From low-fi graphics and neon colors to gradients and more inclusive imagery of people living vibrant lives, here are five top photography trends to help inspire your shoots this year:
Y2K Aesthetic
One of the biggest trends for 2023 is the Y2K aesthetic. Influenced by a distinct visual style popular in late 90’s and early 2000’s, the Y2K vibe is characterized by low-fi graphics, neon colors, and a technological, futuristic yet retro feel influenced by pop culture of the era as well as early internet aesthetics.
The Y2K aesthetic often includes elements such as metallic, chrome, neon lights and iridescent materials as well as textures such as fur, plastic and glitter.
Colors such as bubblegum pink, blazing orange, icy blue, and lime green are popular colors to include for a Y2K look.
Photo of leaves by the Zamurovic Brothers // Photo of one leaf by the Zamurovic Brothers
Photo of arrow by the Zamurovic Brothers // Photo of monitor by the Zamurovic Brothers
Photo of unicorn by the Zamurovic Brothers // Photo of glitter pill pack by the Zamurovic Brothers
The Y2K aesthetic can also be implemented in images with people through wardrobe styling, such as fur coats as well as with lighting choices like neon signs. For a grittier Y2K look, movies like Blade Runner and the Fifth Element are great references that lean 90s and 2000s cyberpunk to help inspire images with this trend.
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography // Photo by Jacob Lund Photography
Gradients and Duotones
Another photography trend for 2023 is the use of gradients and duotones, both of which are Y2K adjacent.
Gradients in photos refer to a gradual change of color or tone from one point to another, also called “color transitions.” They are commonly used in graphic design and photography to create a smooth transition between two colors or shades, giving a sense of depth and dimension. One way to create gradients in your photos is to use colored gels over your flash or studio lights. For the best color combinations for gradients, refer to a color wheel and color theory.
Duotones are images that use two colors to produce a range of shades in between. Gradients can be created from using a duotone color scheme, blending the trends.
Photo by the Zamurovic Brothers
Photo by the Zamurovic Brothers // Photo by the Zamurovic Brothers
Gradients can also be created in editing software such as Photoshop by overlaying a gradient filter.
Photo by Simone Hutsch // Photo by Simone Hutsch
The duotone photography trend is not only for images of objects or architecture–it can be used to inspire portraits through wardrobe or lighting choices.
Modern Aging
As the population ages, a huge photography trend for 2023 is more images of people over 50 that are authentic and positive. Photos of older people hiking, having dinner, dating, working in offices, using technology and participating in hobbies, such as photography or biking and living full, vibrant lives are highly desired.
For more tips on how to create images that better represent older individuals living full, vibrant lives, check out our interview with Center for Ageing Better.
For specific needs of photos of older people, check out Noun Project’s Dynamic Aging call for photos.
Photo from Centre for Ageing Better
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography // Photo by Artem Varnitsen
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography // Photo from Centre for Ageing Better
Photo from Centre for Ageing Better
Minimalism
Minimalism in photography is a style characterized by simplicity and the use of a limited number of elements in the image. While minimalism has never gone out of style, its prevalence in photography is a trend on the rise for 2023.
The minimalism aesthetic utilizes a minimal number of compositional elements such as a simple color palette, clean lines and makes use of negative space to create a sense of calm and order. The goal of minimalistic photography is to draw the viewer’s attention to the essential elements of the scene allowing them to see the beauty in simplicity.
Negative space, a central tenet in minimalism, is important for social media managers and designers, for example, to allow for copy and text to be placed n the image.
The images below also exemplify another big trend for 2023: bold colors.
Photo by Yes Photographers // Photo by Marija Vukovic
Photo by Yes Photographers // Photo by Yes Photographers
Whereas these minimalistic images feature an opposite color trend for 2023: pastel color tones and a monochromatic color scheme in the black and white images below.
Photo by Simone Hutsch // Photo by Simone Hutsch
Photo from Scopio // Photo from Scopio
Diversity and Inclusion
Representation matters. Seeing people who look like oneself in media, including photos, can positively impact self-esteem and increase a sense of belonging. Representation can also help build a sense of belonging for individuals who have previously been underrepresented or misrepresented in media, and seeing diverse groups and individuals represented in photos can help break down harmful stereotypes, promoting more nuanced and respectful understanding.
Make a commitment to diversity in 2023—a commitment and a practice to work towards creating a more inclusive and equal society through the images you choose to create.
At Noun Project, we curate our content through the lens of diversity and inclusion—and our users and customers flock toward our most diverse content. Images of women of various ages and racial backgrounds in leadership positions were consistently in our top 100 images downloaded in 2022, including images of older women as CEOs, Asian women as business leaders and Black men working in tech.
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography // Photo by Jacob Lund Photography
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography // Photo by Jacob Lund Photography
Photo by Jacob Lund Photography
The most downloaded photos from our Noun Project Originals collection include images featuring a transgender woman as CEO, a mature biracial Indigenous and Mexican woman as a film director, a non-binary person working in an office, and images of a multiracial family of two married women and infant daughter featuring their day-to-day family life at home.
In our top 100 downloaded images with people, an average of 75% of those images feature people from underrepresented communities including:
- People with a disability
- BIPOC people
- Women in leadership roles
- Older people
- Older women in leadership roles
- BIPOC people in leadership roles
Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project
Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project // Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project
Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project
Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project // Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project
Photo by Suzanne Strong for Noun Project
Use these 2023 photography trends as a guide to inspire new images for the year. Make them your own, have fun and always keep shooting!
Interested in joining our community of photographers and contributing to Noun Project? Submit your photos and explore our guide to creating authentic, inclusive images.
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Creative Director for Photos at Noun Project and Photographer
