AI Disruption Hits Creative Sector: Videographer Forced to Close 10-Year Business

The Human Cost of AI Advancement

A Cambridgeshire videographer is shutting down his decade-old business, citing artificial intelligence as the primary factor behind his disappearing client base. David Johnson of Chatteris announced his company DMJ-Imagery will cease operations in April after what he describes as a dramatic decline in demand for his professional services.

The Human Cost of AI Advancement
Industry-Wide Impact on Creative Professionals
The Changing Landscape of Content Creation
Adaptation Challenges for Creative Professionals

“My workload has plummeted over the past 12 months,” Johnson told reporters. “The influx of AI means businesses are now using artificial intelligence for work I used to be paid to do.” The veteran creative professional noted that AI is increasingly handling tasks that once formed the core of his business—film production, video editing, and script writing., according to industry developments

Industry-Wide Impact on Creative Professionals

The situation facing Johnson reflects broader concerns within the creative industry. The Association of Photographers (AOP), a leading trade body, has warned that generative AI presents a “relentless threat to livelihoods” for visual professionals. As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, many creatives are finding their traditional service offerings increasingly automated.

What makes this case particularly noteworthy is the speed of the transition. Johnson established his business during a period when specialized technical skills and professional equipment provided a significant barrier to entry. Today, AI platforms can generate professional-looking video content, write scripts, and edit footage with minimal human intervention—often at a fraction of the cost and time required by human professionals., as previous analysis, according to related coverage

The Changing Landscape of Content Creation

Several factors are driving this shift toward AI adoption in creative work:, according to industry reports

Cost efficiency: Businesses facing economic pressures are turning to AI solutions that can produce content at lower costs
Speed to market: AI tools can generate content in hours rather than days or weeks
Accessibility: User-friendly AI platforms require minimal technical expertise
Versatility: Single AI tools can often handle multiple aspects of content creation

Johnson’s experience suggests that even established businesses with loyal client bases aren’t immune to these market shifts. “The demand has simply dried up,” he noted, emphasizing that the change occurred rapidly over the past year as AI tools became more mainstream.

Adaptation Challenges for Creative Professionals

For many creative professionals, the rise of AI presents a fundamental challenge to their business models. While some are attempting to integrate AI tools into their workflows, others find themselves competing against technology that can produce similar outputs at scale.

The creative sector now faces questions about how to maintain value in an increasingly automated industry. Professionals must consider whether to specialize in areas where human creativity remains distinctive, develop hybrid human-AI workflows, or pivot to entirely new service offerings.

Johnson’s case serves as a sobering reminder that technological disruption spares few industries. As AI continues to evolve, the creative sector may need to redefine what constitutes professional creative work and how human professionals can continue to add unique value in an automated landscape.