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Welcome to the latest issue of SeniorInspire the Newsletter!

I’ll be honest—this whole revamp of the newsletter has taken me a minute to figure out. But I think I’m finally hitting my stride… and dare I say, I'm actually excited about the new things being rolled out in this issue!

This week, I’m kicking things off with two brand-new features—and if all goes well, you’ll be seeing them pop up regularly.

First up: Ask Nick Anything. Yep, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Got a burning question about photography, business, marketing—or hey, even your questionable dating decisions?

Reply to this email with your question and I might just answer it in a future issue. No promises, but the weirder the better.

Today we're going to start this new feature with a question about writing better AI Prompts - something we should all be thinking about.

Then there’s Why I Love This Image, a spotlight on some of my all-time favorite senior photos from the past 10 years of SeniorInspire. These are the images that stopped me in my tracks, made me smile, or just plain nailed it—and there are a lot of them.

Today we're going kick off Why I Love This Image with a truly incredible image you won't want to miss from David Beckham. Just scroll down to read all about it.

Alright, can’t wait to share these new features with you. So, let’s dive in!

Let's try something new...

I'm going to use this space going forward to answer some of the questions you send me.

Whether you have questions about photography, marketing, dealing with seniors or even your love life, just reply to this email and let me know your question. I'll try to answer as many as I can in future issues of SeniorInpire the Newsletter.

To get things started, I'm going to answer this recent question someone sent me about using AI and ChatGPT in particular...

Q: I don’t feel like I’m getting great output from ChatGPT. What are some tricks I can use to write better prompts?

A: Great question! ChatGPT has a lot of uses for photographers, but it works best when you give it clear instructions. If you just say, “Write me an Instagram caption,” it’ll do something, but probably NOT something you’ll love.

Here are a few simple tricks senior photographers can use to get much better results from ChatGPT - whether you're writing marketing copy, brainstorming blog posts, or even responding to clients.

1. 🎯 Start With a Clear Purpose

Begin your prompt by stating what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you writing a blog post? A caption? A pricing guide? ChatGPT can do a lot - but only if it knows what you want.

Instead of:

“Help me with marketing.”

Try:

“I’m a senior photographer writing an email to moms of high school juniors who haven’t booked yet. I want the tone to be friendly but also create urgency.”

This gives ChatGPT direction - what it’s doing, who it’s for, and how it should sound.

2. 🧭 Tell It Who You’re Talking To

Audience is everything. A caption meant for high school seniors will sound completely different than one written for their parents. Let ChatGPT know who the target is.

Example:

“Write an Instagram caption that speaks to high school seniors who are excited about summer and want a fun, fashionable photo session before school starts.”

You’ll get results that feel way more on-brand than just saying, “Write a caption.”

3. 🎭 Name the Tone or Voice You Want

Don’t be afraid to ask for a certain vibe. Want something casual? Witty? Polished? Even better - mention a public figure or personality whose style you like. (Yes, ChatGPT knows who Ryan Reynolds and Robert Downey Jr are.)

Example:

“Rewrite this website bio in the voice of Ryan Reynolds - dry humor, low-key confident, not salesy.”

That one tweak can take a flat prompt and make it sound like you.

4. 📸 Add Details - Even If They Seem Obvious

This is huge when you're writing about photos. Describe what’s in the image, the lighting, the mood, the location - whatever matters.

Instead of:

“Help me write a caption for this senior.”

Try:

“Write a caption for a high school senior named Ava, photographed at golden hour in a sunflower field. She’s twirling in a flowy dress and laughing.”

Details help ChatGPT see what you see—and that makes for better output.

5. ✍️ Give It a Starting Point

ChatGPT is great at punching things up. If you already wrote something, even if it’s rough, paste it in and say:

“Can you rewrite this to be more fun and conversational?”

Or: “Make this sound more polished but still friendly and relaxed.”

This works better than starting from scratch and saves you time.

6. 🔁 Treat It Like a Conversation

You can go back and forth. If the first response isn’t great, try:

“Make this shorter.”

“Use simpler language.”

“Can you write three different versions?”

“That’s close - can you try it with a more excited tone?”

ChatGPT improves with feedback, just like a good assistant would.

7. 🧠 Use This Prompt Template When You're Stuck

Here’s a quick structure you can copy/paste and tweak:

“I’m a senior photographer trying to [goal]. I need help writing [type of content] for [audience]. The tone should be [adjective or style reference]. Can you give me a few ideas to start?”

That one formula can cover captions, emails, blog posts, bios - whatever you need.

Final Thought...

The better your prompt, the better the results. It’s not about writing long prompts - it’s about writing clear ones. Think of ChatGPT like your assistant who doesn’t know much about your business until you explain it. Be specific, talk like you would to a second shooter, and don’t be afraid to ask for revisions.

Want more advanced tips about AI? Or looking for something more specific?  Hit reply and ask me - I’d love try to answer you in a future issue.

Until next time...

Hey, quick question—are you a teaching senior photographer with a workshop coming up?

Because if so, I've got a little something that might help.

SeniorInspire the Newsletter goes out to about 2,500 senior photographers, and over half of them actually open it. I know—kind of surprising, right?

Anyway, if you’ve got a workshop on the horizon, I’d love to help you spread the word. NO CHARGE - No strings.

Just send me the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might want in.

Simple as that.

Introducing: Why I Love This Image

After a decade of showcasing the best in senior photography — both in SeniorInspire the Magazine and on our Instagram feed — I thought it was time to shine a spotlight on a few standout images that have stuck with me over the years.

Each edition of this feature will highlight one image from the hundreds (let’s be honest, probably thousands) we've published, taken by talented senior photographers from all over the country. I’ll share a few thoughts on what makes each photo special — whether it’s a killer expression, perfect lighting, or just that unexplainable it factor. These are the images that made me stop scrolling, flip back a page, or just sit back and say, “Wow.”

So, let's start today with this image from our friend, David Beckham. You know that feeling when you see a photo and it just… clicks? That was me with this image.

We've all known for a long time that David Beckham is a ridiculously talented senior photographer, but this image right here? It stopped me in my tracks.

First off, let’s talk about the lighting. David went with soft, clean light here — and it’s chef’s kiss perfect. It adds just enough shadow to sculpt the senior’s face in a way that feels both polished and effortless. It’s one of those choices that separates a good image from a great one. You look at it and go, “Yep. This guy knows what he’s doing.”

But what really makes this portrait shine for me is the hand posing. Hands can be tricky, right? One wrong finger angle and suddenly your subject looks like they’re doing amateur shadow puppets. But here, the hand placement is so natural, so clean, it actually adds to the personality of the image without ever pulling focus. That kind of detail is no accident — it’s experience.

Then there’s the color palette. The blacks. The whites. The clean coordination between the wardrobe and the background. Everything is singing in harmony, and it’s not just visually appealing — it’s emotionally cohesive. The image feels intentional without ever feeling forced. It’s got that perfect balance between professional polish and playful spontaneity.

And speaking of playful… this image has vibe. There’s a looseness to it. A sense that the senior was actually having fun, the kind of fun that comes from working with a photographer who knows how to bring the best out of their subject. That kind of energy is contagious, and it radiates from this photo.

Lastly, let’s talk about that expression. It’s straight, but not even a little bit mean. It’s genuine. It’s got personality. It makes you wonder what was said just before the shutter clicked — and that little bit of mystery? That’s the magic.

David shot this in his studio in Ohio, and to me, it’s a masterclass in what can happen when all the elements align — lighting, posing, wardrobe, expression, and that extra X factor you can’t quite put your finger on. It’s the kind of image that doesn’t just show you what someone looks like — it gives you a glimpse of who they are.

So yeah, that’s why I love this image.

In conclusion...

I'm going to leave you with a fun, little bonus ChatGPT tip that some might find slightly alarming:

You can actually name your ChatGPT bot. Seriously! Did you know that?

I named mine Scout and now she signs off every message with her name, like she’s signing autographs after a TED Talk. 

But please don't tell her I named her after my dog. She may come after me when the robots take over... 🤖

Nick
SeniorInspire

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