Knowing what the top photography trends are in the industry is incredibly useful. Whether for wedding shots, stock images, or product photography knowing what to shoot puts you at the top of the curve.

Clients are always looking for something new. They aim to use images that others don’t have, as it makes their own products one-of-a-kind.

Here’s some of our favourites from the expertphotograpgy.com top 22 list

6. 360 Photography Trend

360° photography is going to be a big photography trend next year. Whether for panoramic landscape photography or real estate photography, there is huge potential.

This type of photography gained a foothold in product photography, where the subject would turn as the camera captured. Now, photographers are changing the way we shoot by turning the camera 360° as it captures the world around it.

Timelapse photography is something that benefits from this process. But, it is also great for real estate photography. With this setup, you can capture a 360° scene of a room, where the viewer can move around it as if they were there.

It helps bridge the gap between photography and reality.

On top of this, you can create tiny globes, which, when done correctly, look great.

TIP: If you don’t have the capital to invest in an expensive device, you can recreate the same technique by using a special tripod head.

20. Show Unedited Beauty

In the age of filters and retouching apps, leaving your work untouched is a bold decision. It’s a decision that can attract the right kind of attention, though. Unedited means authentic—another trend that’s becoming increasingly popular right now. This is a great trend to keep in mind for portrait photographers of all kinds.

This trend is all about raw and unfiltered beauty. You don’t need to spend hours in Photoshop anymore. You don’t even need to use your favourite Instagram filters. Focus on your model’s natural beauty, and don’t be afraid of embracing their flaws.

TIP: This photography trend isn’t about focusing on flaws. It’s about capturing someone’s appearance without hiding anything. Make sure you shoot in well-lit conditions, and don’t be afraid of pimples, blemishes, or scars.

17. Bold Self-Expression

Gone are days of broody facial expressions. This trend is all about expressing yourself unabashedly. Your model can shout, laugh, cry, etc., in front of your camera as much as they like.

You can also take self-portraits in which you express something meaningful to you. Self-portraiture can be very therapeutic. In this case, it can also be a great way to attract new clients and earn money!

You don’t need to express yourself through people all the time. You can tell a story through another genre, like still life photography. You can include parts of yourself in mirror reflections without showing your face. You can crop your pictures just to show your mouth. There’s no limit to what you can do with this.

TIP: Instead of telling your model to look angry, give them a concept. Ask them to imagine that they’re in a specific scenario or that they’re a specific person. This will make it easier for them to give you the right emotions.

15. Smoke Bombs Create Surreal Images

One of the hottest photography trends this year focuses on a specific tool—a smoke bomb. Colourful smoke bombs are a great way to add surrealism to any image. They can make your pictures look more colourful and create depth in your compositions.

You can use smoke bombs effectively in any photography genre. It’s most popular in portrait and conceptual photography.

TIP: Make sure you always use a smoke bomb outdoors. Stay away from flammable objects and make sure you’re shooting in an open space. Also, avoid shooting on windy days so that you can actually see the smoke in your photos.

4. Film, Film, Film

We keep saying this, but film photography trends are growing. You might not believe so, as we constantly see manufacturers dropping their film-based products.

Film photography is still very strong with professionals and enthusiasts alike. Not every photographer wants to see their images enhanced with filters on Instagram.

Working with photographic film offers photographers a way to discover the base of this visual world. On top of that, you have a physical, tangible object after capturing your session.

There are many benefits of working with film. Medium and larger film formats hold more play and resolution than some digital cameras. It is also fun to use, where digital photography doesn’t offer you the same feeling.

TIP: There are horses for courses, and there are also photographic films for portraits if you need them.