AI vs Photographer: Which is Better for E-commerce?

The debate between AI-generated product photos and traditional photography is heating up in the e-commerce world. Both approaches have their merits, and the best choice depends on your specific needs.

Cost Comparison

Traditional photography can cost $50-$500+ per product, depending on complexity. AI-generated images cost a fraction of that - typically under $1 per image when buying credits in bulk.

Speed

AI wins hands down on speed. You can get a professional product image in 30-60 seconds. Traditional photography requires scheduling, shooting, editing, and can take days or weeks.

Quality

Modern AI models produce stunning results that rival professional photography for product images. However, for complex lifestyle shots or unique artistic requirements, a photographer might still have the edge.

Consistency

AI provides perfect consistency. Every image follows the same style and quality standards. With photographers, results can vary based on the photographer, lighting conditions, and other factors.

Scalability

AI scales effortlessly. Need 100 product images? No problem. With photography, scaling means more time, more cost, and more complexity.

When to Use Each

Use AI when:

• You need many product images quickly
• Budget is a concern
• You want consistent style across products
• You're selling standard products that don't require unique artistic vision

Use a photographer when:

• You need complex lifestyle photography
• You have unique artistic requirements
• You need images of people using your products
• You have a large budget and time for the process

For most Amazon sellers, AI-generated product photos offer the best balance of quality, cost, and speed.