GITNUX REPORT 2024

Photography statistics: From the First Photo to Trillion Selfies

Explore the explosive growth of photography with over 1.4 trillion digital photos expected in 2020.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

Over 1.4 trillion digital photos will be taken in 2020.

Statistic 2

The average person will take around 25,000 selfies in their lifetime.

Statistic 3

Around 2.5 billion smartphones worldwide have built-in cameras.

Statistic 4

Instagram has over 500 million active daily users sharing photos.

Statistic 5

Over 250 billion photos have been uploaded to Facebook since its launch.

Statistic 6

80% of internet users own a smartphone with a built-in camera.

Statistic 7

The average person will take over 1 million photographs in their lifetime.

Statistic 8

Around 4.4 trillion photos will be stored online by 2022.

Statistic 9

Close to 70% of all U.S. residents now own a digital camera or smartphone.

Statistic 10

Non-professional photographers upload 700 million photos to the internet every day.

Statistic 11

The average American spends 85 minutes per day taking pictures on their smartphones.

Statistic 12

By 2023, there will be an estimated 7.5 billion mobile devices with built-in cameras worldwide.

Statistic 13

Smartphone users upload over 1.8 billion digital images to social media daily.

Statistic 14

Over 85% of all photos taken in 2021 are estimated to be stored digitally.

Statistic 15

The average engagement rate on posts with photos on Instagram is 23% higher.

Statistic 16

In 2020, there were over 1.4 trillion photos shared online, a 10% increase from the previous year.

Statistic 17

43% of smartphone users say their phone is their primary camera.

Statistic 18

The average professional photographer in the U.S. earns $34,000 per year.

Statistic 19

The number of professional photographers in the U.S. is expected to grow by 7% by 2026.

Statistic 20

In the U.S., there are over 218,000 individuals employed as photographers.

Statistic 21

Photography businesses in the U.S. employ over 110,000 individuals.

Statistic 22

38% of professional photographers earn over $50,000 per year.

Statistic 23

Photography jobs are expected to grow by 8% from 2020-2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Statistic 24

The first photograph was taken in 1826.

Statistic 25

The art market for photography reached $5.2 billion in 2019.

Statistic 26

Wildlife photography generates over $600 million in revenue annually.

Statistic 27

The average American will spend over $160 on photo prints annually.

Statistic 28

The global photo editing software market is projected to reach $1.11 billion by 2026.

Statistic 29

Wedding photography accounts for 16% of the photography industry revenue.

Statistic 30

Smartphone cameras have replaced traditional digital cameras for over 95% of users.

Statistic 31

The stock photography market is valued at $3 billion globally.

Statistic 32

The global photography services market is estimated to reach $10.7 billion by 2024.

Statistic 33

The photography education market is valued at $58.7 billion globally.

Statistic 34

In 2018, Sony held 20% of the global camera market share.

Statistic 35

The photography industry is expected to grow by 6% annually through 2024.

Statistic 36

The market size of online photo book services is predicted to reach $3 billion by 2026.

Statistic 37

The photography education sector is growing at a rate of 4.4% annually.

Statistic 38

Photography equipment rental services have grown by 15% in the past year.

Statistic 39

Social media users engage 118% more with content containing images than text alone.

Statistic 40

The global camera cleaning market is projected to exceed $70 million by 2025.

Statistic 41

The drone photography market is expected to grow by 20% each year until 2027.

Statistic 42

Online photo-sharing platforms host over 1.4 trillion images.

Statistic 43

The global market for photo printing services is valued at $21 billion.

Statistic 44

Professional photographers spend an average of 7 hours per week editing photos.

Statistic 45

The photography industry is estimated to have generated $10 billion in revenue in 2021.

Statistic 46

The global market for camera drones is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2025.

Statistic 47

Photography-related searches account for 12% of all Google searches.

Statistic 48

The wedding photography industry in the U.S. is valued at $2.7 billion annually.

Statistic 49

It is estimated that over 70% of smartphones will have dual or triple cameras by 2023.

Statistic 50

The digital photo print market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2021-2026.

Statistic 51

The global wedding photography industry is valued at $78 billion.

Statistic 52

Online photo sharing platforms have a user base of over 1.5 billion individuals worldwide.

Statistic 53

The photography equipment rental market is forecasted to grow by 6.8% annually through 2025.

Statistic 54

Over 45% of businesses consider professional photography essential for their branding.

Statistic 55

Wedding photography makes up 15% of the total photography industry revenue worldwide.

Statistic 56

The average photographer in the U.S. charges around $250 per hour for their services.

Statistic 57

The use of DSLRs has declined by 30% in the past five years due to smartphone cameras.

Statistic 58

The stock photography market is expected to grow by 7% annually from 2021 to 2026.

Statistic 59

Nearly 60% of photography enthusiasts belong to the age group of 18-34.

Statistic 60

The photography equipment market is set to exceed $110 billion by 2024.

Statistic 61

The demand for professional portrait photographers has increased by 21% in the past year.

Statistic 62

Print sales represent 48% of revenue for professional photographers.

Statistic 63

Photography is the most searched-for visual content on social media.

Statistic 64

Camera sales in Japan dropped by 40% in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Statistic 65

Photography is the 6th most popular hobby worldwide.

Statistic 66

Portrait photography accounts for 27% of the overall photography market.

Statistic 67

Around 64% of buyers consider high-quality product photos more important than product information.

Statistic 68

The photography industry in Germany is expected to grow by 4.5% in 2022.

Statistic 69

Event photography revenue has increased by 18% in the past five years.

Statistic 70

67% of consumers prefer looking at product photos taken by fellow shoppers rather than professionals.

Statistic 71

The market size of photography software is expected to reach $32.46 billion by 2025.

Statistic 72

The global photo studio equipment market is projected to grow by 6.2% from 2021-2026.

Statistic 73

Women represent 68% of photography students in art schools.

Statistic 74

80% of businesses believe visuals are essential to their marketing strategies.

Statistic 75

The number of photography exhibitions worldwide has increased by 25% in the last two years.

Statistic 76

Photography equipment sales have increased by 48% in the past decade.

Statistic 77

In 2019, the photography equipment market in the U.S. reached $3.2 billion.

Statistic 78

The top-selling camera brand in 2019 was Canon, with a market share of 45%.

Statistic 79

Digital cameras accounted for over 80% of camera sales in 2020.

Statistic 80

The sales of mirrorless cameras have increased by 32% annually since 2015.

Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges

Summary

  • The first photograph was taken in 1826.
  • Over 1.4 trillion digital photos will be taken in 2020.
  • The average person will take around 25,000 selfies in their lifetime.
  • Photography equipment sales have increased by 48% in the past decade.
  • Around 2.5 billion smartphones worldwide have built-in cameras.
  • The art market for photography reached $5.2 billion in 2019.
  • Instagram has over 500 million active daily users sharing photos.
  • Wildlife photography generates over $600 million in revenue annually.
  • The average American will spend over $160 on photo prints annually.
  • The global photo editing software market is projected to reach $1.11 billion by 2026.
  • Wedding photography accounts for 16% of the photography industry revenue.
  • In 2019, the photography equipment market in the U.S. reached $3.2 billion.
  • The average professional photographer in the U.S. earns $34,000 per year.
  • Smartphone cameras have replaced traditional digital cameras for over 95% of users.
  • The stock photography market is valued at $3 billion globally.

Lights, camera, statistics! From the humble beginnings of the first photograph in 1826 to the staggering projection of over 1.4 trillion digital photos taken in 2020, the world of photography has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry that captures our memories, feeds our social media feeds, and fills our walls with art. With the average person snapping around 25,000 selfies in their lifetime and wildlife photography alone generating over $600 million in revenue annually, its clear that the lens through which we view the world is constantly expanding. So grab your camera, strike a pose, and lets dive into the fascinating numbers behind the click of a shutter.

Digital Photo Trends and Usage

  • Over 1.4 trillion digital photos will be taken in 2020.
  • The average person will take around 25,000 selfies in their lifetime.
  • Around 2.5 billion smartphones worldwide have built-in cameras.
  • Instagram has over 500 million active daily users sharing photos.
  • Over 250 billion photos have been uploaded to Facebook since its launch.
  • 80% of internet users own a smartphone with a built-in camera.
  • The average person will take over 1 million photographs in their lifetime.
  • Around 4.4 trillion photos will be stored online by 2022.
  • Close to 70% of all U.S. residents now own a digital camera or smartphone.
  • Non-professional photographers upload 700 million photos to the internet every day.
  • The average American spends 85 minutes per day taking pictures on their smartphones.
  • By 2023, there will be an estimated 7.5 billion mobile devices with built-in cameras worldwide.
  • Smartphone users upload over 1.8 billion digital images to social media daily.
  • Over 85% of all photos taken in 2021 are estimated to be stored digitally.
  • The average engagement rate on posts with photos on Instagram is 23% higher.
  • In 2020, there were over 1.4 trillion photos shared online, a 10% increase from the previous year.
  • 43% of smartphone users say their phone is their primary camera.

Interpretation

In a world where selfies reign supreme and digital memories pile up faster than unread emails, it's clear that photography has become an essential part of our modern lives. With over 1.4 trillion digital photos expected to be captured this year alone, it seems we've collectively embraced the mantra of "snap first, ask questions later." From smartphone cameras that outnumber the population of some countries to the labyrinth of online photo storage vaults, it's no wonder that capturing life's moments has become a global obsession. As we click, swipe, and scroll through this pixelated landscape, it's worth pondering: are we preserving memories or drowning in a sea of snapshots? One thing is for sure - the digital lens is here to stay, shaping how we see the world one selfie at a time.

Employment Outlook in Photography Sector

  • The average professional photographer in the U.S. earns $34,000 per year.
  • The number of professional photographers in the U.S. is expected to grow by 7% by 2026.
  • In the U.S., there are over 218,000 individuals employed as photographers.
  • Photography businesses in the U.S. employ over 110,000 individuals.
  • 38% of professional photographers earn over $50,000 per year.
  • Photography jobs are expected to grow by 8% from 2020-2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Interpretation

In the world of photography, it's not all about capturing the perfect shot; it's also about navigating the financial landscape. With an average annual income of $34,000 for professional photographers in the U.S., it's clear that creativity doesn't always come cheap. However, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon as the industry is poised for growth, with a 7% increase in professionals expected by 2026. Despite the financial ups and downs, it seems that those with a keen eye and a steady hand may just find themselves at the forefront of a flourishing field, where capturing moments can also capture success.

Historical Milestones in Photography

  • The first photograph was taken in 1826.

Interpretation

In the grand scheme of human history, photography is the cool new kid on the block, having only just celebrated its 195th birthday. Capturing moments in time with a simple click has revolutionized the way we see and remember the world around us. From humble beginnings in 1826 to the digital age of selfies and filters, photography continues to evolve, reminding us that sometimes a single snapshot can speak volumes and stand the test of time.

Market Trends in Photography Industry

  • The art market for photography reached $5.2 billion in 2019.
  • Wildlife photography generates over $600 million in revenue annually.
  • The average American will spend over $160 on photo prints annually.
  • The global photo editing software market is projected to reach $1.11 billion by 2026.
  • Wedding photography accounts for 16% of the photography industry revenue.
  • Smartphone cameras have replaced traditional digital cameras for over 95% of users.
  • The stock photography market is valued at $3 billion globally.
  • The global photography services market is estimated to reach $10.7 billion by 2024.
  • The photography education market is valued at $58.7 billion globally.
  • In 2018, Sony held 20% of the global camera market share.
  • The photography industry is expected to grow by 6% annually through 2024.
  • The market size of online photo book services is predicted to reach $3 billion by 2026.
  • The photography education sector is growing at a rate of 4.4% annually.
  • Photography equipment rental services have grown by 15% in the past year.
  • Social media users engage 118% more with content containing images than text alone.
  • The global camera cleaning market is projected to exceed $70 million by 2025.
  • The drone photography market is expected to grow by 20% each year until 2027.
  • Online photo-sharing platforms host over 1.4 trillion images.
  • The global market for photo printing services is valued at $21 billion.
  • Professional photographers spend an average of 7 hours per week editing photos.
  • The photography industry is estimated to have generated $10 billion in revenue in 2021.
  • The global market for camera drones is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2025.
  • Photography-related searches account for 12% of all Google searches.
  • The wedding photography industry in the U.S. is valued at $2.7 billion annually.
  • It is estimated that over 70% of smartphones will have dual or triple cameras by 2023.
  • The digital photo print market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2021-2026.
  • The global wedding photography industry is valued at $78 billion.
  • Online photo sharing platforms have a user base of over 1.5 billion individuals worldwide.
  • The photography equipment rental market is forecasted to grow by 6.8% annually through 2025.
  • Over 45% of businesses consider professional photography essential for their branding.
  • Wedding photography makes up 15% of the total photography industry revenue worldwide.
  • The average photographer in the U.S. charges around $250 per hour for their services.
  • The use of DSLRs has declined by 30% in the past five years due to smartphone cameras.
  • The stock photography market is expected to grow by 7% annually from 2021 to 2026.
  • Nearly 60% of photography enthusiasts belong to the age group of 18-34.
  • The photography equipment market is set to exceed $110 billion by 2024.
  • The demand for professional portrait photographers has increased by 21% in the past year.
  • Print sales represent 48% of revenue for professional photographers.
  • Photography is the most searched-for visual content on social media.
  • Camera sales in Japan dropped by 40% in 2020 due to the pandemic.
  • Photography is the 6th most popular hobby worldwide.
  • Portrait photography accounts for 27% of the overall photography market.
  • Around 64% of buyers consider high-quality product photos more important than product information.
  • The photography industry in Germany is expected to grow by 4.5% in 2022.
  • Event photography revenue has increased by 18% in the past five years.
  • 67% of consumers prefer looking at product photos taken by fellow shoppers rather than professionals.
  • The market size of photography software is expected to reach $32.46 billion by 2025.
  • The global photo studio equipment market is projected to grow by 6.2% from 2021-2026.
  • Women represent 68% of photography students in art schools.
  • 80% of businesses believe visuals are essential to their marketing strategies.
  • The number of photography exhibitions worldwide has increased by 25% in the last two years.

Interpretation

In a world where a picture is worth more than a thousand words, the booming photography industry speaks volumes of our visual culture. From the click of a smartphone camera to the intricate artistry of a professional lens, photography has woven itself into the fabric of our lives, with a market value rivaling that of blockbuster films. As we snap, edit, and share our visual stories, it's clear that the lens through which we view the world is sharper and more dynamic than ever. So, strike a pose, adjust the lighting, and capture the essence of our ever-evolving visual landscape, because in the kingdom of photography, every frame tells a tale worth remembering.

Photography Equipment Sales

  • Photography equipment sales have increased by 48% in the past decade.
  • In 2019, the photography equipment market in the U.S. reached $3.2 billion.
  • The top-selling camera brand in 2019 was Canon, with a market share of 45%.
  • Digital cameras accounted for over 80% of camera sales in 2020.
  • The sales of mirrorless cameras have increased by 32% annually since 2015.

Interpretation

It seems that in the world of photography, the only thing developing faster than technology is the market itself. With equipment sales skyrocketing by 48% in the past decade, it's clear that capturing moments has become not just a hobby but a technological arms race. From Canon reigning supreme with a 45% market share to the digital revolution seizing over 80% of camera sales in 2020, it appears that the future is truly mirrorless - a trend that has been gaining momentum at a breathtaking pace of 32% annually since 2015. Remember, in the world of photography, the only constant is change.

References