Capturing the Zeitgeist: 2025's Hottest Photography and Design Trends

Authenticity Takes Center Stage: Photography Trends Transforming Visual Storytelling

In a world saturated with visual content, staying ahead of the curve is paramount for designers. Stills, the groundbreaking photo-licensing platform, has released its 2025 Photography in Design Trend Report, offering crucial insights for creatives looking to elevate their work. Forget the polished perfection of the past; today's audiences crave authenticity. Brands are shifting from selling products to selling experiences and genuine human connection.

This shift is evident in the rise of candid photography, capturing raw, unfiltered moments that resonate deeply with viewers. As content creator Victoria Stefania puts it, "We want to see more of the rough, the real, and the approachable."

Beyond the Flat: Texture, Depth, and Drama in Modern Photography

Two-dimensional design is feeling, well, two-dimensional. Abstract and textural imagery inject much-needed depth and tangibility, softening type-heavy layouts and creating a more engaging visual experience. UK-based content creator Robert McCombe explains, "Digital precision with a tactile quality creates a unique balance. It feels like a fusion of pre-tech and modern design, digital and physical, leaving a more lasting impression."

Drama reigns supreme with the rise of dark imagery. Deep shadows, muted tones, and bold contrasts, inspired by luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, create strikingly modern aesthetics, especially when paired with clean typography.

And then there's "Flash On" photography, characterized by direct lighting and vivid subject isolation. This energetic style, increasingly popular amongst brands seeking to convey both authenticity and dynamism, taps into the resurgent Y2K aesthetic. As Stefania notes, "There's a higher need for things to feel authentic and 'real' in the digital space as we move forward."

Embracing Imperfection: Nostalgia and the Human Touch

Intentional imperfections are having a moment. JPEG artifacting adds a raw, deliberately imperfect quality that taps into early-internet nostalgia while offering unique visual texture. London-based graphic designer Joe Diver observes, "We're seeing a significant shift from digital to 'IRL' culture, where people are increasingly rejecting hyper-modernity and embracing a sense of grounded tradition."

Collage, with its organized chaos and layered elements, is also making a comeback. New York-based designer and illustrator Kirsten Holland explains, "In a time when AI and automation are at the top of my mind, I've been drawn to trends with a human element." Collage embraces imperfections, resulting in designs that feel distinctly organic.

Back to Basics: Design Trends Grounded in Tactility and Tradition

The "half-finished" aesthetic is taking hold, with brands embracing raw, authentic visuals with deliberate imperfections. This hand-drawn, incomplete style injects personality into visual identity. Wieden + Kennedy creative director Nik Reed notes, "We've started to see the return to character and personality in identities as brands reach into their past to pull out a handful of things that make them truly unique.”

Physical assembly techniques, like "cut and glue," offer a powerful antidote to digital saturation. Brighton-based graphic designer Dan George Hill explains, "It's great to see gravitation toward more tactile projects. It brings such a unique contrast to our increasingly digital world." These analogue processes inject a distinctly human touch.

Finally, serifs are back. Typography is embracing sophistication, with serif fonts counteracting the overly digital aesthetic of recent years. Robert McCombe adds, "It feels like a fusion of pre-tech and modern design, leaving a more lasting impression." Serifs convey heritage and timelessness.

Get the Full Report: Dive Deeper into the Future of Visual Design

The complete 2025 Photography in Design Trend Report is available for download on the Stills website – it's a must-read for designers and photographers alike.

As the report highlights, imagery remains fundamental to impactful design. Stills, with its curated collection of authentic photographs and AI-powered search tools, empowers designers to create work that truly resonates.