Discover how Stills’ exclusive 2025 trend report is empowering designers to create authentic, impactful work in an era of visual saturation.
In an era where visual content is increasingly paramount, staying ahead of photography trends has never been more crucial for designers. That’s why we’re excited to see that Stills—the innovative photo-licensing platform revolutionising the design industry—has just released its comprehensive 2025 Photography in Design Trend Report, offering invaluable insights for designers seeking to elevate their work.
In this article, we’ll summarise some of its key findings, while you can download the full report today.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for high-quality and accessible imagery with limited licensing availability (preventing the same images from appearing across multiple campaigns), read our article How Stills is helping designers create their best work.
Photography Trends
1. Candid Photos
The polished aesthetic of the 2010s is officially passé. Today’s audiences are craving authenticity, with brands shifting from selling products to experiences and human connections. This trend captures real, unfiltered moments that feel raw and relatable, particularly evident in lifestyle and clothing brands. As content creator Victoria Stefania notes, “We want to see more of the rough, the real, and the approachable.”
A Woman With Black Hair Smiling Happily In A City Setting by Anne Holiday
2. Abstract/Textural
In 2025, flat design feels increasingly one-dimensional. Abstract and textural imagery adds much-needed depth, giving work tangibility and softening type-heavy layouts. 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.”
3. Dark Imagery
Dramatic visuals featuring deep shadows, muted tones, and bold contrasts are commanding attention across media. Taking inspiration from luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fear of God, this trend amplifies visual impact and creates strikingly modern aesthetics, especially when paired with clean typography.
Sad Silhouette Of A Person Outside A Building At Night by Geanluca Mortarotti.
4. “Flash On”
Direct lighting and vivid subject isolation characterise this dynamic trend that draws immediate attention. High-key flash photography is increasingly employed by brands seeking to appear both authentic and energetic; a great example can be seen at the top of this page. “There’s a higher need for things to feel authentic and ‘real’ in the digital space as we move forward,” says Stefania. This style particularly resonates with audiences that appreciate Y2K aesthetics.
5. JPEG Artifacting
While noise is out, intentional digital artefacts are in. This emerging trend adds a raw, deliberately imperfect quality to images. 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.” These digital imperfections tap into early-internet nostalgia while offering unique visual texture.
6. Collage
Breaking the rules and layering elements create the organised chaos that defines this resurgent trend. “In a time when AI and automation are at the top of my mind, I’ve been drawn to trends with a human element,” says New York-based designer and illustrator Kirsten Holland. By embracing imperfections, collage work produces designs that feel organic and distinctive in today’s crowded visual landscape.
A Woman Hesitantly Reaches Out To Multiple Hands Reaching Out To Her In An Exterior Location During The Day by Elia Pellegrini
Design Trends
7. Half-Finished
The perfectly polished look is giving way to raw, authentic aesthetics with deliberate imperfections. Brands are embracing this hand-drawn, incomplete style to inject personality into their visual identity. Wieden + Kennedy creative director Nik Reed explains, “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.”
8. Cut and Glue
Physical assembly techniques are making a powerful comeback in response to digital saturation. “It’s great to see gravitation toward more tactile projects,” says Brighton-based graphic designer Dan George Hill. “It brings such a unique contrast to our increasingly digital world.” These analogue processes help distinguish work as authentically human, introducing meaningful imperfections.
9. Serifs are King
Typography is experiencing a return to sophistication, with serif fonts counteracting the overly digital aesthetic of recent years. UK-based graphic designer Robert McCombe notes, “It feels like a fusion of pre-tech and modern design, digital and physical, leaving a more lasting impression.” Serifs convey heritage and timelessness while helping designs feel less computer-generated.
Download the report today!
The complete 2025 Photography in Design Trend Report is now available for download through the Stills website, and it’s required reading for designers and photographers alike
As the report emphasises, imagery remains the cornerstone of impactful design. With its curated collection of authentic, pre-cleared photographs and AI-powered search tools, Stills continues to empower designers to create work that resonates with increasingly discerning audiences.
