Custom AI Imagery & Animation
A curated showcase of AI-generated imagery and animated visuals, created by Hawke's Bay commercial photographer, Simon Cartwright.
This is where photography meets the future. I use the latest in AI tools to create custom imagery and animated visuals that are creative, flexible, and tailored to your brand.
These visuals can be fully AI-generated or combined with real photography to give you something truly unique. Whether you're after eye-catching content for social media, bold campaign visuals, or fresh ideas for your brand—this is a space where we can get creative and try something different.
What it’s great for:
Quick turnarounds without compromising quality
Concepts that would be hard (or expensive) to shoot
Storytelling that feels modern, engaging, and a little unexpected
This isn't about replacing photography. It’s about expanding what’s possible—and giving you more options to tell your story in a way that stands out.
Services offered:
Custom AI-Generated Imagery
AI-Enhanced Animation from Photographs
Hybrid Projects Combining Traditional Photography and AI
Imagined, Not Captured: 100% AI-Generated Still Imagery
The visuals below were born entirely in the digital realm—crafted using generative AI tools to produce high-impact, photorealistic still images without the need for cameras, studios, or physical locations. Each image starts as a concept, refined through advanced prompting and model tuning, resulting in detailed, stylistically unique visuals ready for use in marketing, branding, editorial, or concept development. Below is a selection of AI-generated still imagery—each one built from nothing but ideas, words and machine precision.
Where Still Photography Meets Motion: AI Animation from Real (Still) Images
Using a combination of high-resolution still photography and advanced AI animation techniques, I transform static images into dynamic, moving visuals. Whether the image is freshly captured or drawn from your existing content library, this process adds depth, movement, and storytelling potential—perfect for digital marketing, social media, or brand campaigns. Each animation is uniquely crafted to preserve the integrity of the original photo while enhancing it with subtle, expressive motion. Below is a selection of recent client work showcasing how still images can be reimagined through the AI lens.
This piece began as a traditionally captured still image, photographed using a Canon R5. From there, AI tools were used to animate the scene—adding subtle motion, depth, and emotion to a previously static moment. The result bridges the gap between photography and video, transforming a single frame into a living visual.
This workflow opens new creative possibilities for commercial clients: take existing imagery and reimagine it for web, social, or campaign content—efficiently, elegantly, and with visual impact.
This animation began as a single still photograph, captured with a Canon R5 at twilight for a commercial client, featuring a handcrafted bird sculpture poised beside a reflective pond. Using advanced AI tools, the image was brought to life—subtle movement in the water and ambient light transform the scene into something cinematic and immersive.
This process blurs the line between art and reality, photography and sculpture. It allows commercial clients to elevate existing imagery—turning campaign stills, product hero shots, or brand assets into visually striking motion content for web, social, and digital campaigns. Efficient. Expressive. Unique.
Captured initially as a high-resolution still with a Canon R5, this image was later transformed into an animated visual using advanced AI techniques. The movement is subtle yet striking—breathing life into the photograph while preserving its original emotion and composition.
This hybrid workflow is ideal for clients wanting to extend the value of existing visual assets—offering a compelling way to repurpose still photography into scroll-stopping digital content.
This visual was created using a blend of traditional photography and cutting-edge AI. We started by photographing the actual dog and Woollife dog bed in a studio setting. These real images were then used to train custom LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation) models—essentially teaching the AI how this specific dog and product look.
Using those models, we generated new imagery and animations that kept the real-world details, while allowing for creative and engaging visuals that go beyond a standard photoshoot. It's a perfect example of how AI and photography can work together to create something fresh, flexible, and visually striking.
The animation sequences above of the Hawke's Bay Regional Museum Research and Archives Centre in Hastings began life as still photographs captured at sunrise with a Canon R5. Through imagination and the use of advanced AI tools, those frames were transformedubtle shifts in sky, evolving light, and shifting reflections breathe motion into the imagery, creating an experience that feels cinematic and immersive.
This approach dissolves the boundary between art and reality, photography and video. For commercial clients, it offers a powerful way to reimagine existing visuals—campaign stills, product hero shots, or brand assets—elevated into striking motion content designed for web, social, and digital platforms. Efficient. Expressive. Unforgettable.
Where Imagination Becomes Motion: 100% AI-Generated Animation
Using generative AI, I create original animated visuals from scratch—no cameras or sets, just creativity and digital skill. These animations start with an idea and develop through AI prompts and motion design, resulting in stunning visuals that appear handcrafted and cinematic. Perfect for bold brand storytelling, content marketing, or creative development, this method unlocks endless possibilities beyond traditional filming. Below is a selection of AI-generated animations each showcasing what can be achieved with imagination and machine intelligence.
This short animated sequence was created entirely using artificial intelligence—from concept to motion. A girl appears mid-sketch, brought to life as her image evolves before your eyes. The fluid transition between stillness and animation demonstrates the power of AI in storytelling—where imagination meets machine-driven artistry. Perfect for brands, campaigns, or creators wanting something truly unique.
This short animated sequence was developed entirely using still AI image generation and animation tools—demonstrating how brands can achieve cinematic-style visuals without traditional film crews or post-production pipelines. Every frame was built from scratch using a blend of creative prompting, AI animation workflows, and digital compositing. Ideal for forward-thinking campaigns, brand storytelling, or conceptual pitches, this piece shows how AI can unlock new creative possibilities—quickly, cost-effectively, and at scale.
If you're interested in custom AI imagery or animated content, either standalone or integrated with traditional photography, please get in touch.
Let’s create something truly original.
Disclaimer: The images featured on this page are created to demonstrate the creative potential of modern AI-driven techniques. Most visuals are self-initiated examples developed to showcase style, capability, and production quality.