Editing is hands down one of the biggest time sucks for photographers. Whether you love it, tolerate it, or dread it (hello, that’s me), we can probably agree: the time it takes to cull, color correct, and polish a gallery can eat up hours of your week, and your life. That’s why you’re searching for an Imagen AI Review, right?
As a business coach for photographers (and Dallas photographer myself!), one of the very first things I encourage photographers to outsource is editing. For years, I used a trusted human editor (whom I loved!). She would do the heavy lifting, and I’d put the finishing touches on the gallery to match my exact style. And while she was great, there were times that I was faced with a longer turnaround time and galleries that required consistent communication. It was better than editing myself… but not quite as seamless as I hoped it could be.
Enter: Imagen AI.
In this Imagen AI review, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I use this AI powered tool in my workflow, what it does and doesn’t do, and why it’s been a complete game changer for my time, energy, and business. A quick teaser: I’m saving 9–12 hours a week. That’s not a typo.
Before we dive in though, hi! I’m Sabrina a lifestyle family and newborn photographer based in DFW, and a business coach for photographers who want to grow sustainable, joy-filled businesses. Using Imagen AI has freed up so much of my time, and I want the same for you!
Why Editing Is the First Thing to Outsource
First, a little tough love. If you’re still editing every gallery from scratch, you’re burning time you could be spending with your family, growing your business, or honestly, doing something you love more than sitting at your computer for hours.
Editing used to take me 3–4 hours per session. Multiply that by 3 sessions per week during busy season, and I was losing 9–12 hours weekly. For a slow, methodical editor like me, that was a major energy drain. I was amazed at how much time I saved once I started outsourcing to a human editor, but when I switched to an AI editor it was a true game-changer. And while Imagen AI isn’t the first AI editing tool I’ve tried, it has been the one I’ve stuck with (and enthusiastically recommend to anyone who will listen!).
My Experience with Imagen AI
When I first heard about Imagen AI and other AI editing tools, I was skeptical. How could a tool, even a smart one, know how I like my photos to look? Could it really replace the detail of a human touch?
The short answer is not entirely. But it gets really close.
Here’s how it works:
- I upload my RAW files.
- Imagen applies my personal AI profile based on how I’ve edited past galleries.
- It gets the edits 90% of the way there.
- I do a quick sweep to fine tune, usually minor tweaks, occasional masking, or cloning out distractions.
And just like that, I’ve saved hours.
Want more support growing your photography business and thinking like a true CEO? Check out my photography business blueprint or get on the waitlist for my Root to Rise Mastermind for tips on building a sustainable and thriving photography business!
Imagen AI Review: What Makes It So Effective?
Like I mentioned above, this wasn’t the first software I tried that promised to shave off hours of work for me every week. But here’s what truly makes Imagen AI different.
1. Personal AI Editing Profiles
You can create a personal AI profile by uploading at least 3,000 images across past catalogs. Imagen learns your style, like advanced presets that actually adjust for lighting, white balance, exposure, and contrast based on the image’s conditions.
If you’re not ready to build your own, you can:
- Try a lite profile (based on a preset + quick survey)
- Use a talent profile from a well known photographer (great if you’re still figuring out your editing style or want to experiment)
2. AI Culling (NEW!)
Culling is another pain point for photographers, and Imagen recently added AI-powered culling to its feature list. It flags:
- Duplicates
- Closed eyes
- Blurry shots
- Missed focus
You still get full control, but Imagen makes your selections easier by showing the best version of each moment. And for now, this feature is in free beta for all users!
3. Finishing Tools in Lightroom
Listen, I said this would be an honest Imagen AI review, so I’m not going to act like you can just run your photos through the software and send them off to your clients. I still do some polishing after Imagen works its magic like AI masking and Lightroom’s subject removal tool (both of which I love). These small tweaks add that final pop while still saving me hours overall.
How Much Does Imagen AI Cost?
Another reason I love Imagen AI is for the flexible pricing (that actually makes sense for most photographers). At the time of writing, it breaks down to:
- $0.05 per image for basic edits (color, exposure, tone)
- Add-ons like cropping, straightening, or masking cost just $0.01 per image each
- $7/month minimum (your payment becomes credit if unused)
- Optional: AI Culling Studio for faster image selection is ~$12/month (billed annually) or $18/month (monthly)
They also offer discounted annual plans if you edit in high volume. Compared to human editors (who often charge $0.15–$0.30/image), Imagen AI is a huge time + money saver.
Want a little extra? Use my partner link for 1,500 free edits to try it out risk-free!
Extra Cool Features Worth Mentioning
This wouldn’t be a full Imagen AI review without calling out some of their other standout tools:
- Straightening: My personal favorite because you know that I like to Shoot it Straight 😉
- Cropping, skin smoothing, and teeth whitening: Available if you want to include them!
- Cloud storage: Edits + RAWs are backed up without taking up your hard drive space.
- Profile shop: You can purchase editing styles from other pros in the profile shop, perfect if you’re unsure of your style or want to explore something new.
- Real estate and portrait specific features: If you shoot beyond families, Imagen’s got you covered there too.
Check out my Tools & Resources page for special discounts on all the business tools I personally use and love!
FAQs About Using Imagen AI
Last but not least, let’s tackle some common questions photographers ask when considering Imagen AI:
Q: Is it better than a human editor?
Not better, but different. A good human editor understands detail. But Imagen is faster, more affordable, and incredibly consistent. I still do some light touch ups, but it’s wildly helpful.
Q: What if I don’t have a solid editing style yet?
Start with a talent profile or a lite profile. You can evolve it over time as your style solidifies.
Q: Is culling really helpful?
YES. Especially in busy seasons. Even if you don’t let Imagen choose everything, it drastically narrows your options so you don’t waste hours second guessing.
Q: What’s the learning curve like?
It’s super intuitive. I was up and running in a day. You can preview before finalizing edits too.
The Time Savings? Game Changing.
I’m not being dramatic when I say Imagen AI gave me back my time.
That 3–4 hours per session I used to spend editing? I now spend 20–30 minutes max, just fine tuning. In my busiest seasons, that’s 9–12 hours per week I get back for client care, creative projects, coaching, or, you know, rest.
So if you’re buried in your editing queue right now and wondering if there’s a better way? Now you know that there is.
Final Thoughts: My Honest Imagen AI Review
If you’re building a photography business that supports your life, not drains it, then Imagen AI deserves a place in your workflow.
No, it’s not magic. But it’s pretty close. Think of it as your ultimate post production sidekick, saving you time, energy, and sanity without ever leaving Lightroom. You still get the final say. You still infuse your personal style. But you do it faster, with less stress and more freedom.
Ready to Try Imagen AI for Yourself?
I’ve partnered with Imagen AI to give you 1,500 free edits when you sign up with my referral link:
Seriously, give it a shot. I think you’re going to love how it feels to breathe again.
Want more honest tools and workflow tips like this? Join my email list or come hang out on Instagram, And, If you ever want to chat, I’m always here. Whether you’ve got questions or just need a little encouragement, don’t hesitate to reach out, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. I love cheering on photographers like you!
