks about the future.
As AI blurs the line between what’s real and what’s generated, having something physical - something tangible - becomes even more meaningful. Film creates a record that exists outside of algorithms and pixels.
Chris believes that in the years ahead, that physical proof of creation will matter more than ever.
“Shooting film in the years that are gonna come with AI will become increasingly important because it’s physical and tangible.”
Final Thoughts
This conversation isn’t about fear or resistance. It’s about awareness.
AI is here, and it’s powerful. It can help photographers work smarter, reclaim time, and reduce burnout - but it also forces us to think more carefully about authenticity, trust, and what we value as artists.
Chris encourages open dialogue, transparency, and staying engaged in these conversations as the industry evolves.
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Connect with Chris:
Website: https://www.grainyboi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grainyboiweddings_/
