S3 Ep 10: The One Where AI Can't Steal Your Joy with Jon Cheney

The One Where AI Can't Steal Your Joy with Jon CheneyIn this episode, I sit down with Jon Cheney, founder and CEO of the General AI Proficiency Institute, to talk about what AI actually means for photographers and creatives — beyond the hype and the fear.Jon breaks down how AI is already working behind the scenes in your iPhone photos, how to use it to fix blown shots, remove distractions, and clean up editing work that used to eat up hours. We also get into the tools he actually uses day to day, why different AI platforms can give you completely different answers to the same question, and the story behind how he built an entire business — one that would've cost $3.2 million and 18 months the traditional way — in a single weekend for $400.My favorite part of this conversation: Jon's take on why the joy of creating, and the stewardship that comes after, is something AI can never take from us.In this episode we cover:Why you're probably already using AI without realizing itUsing AI to fix framing issues, remove distractions, and clean up shotsHow to give your AI tools your own "voice" for writing and contentWhat Jon actually uses ChatGPT, Claude, and Replit for in his own businessWhy AI platforms can give wildly different answers depending on how they're trainedHow Jon built a business in a weekend for $400Why creativity and stewardship are uniquely human, no matter how good AI gets0:00 Intro 2:14 Who is Jon Cheney? From tech-lover to AI founder 4:42 You're already using AI (yes, even on your iPhone) 5:10 Jon's Alaska story: fixing a blown photo with AI 7:34 Removing distractions — cars, trees, tan lines, blemishes 9:34 Why AI just makes creatives faster, not less creative 10:54 What AI can take off a photographer's plate (admin, emails, scheduling) 13:00 Vibe coding explained: how Jon uses Replit 16:17 Giving AI "your voice" for writing and content 19:00 Will photographers get left behind if they ignore AI? 22:25 Jon's business and course offer (with your discount code) 24:54 ChatGPT vs. Claude vs. Replit vs. Midjourney — what Jon uses for what 30:54 Why different AI platforms give different answers 36:13 Spotting AI content and being transparent about your process 40:00 The future of photography and why AI can't fake real creativity 42:48 Creation vs. stewardship — the part AI can never replace 44:49 How Jon built a $3.2M business in one weekend for $400 48:23 Jon's advice: the first AI tool to try if you're starting from zero 53:00 Rapid fire questions 57:47 Shoutout to Jon's mom, Carolyn Cheney (1.1M followers!) 59:03 Where to find Jon and wrap-upEvoto — my go-to AI editing tool for things like skin retouching, tan lines, and blemish removal. Get free credits to try it for yourself here: katedecostephotography.com/form/the-one-where-you-get-evotoConnect with Jon Cheney:LinkedIn: Jon CheneyInstagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, YouTube: @CheneyPianoCourse: "How to Build a Business in a Weekend" at GenAIPI.org — use code KATE for $350 off https://genaipi.org/live-courses/1Follow his mom, Carolyn Cheney, a nature photographer with 1.1 million followers