The Photography Industry: Where We Are And Where It's Headed

First, the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, and 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual, which means that in eCommerce and online marketing, photography plays a significant role in reaching out to clients and customers.

We have compiled up-to-date statistics and trends in the photography industry to help you gain more knowledge, create a strong visual impact for your marketing strategy, and increase your return on investment.

How big is the photography industry: an overview for 2023

According to recent projections, the worldwide photography market is expected to reach about $44 billion by 2025, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.8%.

The key players currently capturing the opportunities in the rapid expansion of photography around the world include the very familiar brands of Sony, Nikon, Kodak, Canon, and Fujifilm.

The widespread use of photo-editing software and digital cameras, including those fancy smartphones, reduces the entry barriers to the photography market. While this is an excellent advantage for many, it is increasing competition in those B2C sectors such as portraiture and wedding photography. 

With the rise of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, clients now expect nothing less than top-notch photographic services delivered at lightning speed. In response, businesses are turning to solutions that enable them to hit the market in record time with high-quality images.

To emphasize the significance of the photography industry, let us delve into some statistics, trends, and data.

Industry statistics

First, here are some stats highlighting the importance of the worldwide photography industry.

The digital photography global market size was worth about $105.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to increase to $149.4 billion by 2028. In the United States, the photography industry's market size was $12.9 billion in 2022, according to an IBISWorld industry report. Additionally, the commercial photography market was projected to be worth $5.2 billion in 2022 and is predicted to rise to $6.5 billion by 2032.

Photographers are joining the trend, with approximately 8 million cameras shipped in 2022, including digital, DSLR, and mirrorless cameras. Interestingly, almost 20% of surveyed photographers in 2023 reported increased business from the previous year. 

And it’s expected that careers in photography will grow by 17%, resulting in roughly 12,700 job openings for photographers every year.

But what”s behind the rapid growth of our industry?

Industry growth factors

Several factors are driving the growth of the photography industry that any business owner should be casting their eye on as we move forward. 

The increasing popularity of social media platforms has significantly contributed to a surge in demand for high-quality images, as visually appealing content has become a crucial aspect of online engagement. 

Concurrently, the rapid growth of eCommerce has further boosted the demand for commercial and product photography, with businesses striving to showcase their offerings in the most attractive manner possible. 

The rising applications of professional photography in various fields, such as fine art, entertainment, data storage, and photojournalism, have expanded the scope and importance of our industry. 

And as the world gradually recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the photography services industry is also experiencing a resurgence, adapting to new trends and technologies to meet the ever-evolving needs of its diverse clientele.

Trending types of photography

As we look ahead to 2023, numerous types of photography are gaining popularity and emerging as trends.

Whether your photo shoots are in the great outdoors or a controlled environment like a photography studio, photographers widely use several industry trends to capture different subjects and emotions.

• Special event photography: Focuses on capturing the essence and personality of groups at weddings, parties, or corporate events. For example, wedding photographers use effective lighting, composition, and poses to create memorable images that tell a story or convey emotions.
• Portrait photography: Portraiture photography focuses on capturing the subject's unique personality through creative lighting, backdrops, and poses. Today, portrait photographers leverage trends such as neon-themed portraits, vibrant colors, and bold patterns.
• Commercial and product photography: Deals with creating visually appealing images of products for advertising and marketing purposes, including 360-degree imagery for a more interactive and engaging experience for online shoppers.
• Real estate photography: Captures high-quality images of properties for sale or rent. These images showcase the different features of the property and attract potential buyers or tenants. For example, finding the right professional photography solution can help increase offers on listings by 15%.
• Social media photography: Focused on producing visually captivating content customized to suit social media channels' unique requirements and appearance.

Where's the photography industry heading

As we near the end of 2023, the photography industry is undergoing several exciting and transformative changes. 

One of the most significant trends is the increasing use of AI technology for photo editing and enhancement. Thanks to algorithms and machine learning capabilities, photographers can achieve stunning results faster and more precisely than ever.

Another significant development is the emergence of 360-degree and VR photography, which offers viewers an immersive and interactive experience. Whether capturing stunning landscapes or showcasing products in a virtual environment, this technology is quickly gaining popularity and is poised to become a major force in the industry.

At the same time, mobile photography is also on the rise, thanks to advancements in smartphone camera technology. With more and more people using their phones as their primary cameras, the industry is responding with new features and capabilities that take advantage of this trend.

AI imagery and the photography industry 

AI imagery refers to those pieces of visual content generated or improved by artificial intelligence and will undoubtedly impact the photography industry’s future.

However, AI technology is anticipated to merge with human creativity in the photography industry, leading to a promising future for AI imagery. Its utilization in image processing, facial recognition, and postproduction has increased significantly.

Although AI-generated images may impact certain areas of the photography market, they are expected to bring about new opportunities for photographers. Automation and computer vision will likely become even more essential, enabling photographers to capture the ideal shot with greater precision and efficiency.

Benefits of using AI in photography

There are several benefits of using AI imagery in the photography industry. 

AI algorithms can analyze and optimize images by adjusting colors, brightness, contrast, and sharpness, leading to more captivating visuals. For example, by leveraging OCUS’s AI Solutions, you can scale your user-generated content and edit hundreds of photos in seconds.

Additionally, AI-powered tools can automate various aspects of the photography process, such as image editing and enhancement, allowing photographers to save time and focus on other aspects of their work.

AI can also help professional photographers streamline their photography business workflows by automating tasks like tagging, organizing, and searching for images.