AI vs. Authenticity: Keeping Food Content Real in an AI-Heavy World
AI is having its main character moment right now. It’s everywhere — writing scripts, generating visuals, editing videos, and sometimes trying to do our jobs.
And hey, I’ll admit. I actually use AI every day at MisaHungry Media, and I love it.
But here’s the thing: while AI helps me move faster and explore new ideas, it can never replace feeling. The warmth of light on a latte, the messiness of melting chocolate, or the personality behind your brand story, those things can’t be generated. They have to be created.
How I Actually Use AI (and Why It Works)
I like to think of AI as my creative sidekick—it’s smart, fast, and full of ideas, but I’m still the director.
Whenever I’m building a shot list for a campaign, AI helps me generate fresh ideas or visualize early concepts so my clients can “see” what I’m envisioning before we even start shooting. It’s like having a second brain that never sleeps. But at the end of the day, it’s still my hands, my camera, and my creative instinct that bring those visuals to life.
For instance, during post-production, I love using Photoshop’s AI cleanup tools to speed up the editing process. It’s great for removing dust, adjusting reflections, or polishing food photography for CPG brands. But when it comes to the finer touches—the texture of melted chocolate, the glow of a latte under warm light—that’s where I step in.
I never let AI take over. Because perfection without personality? That’s just not my thing.
The “Almost-Perfect” Problem
The truth is, AI is impressive, but it’s not flawless.
Sometimes, I’ll try to use it to fix a detail in a photo, and the result just… doesn’t feel right. The reflection looks fake, or the texture feels too smooth. That’s when I go old school—manual edits, real lighting tweaks, good old patience (and a cup of matcha).
Food isn’t flawless — and that’s what makes it beautiful. A splash here, a crumb there, a reflection caught in motion — those are the things that make your brand imagery feel genuine. They remind people there’s a human behind the lens (and maybe a few snacks stolen between takes). That’s the kind of authenticity AI can’t replicate, and that’s what people connect with.
Why “Real” Still Wins
Sure, AI can make eye-catching food images in seconds. But will your audience believe it?
AI is a brilliant creative assistant — but it doesn’t have instincts, taste, or emotion. People crave connection, and that comes from something real, not something rendered. A genuine stop motion video of melting caramel or a behind-the-scenes shot of a messy kitchen tells a story that polished perfection never could.
That’s the sweet spot I aim for—where technology supports creativity, not replaces it. My clients don’t just want beautiful visuals; they want brand imagery that feels human, warm, and true to their story. I want each image to make people crave your brand, not question if it’s real.
Finding the Sweet Spot
The goal isn’t to pick sides between AI and authenticity. It’s about knowing when to let technology help and when to let the heart take over.
Yes, AI is powerful — but it can’t replace passion.
I don’t see it as a threat. I see it as a tool that helps me do what I love even better: helping food and beverage brands tell stories that taste real. Because in a world full of filters and fakes, authenticity will always be the secret ingredient.
At MisaHungry Media, I help CPG brands tell stories that blend the best of both worlds: AI-assisted precision and human-crafted creativity. From product photography and stop motion videography to full brand photography campaigns, every image we create is meant to feel as good as it looks.
