Parents use ChatGPT to skip school photo day and erase watermarks

Parents in the US are using ChatGPT to generate school picture-style portraits of their kids instead of paying for professional shoots, while others ask AI to remove watermarks from proofs. Savings run $25–60 per package, but erasing watermarks is copyright infringement with fines from $750 to $150,000.

• Parents shoot at home and prompt ChatGPT to add a gradient backdrop like Lifetouch or CADY
• Others ask AI to strip watermarks from proofs instead of buying the photos
• Average family spends $25–60 per package; one child ranges from $15 to $125
• Copyright infringement fines range from $750 up to $150,000