Learning AI Without Losing Your Voice: Tools, Ethics, and Creative Choice
Learning AI Without Losing Your Voice: Tools, Ethics, and Creative Choice
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With portrait photographer Sarah Deragon + Looking Glass Photo’s Jen Waicukauski
Details
-
Date: TBD
-
Time: TBD (3 hours)
-
Location: Looking Glass Photo Classroom
Why We’re Teaching This (a note from your co-teacher, Sarah Deragon)
I’ve been teaching workshops at Looking Glass for a while now, and lately one question keeps coming up: “What do I do about AI?”
For a lot of photographers, AI feels confusing, controversial, or even threatening. That reaction makes sense. These tools arrived fast, loudly, and without much care for the people expected to make sense of them.
Here’s what we believe: curiosity doesn’t mean surrender. And learning something new doesn’t mean you have to use it—or like it.
Jen and I decided to teach AI for Photographers because the best way to understand any tool is in the company of people you trust, in a space where real questions are welcome. You’re not behind. You don’t need to be tech-savvy. And you don’t have to decide how you feel about AI before you walk in the door.
We’re both photographers. We use these tools in our real work—not as replacements for seeing, but as ways to test ideas, remove friction, and understand what’s actually possible (and what isn’t).
In this class, we’ll slow things down. We’ll show you what tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Adobe Firefly actually do, what they cost, and where they fall short. We’ll work through real examples together—live, step by step—so nothing feels abstract or hidden.
We’ll also talk about the hard parts: ethics, copyright, authorship, and where each of us draws our own line. Those conversations matter. You deserve to feel informed and empowered to make your own choices.
This class isn’t about becoming an AI expert. It’s about clarity. It’s about understanding the landscape well enough to decide what belongs in your creative life—and what doesn’t.
Bring your laptop if you want. Bring your questions. Bring your skepticism. We’re looking forward to learning together.
What this class is
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative world—but for many photographers, it still feels mysterious, overwhelming, or loaded with ethical questions. This workshop is a calm, beginner-friendly way to get oriented without hype, pressure, or jargon.
Co-taught by Sarah and Jen, Learning AI Without Losing Your Voice is designed to help you understand the tools people keep mentioning—what they actually do, what they cost, what they’re good at, where they fall short, and how photographers are using them (or choosing not to).
This is not a “convert you to AI” class. It’s a clarity class. You’ll leave with a working mental map of the landscape—and a grounded sense of what belongs in your creative life.
What you’ll learn
1) The big picture: what these tools are (and aren’t)
-
What “AI” means in today’s creative tools (in plain language)
-
A practical overview of the major platforms we’ll touch: **OpenAI ChatGPT, Midjourney Midjourney, AdobeAdobe Firefly, and Google Gemini
-
What they’re commonly used for in photography workflows—and what’s still clunky or unreliable
2) Prompting basics for photographers
-
How to write prompts that produce useful results (not just random novelty)
-
Exploring lighting ideas, mood, styling, concepts, and visual direction without needing to be “technical”
-
How to iterate thoughtfully so the tool supports your intention (instead of steering it)
3) AI and your own photos
-
What tools like Firefly/Gemini can do with real images (enhancement, variations, object removal, quick concept drafts, etc.)
-
When “fast AI edits” are great—and when they create artifacts, issues, or more work later
4) ChatGPT as a creative partner (not a replacement)
-
Using ChatGPT to generate shoot ideas, refine creative constraints, and break through stuck points
-
Getting help with captions, artist statements, project framing, and critique-style reflection
-
Turning a vague idea into a plan you can actually execute
5) Ethics, copyright, authorship, and personal boundaries
-
The real concerns: training data, rights, consent, authorship, and impact
-
How different photographers draw different lines—and how to define yours
-
Practical “decision filters” you can use after class to stay aligned with your values
6) Live demos + real-time Q&A
This workshop is designed to feel human and transparent. We’ll do live, step-by-step examples and pause for questions so nothing stays abstract or mysterious.
Who this is for
-
Photographers who want a clear, encouraging introduction to AI—without jargon
-
Creatives who feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools out there
-
Artists who are curious but cautious (or skeptical!) and want real information
-
Anyone who wants to learn with others in a supportive, no-judgment space
-
Photographers who want to experiment while staying true to their voice
What to bring
-
Laptop or tablet (optional but helpful)
-
Your curiosity, your questions, and your honest opinions
-
Skepticism is welcome here—seriously
About the instructors
Sarah Deragon
Sarah Deragon is a portrait photographer and creative educator known for her joyful, inclusive approach to image-making. With a background in both photography and community arts, she has spent more than a decade helping people express their truest selves in front of–and behind–the camera. Sarah has taught thousands of students, always with the same core belief: you don’t need to be an expert to make meaningful work. Her classes are welcoming, curiosity-driven, and packed with real-world insights that empower photographers to trust their voice, embrace experimentation, and have fun along the way.
Jen Waicukauski
Jen Waicukauski is the owner of Looking Glass Photo and a naturalist photographer with a deep love for the living world. Her teaching blends technical clarity with a grounded, soulful approach to creativity—inviting photographers to slow down, look closely, and build meaningful relationships with the subjects they photograph. With more than 20 years of experience guiding photographers of all levels, Jen is known for making complex ideas feel accessible, practical, and rooted in real-life image making. Her passion for community, conservation, and visual storytelling shapes everything she teaches, from bird photography to creative process to the role of technology in today’s evolving landscape.
Description
Description
With portrait photographer Sarah Deragon + Looking Glass Photo’s Jen Waicukauski
Details
-
Date: TBD
-
Time: TBD (3 hours)
-
Location: Looking Glass Photo Classroom
Why We’re Teaching This (a note from your co-teacher, Sarah Deragon)
I’ve been teaching workshops at Looking Glass for a while now, and lately one question keeps coming up: “What do I do about AI?”
For a lot of photographers, AI feels confusing, controversial, or even threatening. That reaction makes sense. These tools arrived fast, loudly, and without much care for the people expected to make sense of them.
Here’s what we believe: curiosity doesn’t mean surrender. And learning something new doesn’t mean you have to use it—or like it.
Jen and I decided to teach AI for Photographers because the best way to understand any tool is in the company of people you trust, in a space where real questions are welcome. You’re not behind. You don’t need to be tech-savvy. And you don’t have to decide how you feel about AI before you walk in the door.
We’re both photographers. We use these tools in our real work—not as replacements for seeing, but as ways to test ideas, remove friction, and understand what’s actually possible (and what isn’t).
In this class, we’ll slow things down. We’ll show you what tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Adobe Firefly actually do, what they cost, and where they fall short. We’ll work through real examples together—live, step by step—so nothing feels abstract or hidden.
We’ll also talk about the hard parts: ethics, copyright, authorship, and where each of us draws our own line. Those conversations matter. You deserve to feel informed and empowered to make your own choices.
This class isn’t about becoming an AI expert. It’s about clarity. It’s about understanding the landscape well enough to decide what belongs in your creative life—and what doesn’t.
Bring your laptop if you want. Bring your questions. Bring your skepticism. We’re looking forward to learning together.
What this class is
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative world—but for many photographers, it still feels mysterious, overwhelming, or loaded with ethical questions. This workshop is a calm, beginner-friendly way to get oriented without hype, pressure, or jargon.
Co-taught by Sarah and Jen, Learning AI Without Losing Your Voice is designed to help you understand the tools people keep mentioning—what they actually do, what they cost, what they’re good at, where they fall short, and how photographers are using them (or choosing not to).
This is not a “convert you to AI” class. It’s a clarity class. You’ll leave with a working mental map of the landscape—and a grounded sense of what belongs in your creative life.
What you’ll learn
1) The big picture: what these tools are (and aren’t)
-
What “AI” means in today’s creative tools (in plain language)
-
A practical overview of the major platforms we’ll touch: **OpenAI ChatGPT, Midjourney Midjourney, AdobeAdobe Firefly, and Google Gemini
-
What they’re commonly used for in photography workflows—and what’s still clunky or unreliable
2) Prompting basics for photographers
-
How to write prompts that produce useful results (not just random novelty)
-
Exploring lighting ideas, mood, styling, concepts, and visual direction without needing to be “technical”
-
How to iterate thoughtfully so the tool supports your intention (instead of steering it)
3) AI and your own photos
-
What tools like Firefly/Gemini can do with real images (enhancement, variations, object removal, quick concept drafts, etc.)
-
When “fast AI edits” are great—and when they create artifacts, issues, or more work later
4) ChatGPT as a creative partner (not a replacement)
-
Using ChatGPT to generate shoot ideas, refine creative constraints, and break through stuck points
-
Getting help with captions, artist statements, project framing, and critique-style reflection
-
Turning a vague idea into a plan you can actually execute
5) Ethics, copyright, authorship, and personal boundaries
-
The real concerns: training data, rights, consent, authorship, and impact
-
How different photographers draw different lines—and how to define yours
-
Practical “decision filters” you can use after class to stay aligned with your values
6) Live demos + real-time Q&A
This workshop is designed to feel human and transparent. We’ll do live, step-by-step examples and pause for questions so nothing stays abstract or mysterious.
Who this is for
-
Photographers who want a clear, encouraging introduction to AI—without jargon
-
Creatives who feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools out there
-
Artists who are curious but cautious (or skeptical!) and want real information
-
Anyone who wants to learn with others in a supportive, no-judgment space
-
Photographers who want to experiment while staying true to their voice
What to bring
-
Laptop or tablet (optional but helpful)
-
Your curiosity, your questions, and your honest opinions
-
Skepticism is welcome here—seriously
About the instructors
Sarah Deragon
Sarah Deragon is a portrait photographer and creative educator known for her joyful, inclusive approach to image-making. With a background in both photography and community arts, she has spent more than a decade helping people express their truest selves in front of–and behind–the camera. Sarah has taught thousands of students, always with the same core belief: you don’t need to be an expert to make meaningful work. Her classes are welcoming, curiosity-driven, and packed with real-world insights that empower photographers to trust their voice, embrace experimentation, and have fun along the way.
Jen Waicukauski
Jen Waicukauski is the owner of Looking Glass Photo and a naturalist photographer with a deep love for the living world. Her teaching blends technical clarity with a grounded, soulful approach to creativity—inviting photographers to slow down, look closely, and build meaningful relationships with the subjects they photograph. With more than 20 years of experience guiding photographers of all levels, Jen is known for making complex ideas feel accessible, practical, and rooted in real-life image making. Her passion for community, conservation, and visual storytelling shapes everything she teaches, from bird photography to creative process to the role of technology in today’s evolving landscape.
