Reclaiming Creativity: How AI Culling Gives Photographers Their Time Back

Last updated on 04/01/2025

Cover image by  DC Studio on Freepik

As a photographer, I’ve learned that time is the most valuable resource we have. When clients pay for our services, they’re not just investing in our skill — they’re paying for the time we dedicate to their session. Yet, the traditional process of culling images consumes an enormous portion of that time, cutting into our creative energy and limiting how efficiently we run our businesses.

When I first started photography, I didn’t do it to function like a machine. I pursued this passion because I loved capturing moments and telling stories through images. However, I quickly found myself burning out — spending painstaking hours agonizing over every image, driven by my own perfectionism. Instead of enjoying the creative process, I was drowning in endless selections, feeling like I was now sacrificing the artistic side of this profession to provide efficient work — and quite possibly sacrificing the quality of the work delivered. After all, nothing done well is ever done in a rush.

This is where AI-powered photo culling tools like Imagen Culling come in. They have transformed how I manage my workflow, saving me countless hours while maintaining the quality and consistency my clients expect. Instead of drowning in thousands of images, I can focus on what truly matters — crafting incredible visuals and growing a sustainable business.

The Importance of Time Efficiency in Photography

Time efficiency is the backbone of a successful photography business. The more time I save on mundane, repetitive tasks, the more time I can invest in shooting, engaging with clients, and developing my brand. Every hour spent manually sorting through images is an hour I could use to improve my craft or take on additional bookings. AI photo culling doesn’t just streamline my workflow — it directly impacts my profitability.

The Benefits of AI Culling

1. Time-saving Efficiency

Traditional culling is an exhausting process that requires manually flipping through thousands of near-identical images, scrutinizing tiny details. AI culling software, on the other hand, can analyze and sort through massive sets of images within minutes. This allows me to move quickly from session to final delivery, creating a more scalable business model.

2. Accurate Selections

AI culling software like Imagen assesses crucial factors like focus, expressions, composition, and exposure with high precision. While human oversight is still necessary for final selections, Imagen’s AI culling tool significantly reduces the grunt work. I can trust it to identify the sharpest images while removing those with closed eyes or motion blur. This means fewer tedious decisions and a more streamlined process.

3. Enhanced Workflow & Business Growth

By integrating AI into my workflow, my entire post-production process has become smoother. Many AI culling tools seamlessly integrate with Lightroom and other editing software, making the transition from culling to editing effortless. The faster I deliver images to clients, the happier they are — leading to better reviews, more referrals, and ultimately, a more profitable business.

Implementing AI Culling in Your Workflow

1. Choosing the Right AI Culling Software

There are many AI culling tools available, including Imagen AI, Aftershoot, and FilterPixel. When selecting the best photo culling tool, it’s essential to consider accuracy, ease of use, and compatibility with your existing editing software. For me, Imagen stands out because of its ability to learn my photo editing style and adapt to my preferences.

2. Seamless Integration with Existing Tools

The right AI culling software doesn’t disrupt your current workflow — it enhances it. Imagen, for instance, integrates seamlessly with Lightroom, allowing for a smooth transition from selection to editing. Moreover, by combining both the photo culling and editing within the same platform – Imagen allows you to complete all of your post-processing workflow in a single window, and you even don’t have to log-in to your Lightroom account at all — Imagen will pull your photos from the catalog, cull, edit them, and upload the final edited gallery back. This level of integration ensures that my workflow remains fluid, reducing bottlenecks that slow down delivery times.

3. Training and Fine-tuning AI to Your Style

One of the most valuable aspects of AI culling software is its ability to adapt to your unique style. The more I use Imagen, the better it understands my selection criteria. By providing feedback on its initial selections, I can refine the algorithm to make even more precise choices in the future.

Overcoming Challenges in AI Culling

 – False Positives and Negatives

While AI is highly accurate, it isn’t infallible. Sometimes, it may discard a shot I would have kept or flag an image that I might overlook. To counter this, I do a quick review to ensure nothing valuable gets left behind. However, even with this step, AI saves me hours compared to manual culling.

 – Handling Subjective Selection Criteria

Photography is an art form, and some choices require human intuition. While AI prioritizes technical quality, I still make final adjustments based on storytelling and emotion. AI serves as an assistant, not a replacement for my creative vision.

 – Addressing Ethical Concerns

With AI playing a more significant role in photography, ethical concerns naturally arise. Will AI replace photographers? Will it dilute the artistic process? In my experience, AI doesn’t replace creativity — it enhances it. By eliminating redundant work, AI editing and culling software allows me to invest more time in capturing and perfecting my art, and create a scalable, sustainable business that fits my lifestyle rather than adding unnecessary obstacles. 

At the end of the day, photography is about so much more than just delivering a finished product — it’s about the artistry, the storytelling, and the emotions we capture. But when the administrative side of the job takes over, we risk losing the very thing that drew us to this profession in the first place. Implementing AI photography culling isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about reclaiming time, ensuring we can focus on the creative aspects that truly matter.

Bottom Line On Leveraging AI For Photography Culling

By leveraging professional AI photography culling tools like Imagen, I’ve been able to shift my energy away from tedious, time-consuming tasks and back toward what I love most — creating powerful imagery and delivering an experience that my clients cherish. Efficiency isn’t just a business strategy; it’s a way to ensure we stay passionate, inspired, and able to sustain our craft without burnout.

For photographers looking to build a business that thrives without sacrificing creativity, AI culling is not just an option — it’s an investment in yourself, your work, and your future.

The Imagen Culling app has just recently gone out of BETA testing phase, and is now completely ready to put your photo culling workflow into overdrive!  

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With 17 years of experience in interior design photography, Dionel Lake, the owner and leading photographer of The MittenTog has mastered the art of capturing spaces with a keen eye for detail and a love for the unexpected. Her work is vibrant, colorful, and full of life, much like the people and places she photographs.