Should You Use AI To Write Your Copy as a Wedding Photographer?

With Jasmine Isabella of Cupid Copy

APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY

In this episode, we dive deep into the role of AI in copywriting for photographers with website copywriter and messaging strategist Jasmine Isabella. We explore what effective copywriting looks like, when AI tools can help, and when they might hinder your marketing efforts.

Meet Jasmine Isabella

Jasmine Isabella is a website copywriter and strategist. As the founder of Cupid Copy, a website copywriting studio, she helps female service providers streamline their sales by making their website their best sales assets and a tool for achieving their unique personal and professional goals.

Jasmine’s journey began with studies in English literature before she “fell down a rabbit hole of SEO” during the COVID pandemic. What started as freelance SEO blog writing eventually evolved into her specialized copywriting business focused on website copy (and the most adorable brand).

What Is Copywriting and Why Does It Matter for Photographers?

Jasmine defines copy simply as “communication” – the words you use to connect with your audience and promote your services. This includes text on your website, social media, emails, and any written content promoting what you do with an intended outcome.

While photographers naturally focus on images, Jasmine emphasizes that in today’s visual world, people seek the human element behind beautiful photos:

“The truth is we live in a super visual world and there are beautiful things at every corner, whether it’s Instagram or Pinterest. And what that means is people quickly become overwhelmed by the pretty and they’re starting to look for the human and the personal element behind it.”

Good copy helps you differentiate yourself in what can feel like an oversaturated market, showing potential clients why you’re the perfect match for them beyond just creating beautiful images.

AI Tools in Copywriting: Opportunity or Pitfall?

When discussing AI for copywriting, Jasmine takes a measured approach: AI should be treated as a tool, not a complete solution. “It isn’t a cheat sheet or an answer to all of our marketing and copy problems or requirements,” she explains. “It’s something that can help us through that process and can support us, but it shouldn’t be leading us.”

Her two biggest concerns about photographers using AI for copy are:

1. Lack of strategy and pre-work: Effective copy comes from knowing your ideal client, your brand differentiators, and utilizing proper copywriting techniques – work that happens before any writing begins.
2. Generic, non-original content: Without proper training, AI produces generic content that fails to highlight what makes you unique, potentially making you sound like every other photographer.

How to Use AI Effectively in Your Copywriting Process

While cautioning against over-reliance on AI, Jasmine acknowledges it can be helpful for:

• Organization and research: AI can help format and organize your thoughts
• Finding synonyms: It can quickly suggest alternative words
• Editing assistance: You can ask AI to review your copy for clarity or unnecessary words

However, she stresses that training AI to produce truly usable content takes significant time: “You’re probably going to spend double the time training it, relaying all this information, and then editing it and providing feedback… So it’s not a shortcut.”

Red Flags in AI-Generated Copy

How can you tell when copy sounds AI-generated? Jasmine highlights several common issues:

• Overuse of adjectives: AI tends to be overly descriptive in ways that don’t sound natural
• Too much content: AI often repeats itself or provides excessive copy
• Unnatural flow: The writing doesn’t sound conversational or human
• Lack of specificity: Without proper training, AI produces generic content that doesn’t target your ideal client or differentiate you from competitors

Alternative Approaches for Time-Strapped Photographers

For photographers who feel they don’t have time to write their own copy, Jasmine acknowledges the challenge but offers a reality check: “If you are the one woman show and you are promoting and selling your services, it’s kind of part of the job.”

Rather than turning to AI, she recommends looking inward to become attuned to your message and voice. A helpful tip is to use voice recording: “Literally say it how you would say it and record it on a voice recorder. And then you can use that in your copy.”

Developing Your Brand Voice

Before using any AI tools, Jasmine suggests photographers should develop a clear understanding of their brand voice by considering:

• How would your brand communicate if it were a person at a party?
• What message do you want to share with your audience?
• What do you believe in (and don’t believe in)?
• How do you want your clients to feel?

“You’re going to know that within yourself,” she explains, “and AI doesn’t need to give you the answer.”

Getting Started with Website Copy

For photographers wondering where to begin with their website copy, Jasmine recommends starting with the about page rather than the homepage:

“I always recommend starting with the about page because I feel like that is the one that you will feel most connected to. It really helps you lay out literally on paper who your brand is, and then it just feels really natural going to those other pages because you’re really rooted in identity.”

Final Encouragement for Photographers

For photographers feeling stuck with their copy, Jasmine offers this perspective: “I know it can feel like copy is a necessary evil, but it really is your superpower… it is how you communicate with your ideal client, it’s your opportunity to speak to them.”

She encourages photographers to make copywriting manageable based on their capacity and marketing strategy, and to remember that while AI can be a helpful tool, “You are gonna know your brand and your ideal client better than anyone.”

Connect with Jasmine Isabella of Cupid Copy

To learn more from Jasmine, you can find her at:

• Instagram and Threads: @cupidcopy
• Website: cupidcopy.co.uk
• Cupid’s Copy Companion
• Free Website Copy Outline

Connect With Logan of Mrs. Ferree Photography

For more photography business insights and resources:

• Learn about 1:1 mentorships with me, Logan Ferree, Colorado wedding photographer and mentor!
• Follow me on Instagram for more tips and interviews: @the.sundae.best
• Visit our show website for more episodes: thesundaebest.com

Thanks for joining me on The Sundae Best! New episodes drop every Sunday on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can join my email list if you’d like to receive these straight to your inbox!