24 fingers pinpoint the visual trends making the headlines in 2017

1. Up, Up and Away

Crystal blue oceans, majestic temples, rugged landscapes — travel photography has been feeding our wanderlust since, well, forever. With millions of breathtaking travel scenes being shared from across the globe on a daily basis, we’re always on the lookout for tools and techniques that will make ours and our clients’ photos truly unique, stand out from the insta-crowd and soar above the average. If you haven’t already seen, drone cameras are doing just that.

Taking photography to new heights, drones, which were once exclusive to the military and on a need-to-know basis, offer a new, dazzling perspective on the world. Thanks to advances in digital imagery and seriously sharp cameras, travel photography is increasingly moving into airspace, whether capturing a vibrant patchwork of tulip fields or the snaking roads and towering skyscrapers of a metropolis. Drone cameras can fly inches above the ground, weave through forest canopies, soar high over a wide-sweeping landscape – they have hovered their way into the social stratosphere, and they are here to stay.

2. Oh My Quad

Approaching over 42 million (!) posts on Instagram alone, the ‘fitspo’ movement is more than just a burgeoning trend – it’s an online phenomenon whose essence is to inspire and motivate. Hi-5 to that.

3. Food as Art

We’ve all been there: bent in all sorts of strange angles, trying to capture the swirled frosting on our cupcakes, or the yolk from an Eggs Benedict spilling from our knife onto our plate like liquid gold. Taking pictures of our food has become an art form, with everyone from the novice foodie to the restaurant critic sinking their teeth into the irresistible ‘foodstagram’ trend.

Truth is, everyone loves pictures to sift through and drool over. You can read a recipe with detailed instructions on how to make the perfect Victoria sponge, but a beautifully composed photo of the finished product says it in a way that words sometimes just can’t do justice. In fact, food photography has become such an enormous trend, it’s even inspired its own subtrends, like ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ curation – the latest trend that plays with the charm of imperfection. A delectable plate of food can do no wrong. Time to combine your passion for food and photography to delicious effect.

4. Flat Out Fabulous

In an age dominated by visual media, fashion’s ruffles, patterns and eclectic shapes steal the spotlight. From what the most stylish celebrities are wearing to the biggest trends right off the runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan, social media platforms (pun intended) continue to be used as a form of expression for the fast-paced world of fashion. Darling, it’s all about capturing the inescapably tactile nature of a dress, the beautiful suede material on a pair of boots, your own distinctive style - all for the world to see.

Feeling ready to incorporate some of these trends in your own social feeds? Our only piece of advice? #JustDoIt. Have some fun experimenting, see what works, use data insights to see what doesn’t and go for it. You’ll be setting some trends of your own in no time.