Stewart CohenDirector/DP/Photographer, Stewart Cohen Pictures · Director/DP/Photographer @ Stewart Cohen Pictures | Film Production

Are Ad Agencies Actually Ready for AI?

17 Sept 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:37

In this monologue, Stewart Cohen examines how ad agencies are beginning to adopt AI, moving from using AI-generated mock‑ups for client presentations to fully owning AI‑created imagery. He argues that AI will dramatically disrupt the traditional still‑photography segment of advertising, leaving only niche areas—particularly event and wedding photography—relatively insulated. Cohen predicts a future premium for content captured with real people in authentic settings without digital retouching, as audiences may value genuine, unedited visuals. He also notes a cultural shift among younger creators who are embracing point‑and‑shoot film cameras, suggesting a nostalgic revival that could influence future visual trends. Overall, the talk balances concern over AI‑driven displacement with optimism for certain photography niches and emerging aesthetic preferences.

Chapters

Ad agencies have not been using AI, right? But yet they've been, they've been using AI for, say, their comps that they're presenting to their clients. And that's what we see before we take on a project. But I think once everybody feels comfortable in that, they're able to own the AI imagery that they're creating. Mm-hmm. I think the, at least the still photography world is really going to take a huge hit. I mean, the people that are going to remain in the still photography world are going to be the people doing events like weddings. And which, it's really funny because we always looked at, at that world as somewhat the stepchildren to the advertising world, you know. Right. But all of a sudden the advertising world is really getting kind of a lot of pressure on it, and the wedding world is— they're not going anywhere. They're doing better than ever. You know, at what point does the pendulum swing and there will be a premium for content that was created with real people in real places with no retouching? You know, and if you think about it, you know, these, um, uh, these youngsters today, they're, you know, they're going out and they're using point-and-shoot film cameras. So And it's not even that long ago, you know? And I have guys that work for me. It's like, oh no, I got a film camera and this is great. And I'm like, dude, you— I'm— the way I look at it is like, you could have it, but, um, yeah, it's cool again, you know? Of course.