Photography is one of the ever-evolving disciplines of art direction that we can never get enough of. Alongside typography and illustration, photography does more to add character to design than any other element.

One of the leading sources of stock images and vectors since 2009, Depositphotos has more than 50 million files on offer, and growing. To help you determine which of their stock to use, Depositphotos have put together a trend report for 2017, pinpointing the files you should be looking out for over the next 12 months. Here are the highlights:

The ‘90s are back

Kids born in the ‘90s are suddenly major consumers. And like their parents who fixated on ‘60s nostalgia, ‘90s kids love the era they were born in. That means Polaroid-style images, color, and candid shots will all be big.

Emotions and movement

We’re all tired of the insincerity of staged stock photos. Over the next year, honest, candid shots of real life—with all its mishaps and randomness—will grow in popularity. When you need to make a connection, go for a shot that’s a little less polished.

Connected World

Tech is, literally, everywhere. The genie’s out of the bottle and it’s only going to get stronger. From wearables to VR, brands will want to ride the wave of technological innovation, and featuring tech in your imagery is a great way to reinforce that message.

Challenging stereotypes

2016 lead to a few political surprises, but despite the fact that society may seem to have taken a step backwards, the passion for diversity, equality, and freedom will remain strong in 2017. More diverse stock photography, will shine a light of the real-world diversity in communities.

Video is taking over

You may not have noticed, but video is everywhere. According to Syndacast, by 2017, 74% of all web content will be video. You can shoot your own, but video is a lot more expensive to produce than still images; stock video will be huge in 2017.

Looking to the stars

OK, so life on earth has taken a decidedly backwards step. Maybe that’s why we’re all looking out to the heavens. In the 2nd half of 2016 Depositphotos noticed a huge interest in space photography. We expect that trend to continue into 2017 as photographers learn to capture the best views of the galaxy planet earth has to offer.

Colorful still lifes

It all started with Instagram: colorful snapshots of life, from food to toys. The best thing about this kind of shot is that it’s super flexible. You can use it for almost anything, and they’re great for responsive design because they crop easily.

Moody landscapes

We don’t seem to be able to get enough of moody, minimal photos. According to Depositphotos they’ve been trending for a couple of years, and the next 12 months look like focusing on landscape. Could it all be thanks to Nordic Noir?

Drone photography

Technology always influences art, and photography is no different. Once in a while, a technology comes along that revolutionises an artform, and for photography in 2017, that means Drones. Drones gives photographers a unique ability to take shots from hitherto impossible angles. The newness is exciting to look at, and filled with possibilities.

Minimal patterns and textures

Simple shots of blocks of color, with intriguing textures will be huge in 2017. The combination of real-world and flat design aesthetic will be irresistible to designers, and is sure to be a key trend over the next 12 months.

Generation Z

Technology combined with young people is particularly powerful. Generation Z grew up with tech, and it’s an integral part of their lives. Look for shots of tech fitting in naturally in 2017.

Craft

As technology marches on, we’ll also see a greater appreciation of handmade products and craft-based products. Expect to see a new admiration for traditional products, and a focus on the associated images, in 2017.

You can read the full details concerning photo trends for 2017 in the Depositphotos report.

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