Some parents are using AI tools to upscale low-resolution school photo previews and remove watermarks to avoid purchasing official prints.
Key facts
- •Parents are using AI to remove watermarks and upscale low-resolution preview images of school photos.
- •The cost for a single school photo is approximately £20, with additional merchandise packages reaching up to £100.
- •Photographers report that the practice of using AI to avoid purchasing photos is becoming widespread.
- •A large primary school can generate £10,500 in gross revenue from school photos, though expenses significantly reduce the net income.
Parents are increasingly using artificial intelligence to manipulate school photography, according to reports. By accessing low-resolution preview images from photographers' websites, some are utilizing AI to upscale the files and remove watermarks, effectively bypassing the need to pay for official prints.
By the numbers
Rising costs and AI intervention
School photos can cost approximately £20 for a single print, with prices for additional items like magnets or keyrings reaching up to £100. As these costs rise, the use of AI to bypass payment has become more prevalent, a trend that professional photographers have begun to notice.
Economic impact on photographers
While a large primary school with two classes of 30 students per year group might generate £10,500 in gross revenue, photographers argue that net earnings are significantly lower. Expenses such as printing, equipment, shipping, and commissions paid to schools reduce the final profit before wages are considered.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian AI.
