Everything you need to know to turn AI Into Your Assistant: Master Mindful Prompting
Yβall know I love my productivity systems! Iβd love to have an honest heart to heart about the controversial topic of AI (Artificial Intelligence). So lets dive in:
What Even IS AI & ChatGPT tho?
Letβs kick it off by answering the question on everyoneβs mind: "What the heck even IS ChatGPT?" If youβve heard the hype but still feel like itβs just some mysterious tech thing everyone else somehow understands... youβre not alone.
Imagine if Google and your favorite helpful bestie had a baby β but instead of giving you a list of links to sift through, she gives you direct answers, custom ideas, and even helps you write stuff when your brain is tired. Thatβs ChatGPT. Itβs an AI tool that writes with you, like a creative assistant you donβt have to put on payroll.
It runs on something called an LLM (Large Language Model), which is just the techy engine behind the scenes. Think: ChatGPT is the brand, like Kleenex. LLM is the tissue. One is the product, the other is the tech powering it. So when people say ChatGPT is βAI,β they mean itβs a product that uses AI tech to chat, write, brainstorm, and more.
β¨ TAKEAWAY
ChatGPT is basically your content co-pilot. It's not going to replace you (and it shouldnβt). But it can help you get unstuck, plan content faster, and write in your voice β when you know how to ask it the right things. Donβt worry, weβll get to that part soon.
π TRY THIS
Pop into ChatGPT and say something like: "Hey bestie, Iβm a photographer trying to grow my brand online. Can you give me 5 Instagram post ideas that feel fun, aligned with my vibe, and easy to write when Iβm overwhelmed?"
Then scroll through what it gives you. Does anything spark an idea? Do you feel like itβs close, but not quite? Thatβs totally normal: itβs a starting point, not a final product.
AI and Environmental Mindfulness
Donβt be fooled: AI is amazing but it is also energy-intensive.
Every AI interaction uses significant computational power, translating to higher energy usage compared to a regular Google search (sometimes 10β30 times more!). This isn't to shame anyone for using AI; itβs about gently nudging ourselves to be more mindful and intentional with our AI use.
Research highlights that even our small interactions add up to significant environmental impactβthink massive data centers requiring tons of electricity and water. But don't panic! You have the power to make choices that blend productivity with sustainability beautifully.
How to Use AI Sustainably
Mindful AI Usage
Start by asking yourself in your brain, "Does this task genuinely need AI?" Traditional methods like a google search or critical thinking might just suffice: helping you save energy and stay eco-friendly. Reserve your AI magic for when your brain truly needs a break or when a creative spark is needed ASAP.
Efficient Prompting = Less Energy Use
Prompt engineeringβcrafting precise, detailed promptsβcan significantly reduce AI's energy footprint. Think of prompts like coffee orders: vague orders get mixed results, clear orders get exactly what you need. Include specifics (role, audience, purpose, context, and desired tone) to ensure the AI gets it right the first time, reducing unnecessary energy-draining revisions.
Prompt Formula Cheat Sheet:
Role ("Act like a social media proβ¦")
Audience ("Busy moms considering boudoir sessionsβ¦")
Topic + Purpose ("Promote my Spring 2025 mini-sessionsβ¦")
Context + Details ("Sessions are body-positive, inclusiveβ¦")
Tone + Format ("Warm, conversational Instagram captionβ¦")
CTA ("Join my VIP Facebook group today!")
Choose the Right AI Model
Smaller, specialized AI models like Grok AI or DeepSeek can handle tasks efficiently and use significantly less energy compared to general giants like GPT-4. Picking the right AI model for your tasks is like choosing the right lensβselect the one designed specifically for your goal.
Hardware & Cloud Choices
Support cloud services powered by renewable energy. Providers like Google and Microsoft actively invest in green energy and optimize their servers to be eco-friendly. Simply choosing the right cloud provider can meaningfully decrease your environmental impact.
Refining, Not Restarting
If AI responses initially feel "off," don't discardβrefine! Gently coach your AI intern:
"Make this warmer and more personal."
"Shorten this, please."
"Rewrite this like a caring bestie hyping up their friend."
Refinement saves energy, respects your mental bandwidth, and makes your collaboration smoother.
Train AI Like Your New Assistant
Consistency is key! Create a reusable doc (an "AI Prompt Kit") with:
Your brandβs voice description
Ideal client details
Effective prompts you've discovered
Signature phrases or CTAs you love
Reuse this toolkit to keep your AI interactions consistent and environmentally mindful.
ChatGPT ainβt Magic
Omg, something that trips so many people up when they first try using AI: they expect it to just... know things. Like itβs a psychic or mind reader or magical content fairy. Spoiler alert: itβs not.
ChatGPT is powerful, yes, but itβs also kind of a people-pleaser. It wants to give you what you ask for, but if your prompt is super vague or missing key info, itβll fill in the blanks β and not always in ways that feel aligned with your brand or goals.
π‘ WHAT THIS MEANS
Think of ChatGPT like a barista taking your order. If you just walk up and say, βCoffee,β youβre gonna get whatever they feel like handing you. But if you say, βHi! Iβd love a hot oat milk latte with one pump of vanilla and extra cinnamon on top,β now weβre talking. You gave them the context to deliver exactly what you want.
Same thing with prompts. Instead of typing, βMake me an Instagram caption,β try something like, βWrite an Instagram caption for a moody, cinematic boudoir photographer launching a body-positive mini session. My brand is empowering, a little spicy, and deeply inclusive. Use a tone thatβs confident and warm with a CTA to join my VIP email list.β
β¨ TAKEAWAY
The more details you give ChatGPT, the more aligned and you the results will feel. You donβt have to write a novel β just be intentional. Who are you? Whatβs the vibe? Who are you talking to? What do you want them to do?
π TRY THIS
Open a thread in ChatGPT and paste this: "Act as a copywriter for a soulful boudoir photographer who helps women feel confident in their bodies. Write 3 Instagram captions promoting a self-love mini session, using a warm, poetic tone. Include one call to action encouraging sign-ups."
Now that you know AI isn't a mind reader and needs a lil' direction... letβs level up. If youβve ever typed something into ChatGPT and thought, βWhy does this sound like a robot who doesnβt know me at all?β then this oneβs for you.
π‘ WHAT THIS MEANS
The secret sauce to making ChatGPT feel like a you clone is crafting what I call "Prompt Engineering." This is like handing over a fully-styled mood board and detailed creative brief all in one. When you give ChatGPT the full picture, it can serve content that actually slaps.
Think of it like planning a photo session: You wouldn't show up without knowing the location, the vibe, the clientβs story, or the goal of the shoot. Your prompt should do the same β paint the picture clearly so AI can bring it to life.
Hereβs your PROMPT ENGINEERING formula:
ROLE:
Who should ChatGPT act as? (Your dream expert β Instagram coach, copywriter, etc.)
AUDIENCE:
Who are you talking to? (Be specific: moms, creatives, couples, etc.)
TOPIC + PURPOSE:
What are you saying, and why? (Whatβs the point?)
CONTEXT + DETAILS:
Whatβs the bigger picture, and what do they need to know?
TONE + FORMAT:
Whatβs the vibe and how should it show up? (Caption, blog, etc.)
CTA:
What do you want your reader to do afterward?
β¨ TAKEAWAY
When in doubt, follow the formula. You donβt have to include every piece, but the more you do, the more your results will actually sound like you β not a meh version of a Canva template. Less overwhelming, right?
π TRY THIS
βI want you to act as a social media coach. Write a confident, bold Instagram caption for a boudoir photographer (me!) whoβs launching a spring self-love campaign. My ideal clients are women in their 30s-50s who want to reconnect with their sensuality. The tone should be edgy, empowering, and playful. End with a CTA to book through the link in my bio.β
π¬ YOUR TURN
Try your own Prompt Engineering using the formula above, then tell me if you like what you got!
Use AI as a Content Creation tool for Your Photography Biz without sounding like a robotβ¦
If youβve ever thought, "Ugh, I donβt want AI writing my stuff... itβll sound cold, boring, or nothing like meβ¦"
I get it. Truly. That fear is so valid. But hereβs the thing: ChatGPT only sounds robotic if you donβt tell it how to sound like you. By default, ChatGPT plays it safe. Its responses are often bland on purpose. Itβs like ordering a sandwich and not telling the person at the counter what toppings you want. Sure, youβll get something... but it might be the plainest turkey sandwich of your life. No spice. No sauce. No flavor.
You get to be the one who adds the flavor. ChatGPT will give you the bread, but it needs your help to make it delicious and on-brand. You set the vibe.
You can literally guide ChatGPT to match your voice. Want flirty and fun? Moody and poetic? Confident and cozy? Just say so. And if the first draft feels off, you can ask it to revise with more personality or adjust the tone to sound more like a creative bestie. Itβs not about getting it perfect on the first try. Itβs about collaboration.
β¨ TAKEAWAY
ChatGPT doesnβt replace your voice. It helps you access it faster. Think of it like a stylist who helps you pull outfits from your own closet. The pieces are already yours. AI just helps you put them together with more ease.
π TRY THIS
Take a caption youβve written (or one youβre struggling with) and paste it into ChatGPT. Then say, "Can you rewrite this in a confident, warm, conversational tone like a photographer bestie hyping me up?"
π¬ YOUR TURN
If you feel brave, share in the comments below how it felt to use your own voice more clearly.
ChatGPT Canβt Read Your Mindβ¦ But It Can Learn Your Voice
If youβve ever gotten an output that made you go, βUm... this kinda sounds like a corporate email from 2008,β thatβs your sign to teach it how you talk.
π‘ WHAT THIS MEANS
ChatGPT doesnβt come pre-loaded with your brand tone or the emotional vibe you bring to your audience. It doesnβt know youβre fun, bold, poetic, cheeky, empowering, soft-yet-edgy β unless you tell it. The cool part? You can train it to speak in your voice, especially when writing to potential clients.
Instead of starting from scratch every time, create a mini "voice memo" prompt you can reuse. Think of it like your go-to client-facing brand intro, the tone you bring to every caption, blog, or email.
π TRY THIS
Hereβs an example you can tweak to your own personal taste, personality, and brand voice:
βMy brand voice is warm, supportive, and cinematic. I speak directly to women who want to reconnect with themselves through empowering portrait sessions. I use a tone thatβs reflective and inviting, like a best friend gently hyping you up. I donβt use stiff or corporate language. Please write this like Iβm speaking directly to a potential client whoβs curious about booking a session but might need a little emotional nudge.β
Why ChatGPT Sometimes Misses
Ever typed a prompt into ChatGPT and gotten something that made you go, βOkay, cute idea... but not quite itβ? Maybe it was too vague, too wordy, or just didnβt sound like something youβd say. Thatβs totally normal. The first draft is just that β a starting point.
ChatGPT isnβt a perfection machine. Itβs a collaboration tool. Think of the first draft like a rough sketch. It gives you something to react to, edit, or build on. The trick is knowing what to ask next.
How to Fix It Fastβ¦
If the response feels off, donβt delete it and start over. Instead, coach it. Literally type: βMake this shorter.β βAdd more emotion.β βUse language thatβs more playful and empowering.β Or even, βThis sounds too formal β can you rewrite it like Iβm talking to a friend who needs a little encouragement?β
β¨ TAKEAWAY
Youβre allowed to guide the conversation. Think of ChatGPT as your creative intern β smart, capable, and fast β but it needs direction. Youβre still the creative director here. Youβre just getting a helpful head start.
π TRY THIS
Give ChatGPT a task, then follow up with: βNow revise this to sound more inviting and personal, like Iβm talking directly to a client whoβs been nervous to book their first session.β My question to you is: have you ever gotten a weird or robotic response from ChatGPT? Drop it below and Iβll show you how Iβd tweak it.
If youβve ever thought, βUgh, I wish it just remembered how I like things,β youβre going to love this trick.
Ready to save even more time with AI? Letβs talk about how to make it work for you. Consistently. Not just one-off.
Think of ChatGPT like your new creative assistant. You wouldn't expect a fresh hire to read your mind. Youβd walk them through your style, your goals, your vibe. Maybe even show them past work. Thatβs exactly what you can do with ChatGPT too.
Save your favorite prompts and your brand voice description in a notes app or doc. Start every new thread by pasting that in. You can even say, βRefer to the voice guide I just shared for all answers moving forward.β Boom. Instant consistency.
β¨ TAKEAWAY
You donβt have to keep reinventing the wheel. Create a mini prompt toolkit and reuse it. This keeps your content on-brand and saves you brainpower. Especially when youβre juggling 500 other things.
π TRY THIS
Create a doc called βMy AI Prompt Kit.β In it, add: β’ Your voice and tone description β’ Your ideal client description β’ A few example prompts that worked really well β’ Any phrasing you always want to include (like your signature sign-offs or CTAs)
π¬ YOUR TURN
Do you already have a system for saving prompts or brand voice notes? Drop your favorite time-saving tip in the comments. If you donβt have one yet, no shame. This is your sign to start fresh today!
Writing Captions When Youβre Tired, Overwhelmed, or Just Not Feeling It
Finally, letβs be honest. Some days, writing a caption feels like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. Your brain is foggy, your energy is low, and Instagram is the last thing you want to deal with. Thatβs exactly when AI can help the most.
You donβt have to wait until youβre "in the zone" to create something beautiful or valuable. ChatGPT can take a tiny spark of an idea and turn it into a warm, clear caption that still sounds like you. The goal here is not perfection. The goal is to keep showing up with care and ease.
β¨ TAKEAWAY
Youβre still the voice behind the message. But you donβt have to do the heavy lifting alone. Let ChatGPT be the brainstorming buddy who helps you say what you mean, even when youβre not sure where to start.
π TRY THIS
When youβre tired or stuck, open ChatGPT and type: βIβm a [your genre] photographer and Iβm feeling low energy today, but I still want to connect with my audience. Can you help me write a short, supportive Instagram caption that reminds people why they deserve to be seen and celebrated in photos?β
π¬ YOUR TURN
Save this prompt for a rainy day and try it when your creativity needs a little love. Let me know if it helped or if you want me to help shape a custom version just for you.
π· Starting to see all the ways AI can assist and streamline your workflow?
Starting to see how AI isnβt hijacking your creativity but supporting it?
Donβt stop at chat-based tools!!! As a chronic over-shooter (hi, me π), I love to follow the story, the movement, the vibeβ¦ and I never want to cut myself off mid-creative flow just to stay within a set image count. But the culling hangover after a big wedding or styled shoot? It used to be brutal.
π¦ Enter: Aftershoot.
This AI-assisted culling + editing software has literally given me my time back. It learns my patterns. It sorts the gems. It takes my overwhelm and turns it into order. Itβs not here to replace your eye. Itβs here to lift it up.
If youβre already dreaming about a more streamlined, less soul-sucking post-processβ¦ Just try the 30-day free trial. Like, seriously. No pressure. But youβll probably be hooked by week two. Iβm on the Pro plan now and obsessed is an understatement.
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Nikki Connor is a π Houston, Texas based photographer and digital planning enthusiast behind π· ClickNikki Photo & Boudoir and βοΈ Nikki Plans. She specializes in bright and moody, story-driven imagery celebrating confidence and connection, and also creates cozy iPad planning PNGs and resources. Nikki supports her fellow photographer community through her π» For Togs educational content and templates. Her brand is strongly rooted in empowerment, authenticity, and honest communication: wherever or however you work with her.
Instagram:
@nikki.plans
@clicknikkiphoto