Welcome back to the Cozy AI Kitchen, where our latest episode explores how creators and small business owners use AI to turn passion into impact.
In this episode, we’re joined by Jeremy Likness, an astrophotographer, who shares how he uses Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered tools to transform stunning images of the night sky into a creative business.
From analyzing photos and pricing artwork to generating cinematic videos, animations, and music, Jeremy walks us through real, practical ways AI helps him save time, reduce costs, and tell better stories, without writing custom code.
Whether you’re a photographer, artist, or small business owner curious about AI, this episode shows how accessible and powerful these tools can be when you lean into them.

What You’ll Learn:

- How to use Microsoft Copilot to critique and analyze photography
- AI-driven pricing strategies for selling art and prints
- Turning still images into animated, cinematic video
- Using AI to create music, storytelling visuals, and transitions
- How small business owners can use AI without technical expertise
- Why “just ask AI” is often the best place to start

Key Takeaways

- You don’t need to be technical to benefit from AI
- Copilot works best when grounded in real-world constraints
- AI excels at filling the “everything else” gap for small businesses
- Creativity + AI unlocks entirely new storytelling formats

Chapters
00:00 - Breadsticks, Telescopes, and Looking at the Stars
00:08 - Welcome to Cozy AI Kitchen
00:49 - Meet Astrophotographer Jeremy Likness
01:59 - Telescopes, Cameras, and Astrophotography Gear
02:47 - Turning Photos Into a Business With AI
03:19 - Using Microsoft Copilot to Analyze Images
04:29 - AI Pricing Strategy for Photography
05:32 - Running a Side Hustle With Limited Time
06:22 - Visualizing Canvas vs Metal Prints With AI
07:32 - Using Copilot as a No-Code AI Harness
08:10 - Animating Still Images for Video
09:13 - Storytelling With Constellations and Nebulae
10:28 - Seamless AI Transitions Between Images
10:52 - AI for Diagrams and Behind-the-Scenes Storytelling
11:04 - Generating Cinematic Music With AI
12:23 - Long-Form Ambient Space Videos
13:06 - Advice for Small Business Owners Using AI
14:48 - Saving Money With AI-Powered 3D Creation
16:06 - Final Takeaway: If You Need Help With AI, Ask AI


Speakers
Jeremy Likness
Astrophotographer & Principal Product Manager
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremylikness/
https://www.dswgalleries.com/

John Maeda - Host, Cozy AI Kitchen
VP of Design and Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmaeda/

Resources & Links
🚀 Try Azure for free 
https://aka.ms/AzureFreeTrialYT
🚀 Try Microsoft Copilot with Microsoft 365
https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/copilot
📚 Learn more about AI for small businesses
https://learn.microsoft.com/ai
🎯 Explore more Cozy AI Kitchen episodes
https://aka.ms/CAIK-YTPlaylist
🔔 Subscribe for more Microsoft Developer content


Hashtags
#CozyAIKitchen
#MicrosoftCopilot
#AIForCreatives
#SmallBusiness
#Photography
#Astrophotography
#AIStorytelling
#SideHustle
#NoCode
#CreatorEconomy
#MicrosoftDeveloper
#AI

Microsoft Developer

Jeremy Likness, a software developer and astrophotographer, shares how he uses Microsoft Copilot and AI tools to run his art sales side business. He uses Copilot to analyze photos, generate product descriptions, suggest pricing strategies, animate still images, create video transitions, and generate background music. His key advice for non-technical small business owners: talk to AI the same way you'd talk to a person, and lean into it iteratively. He highlights a concrete example where Copilot saved him $1,200 in 3D rendering fees by doing the work itself.

From Backyard Telescopes to AI‑Powered Art Sales, on Mr. Maeda's Cozy AI Kitchen