Photography, like any art form, evolves with time, and 2024/2025 is shaping up to be a fun period for both professional photographers and hobbyists. From nostalgic nods to film cameras to bold, cinematic edits, these trends reflect a collective yearning for both raw authenticity and creative expression.
However, as you dive into these trends, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the purpose of your photos. Are you aiming for timelessness, or do you enjoy the fleeting appeal of what’s currently poppin’?
Trends can make photos feel fresh and unique in the moment but might date your photos over time. Think about selective colour editing—a popular technique in the early 2000s, where everything in a photo was black and white except for one colour, like a red rose or blue eyes. While it was once considered striking, many now view it as a cliché (I literally shudder at the thought haha), and it can instantly date photos from that era. The same consideration applies to today’s trends. Will you look back in 10 or 20 years and shake your head, or will these styles hold enduring charm? Ultimately, it’s all about finding a balance between having fun with trends and staying true to your photographic goals.
Which of these trends will stick around, and which might fade into the archives? Let’s explore!
1. The Embracing Motion Blur
Gone are the days when every photo had to be razor-sharp. The artful use of blur has emerged as a powerful way to evoke emotion and movement. Whether it’s the dreamy softness of a shallow depth of field, the motion blur of kids running through a park, or creative bokeh effects, blur is now celebrated as a storytelling tool.
- Why It Works: Blur adds depth and atmosphere, creating photos that feel more alive and intimate. For parents capturing their children, blur can transform ordinary playtime into something magical, where the motion tells its own story.
- Practical Tips: Use a wider aperture (like f/2.8 or lower) for a shallow depth of field or experiment with slower shutter speeds (around 1/30s) to create motion blur. Or try adding motion blur in lightroom when editing your photos (example below).
- Will It Last? Likely. Blur has been a timeless tool in photography, but its current resurgence might evolve into more refined techniques rather than disappear.
2. Cinematic Edits
Cinematic photography—where images mimic the aesthetic of a movie still—is having a major moment. Think dramatic lighting, moody tones, and a deliberate play with shadows and highlights. It’s all about creating a sense of narrative and drama.
- Why It Works: Cinematic edits elevate everyday moments into something larger than life, appealing to our love for storytelling. It’s particularly powerful in family photography, where the drama of a sunset or the coziness of indoor light can transform a moment into a memory.
- Practical Tips: To achieve a cinematic look, adjust your white balance for warm tones, lower the highlights, and slightly increase contrast. Look for natural frames in your composition, like doorways or trees.
- Will It Last? Medium-term. While it’s a striking trend, its intensity may lead photographers to adopt subtler cinematic influences in the future.
3. Unpolished, Raw Photos
The polished perfection of Instagram’s early days has given way to an appreciation for unpolished, raw images. And with it, popular culture seemingly has moved with it. People are hungry for REAL and not just manufactured, perfect photos. I personally feel this holds charm, and can be true to our memories of our family growing up, and holds a place in the memories we snap of our families. Think candid moments, grainy textures, or imperfect lighting. It’s about capturing life as it is, rather than as it’s staged.
- Why It Works: This trend aligns with the cultural shift towards authenticity, particularly on social media. Families want to remember the real, messy, joyful moments, not just the posed ones.
- Practical Tips: Don’t be afraid to shoot in low light or embrace grainy textures by using higher ISO settings. Capture candid moments when your kids aren’t aware of the camera.
- Will It Last? Probably. As long as people crave connection and relatability, unpolished photos will remain relevant.
4. Film Photography Revival
Film cameras are back in the spotlight, thanks to a growing appreciation for their aesthetic and the deliberate, hands-on process they require. From vintage SLRs to disposable cameras, film is a tangible, nostalgic alternative to digital photography.
- Why It Works: Film photography encourages slowing down, making each shot more intentional (I LOVE this approach to photography). Its unique colour profiles, organic grain, and occasional imperfections are impossible to replicate digitally.
- Practical Tips: For those new to film, start with a simple 35mm camera (I use a Canon AE-1 which still gives some manual options for creative expression) and experiment with different film stocks to find a style you love. If you prefer digital, emulate the film look with presets that add grain and adjust colour tones.
- Will It Last? Long-term. Film has always been a niche favourite, and its resurgence might plateau but not disappear entirely. Think of how some people still love to use old records for that analog, nostalgic touch to life.
Shot on Canon AE-1, 35mm Ektar film stock
5. Vibrant Colour Stories
After years of muted, earthy tones dominating the photography scene, bold and vibrant colours are making a comeback. From neon accents to technicolour dreamscapes, photographers are using colour to inject energy and emotion into their work.
- Why It Works: Bright colours are eye-catching and evoke joy and optimism, which resonates with audiences post-pandemic. For family photographers, a child’s rainbow-coloured outfit or a bright picnic blanket can become the focal point of an image.
- Practical Tips: Look for contrasting colours in your environment, such as a bright yellow jacket against a blue sky. Enhance colours subtly in post-processing to keep them natural yet impactful.
- Will It Last? Short to medium-term. While vibrant colours are fun, trends tend to swing back towards neutral palettes eventually.
6. Minimalist Storytelling
Minimalism in photography is all about stripping down the scene to its essentials. This trend focuses on clean compositions, negative space, and subtle details that let the subject shine.
- Why It Works: In a visually noisy world, minimalist photography offers a sense of calm and clarity. It’s particularly effective for newborn or maternity sessions where the focus is on emotion and connection.
- Practical Tips: Simplify your backgrounds and focus on a single subject. Use natural light and play with shadows to create depth without clutter.
- Will It Last? Long-term. Minimalism has timeless appeal and is likely to persist as a foundational style.
7. AI-Enhanced Photography
AI is playing a bigger role in photography, from post-processing tools that can perfect lighting and remove distractions to AI cameras that help beginners compose their shots. However, its presence is sparking debates about authenticity.
- Why It Works: AI makes photography more accessible and efficient, empowering both amateurs and pros. For busy parents, AI tools can transform ordinary snapshots into polished images quickly.
- Practical Tips: Use AI editing tools like Adobe Lightroom’s AI-powered adjustments to enhance your photos without overdoing it. Experiment with composition suggestions from AI camera apps.
- Will It Last? Yes, but with caveats. AI will become increasingly integrated, but ethical concerns may shape how it’s used.
Final Thoughts
Trends in photography come and go, but the ones that resonate most deeply—those that tap into our collective emotions and values—tend to stick around. As we move into 2024/2025, the overarching theme seems to be balancing artistry and authenticity. Whether you’re experimenting with blur, diving into film photography, or embracing the cinematic, these trends invite you to see the world through a fresh lens—quite literally.
Which ones will you try to incorporate when capturing your family?
What do you think is here to stay?
Have you noticed any other trends?
Leave a comment below to spark discussion, or send me a DM on @mamastalgia – I’d love to hear from you.
