15 photography trends for 2025 all creatives should know

Photography is constantly evolving, and as we look toward 2025, the trends shaping this art form are more diverse and dynamic than ever.

For photographers, whether hobbyists or professionals, building off photography trends in 2024 and staying ahead of these trends is essential for growth and staying relevant.

But these trends don't just matter to photographers; they affect anyone involved in creative work. Whether you're a designer, marketer, or content creator, understanding these emerging movements can help you create more compelling visuals.

In this post, we’ll explore the photography trends that will dominate in 2025. By staying ahead of these shifts, you can push the boundaries of your creativity and produce work that feels fresh, exciting, and meaningful.

Why do photography trends matter?

Photography is one of the most powerful ways to tell stories. It allows us to capture moments, communicate emotions, and convey messages. As technology advances and society evolves, photography trends adapt to reflect these changes.

Understanding photography trends is about more than just following the latest fad. It’s about anticipating what clients, audiences, and industries will expect in visual content. For professional photographers, staying up-to-date with trends can keep you competitive and ensure your portfolio feels modern. For creatives in general, trends can provide inspiration and open up new ways to use photography in campaigns, social media, or personal projects.

How can trends help all creatives?

Photography trends influence more than just photographers. In 2025, these trends will continue to impact graphic designers, marketers, advertisers, and content creators. If you're a creative professional, paying attention to these shifts can enhance your work in several ways.

First, trends help you align your visual style with what audiences are drawn to. By understanding popular photography styles, you can create visuals that resonate with people and stand out in a crowded space.

Second, these trends often push technical boundaries, inspiring creatives to experiment with new tools and techniques. Whether you’re incorporating bold colors into your brand photography or using drone shots for an advertising campaign, these trends open up opportunities to bring fresh ideas to the table.

Finally, staying current with photography trends keeps your work relevant. Outdated visuals can make even a brilliant concept feel stale. But by integrating trendy techniques and styles, you’ll show that your creative work is contemporary and forward-thinking.

The biggest photography trends of 2025

Now, let’s dive into the photography trends that will shape 2025. From nostalgic throwbacks to cutting-edge techniques, these increasingly popular trends will offer something for every type of creative.

1. Retro and vintage

While many modern photography aesthetics will come into play next year, nostalgia will continue to drive the visual world in 2025.

Retro and vintage photography trends are making a comeback, with a focus on grainy film photography textures, black and white, faded colors, and film-inspired aesthetics.

Photographers are embracing the imperfections that come with shooting on film or applying filters to recreate that look.

This trend adds a timeless, sentimental feel to images, perfect for editorial work, fashion, or personal projects that aim to evoke emotion.

2. Portraits

Portrait photography is set to become even more personal and emotional. The focus in 2025 will be on capturing real, authentic moments that reveal the subject’s personality or inner life.

Expect to see less retouching and more emphasis on natural expressions, natural light, imperfections, and candid shots.

Portraits that connect on an emotional level will be in high demand across multiple industries, from fashion to corporate branding.

3. Inclusive photography

Representation matters, and inclusive photography is one of the most important trends for 2025. More photographers are committed to showcasing diverse models across race, age, gender, body type, and ability.

Brands and content creators are also demanding more inclusive imagery for campaigns, making this trend vital for both social and commercial photography.

The focus here is on making sure everyone feels seen and represented in visual media.

5. Bold and bright colored photography

Bold, bright colors will continue to dominate the visual landscape in 2025. Saturated tones and high-contrast images draw attention and evoke strong emotions, making them perfect for campaigns that aim to grab attention quickly.

This trend is especially popular in lifestyle and fashion photography, where color can play a central role in creating a specific mood or brand identity.

6. Moody photography

On the other end of the spectrum, moody photography is also gaining momentum. Dark, shadowy tones, desaturated colors, and a focus on creating emotional depth will make moody photography a trend to watch in 2025.

This style is perfect for storytelling, as it evokes feelings of mystery, introspection, and drama. It works especially well for portraiture, nature photography, and editorial projects.

7. Sweeping landscapes

Sweeping landscapes have always been a staple in photography, but in 2025, expect more breathtaking, panoramic shots that capture the vastness and beauty of nature.

With advances in camera technology and editing software, photographers can create more immersive images, perfect for travel, outdoor lifestyle brands, and environmental campaigns.

These images highlight the beauty of the world around us, connecting viewers to the natural world.

8. Blank product shots

In 2025, blank product shots will be a must-have for marketers and brands looking for versatile imagery. These photos showcase products without any logos or branding, making them perfect for use in mockups, promotional materials, or marketing campaigns.

By keeping the product itself neutral, creatives have the flexibility to overlay logos, text, or specific brand elements later.

This trend is especially valuable for brands that want consistency across different campaigns while still allowing room for brands to customize them.

9. Panorama photography

Panoramic photography is set to take center stage in 2025. Whether through stitching multiple images together or using wide-angle lenses, this trend is about capturing expansive views in a single shot.

Panoramas work well for landscapes, cityscapes, or even large group portraits, offering a way to tell a bigger story in a single frame.

10. Family-oriented photography

Authenticity and emotional connection are key drivers behind family-oriented photography trend in 2025. Gone are the days of stiff, posed family portraits. Instead, photographers are focusing on candid moments that reflect the real dynamics of family life.

These images capture joy, chaos, love, and everything in between, making them relatable and memorable.

11. Fish-eyed lens photos

Fish-eye lens photography offers a quirky, distorted perspective that can make even ordinary scenes feel extraordinary. In 2025, this trend will continue to grow, especially in urban photography, architectural shots, and creative portraiture. The unique curvature created by these lenses add depth, a playful essence, and an experimental vibe to photos.

12. Drone photography

Drone photography isn’t new, but its popularity is set to skyrocket in 2025. Drones allow photographers to capture aerial views that would otherwise be impossible, offering a fresh perspective on everything from landscapes to architecture.

Whether used for real estate, events, environmental photography, or other natural settings, drones give creatives the ability to explore new heights—literally.

13. Underwater photography

Underwater photography will continue to fascinate audiences in 2025.

From capturing marine life to creating ethereal portraits underwater, this trend pushes the boundaries of where photography can take us.

Advances in waterproof gear and lighting techniques make it easier for photographers to explore the beauty of life beneath the surface, whether in oceans, lakes, or even pools.

14. Motion photography

This trend emphasizes the dynamic feel of action, whether it’s a dancer mid-leap, a cyclist speeding by, or water in motion.

This approach is especially valuable in advertising, sports, and lifestyle photography, where capturing the intensity of the moment draws viewers in.

Motion photography brings still images to life, offering a more immersive experience that stands out in a video-dominated world.

15. Close-up detailed photography

In contrast to vast landscapes, close-up detailed photography will also be trending. Macro shots that capture textures, patterns, and intricate details allow photographers to explore the beauty in small, often overlooked elements.

This trend is popular in product photography, where close-up shots highlight craftsmanship, as well as in nature photography, where small creatures or plants become the subject.

How will you use these trends?

As we move into 2025, these photography trends will shape how we capture and share the world around us.

For Lummi creators and contributors, you can use these trends to create images with AI tools as well, so don't think this falls solely to photographers!