92 million jobs will be lost by 2030… What does AI mean for your...
AI is no substitute for experiencing the world and telling compelling stories – so our innate photography skills are safe. A recent report published by the World Economic Forum, called The Future of Jobs Report 2025, paints a striking picture: between 2025 and 2030, we’ll see 170 million new jobs emerge while 92 million existing roles will fade away. So what does this report mean for people like us who are passionate about photography? Whether it’s how we make a living, something we do on the side, or purely a passion, stick with me – I’ve found some hope to share.
The Current Landscape
Currently, the UK has about 90,000 professional photographers, while the US has 181,000. In both countries, roughly two-thirds work independently as freelancers or business owners, a pattern mirrored across Western Europe. These figures don’t capture the countless photographers who shoot professionally on the side or offer their services for free as a passion project. According to Zenfolio and Format’s annual survey, portrait photography leads the field at 19.3%, followed by landscapes at 11.4%, and weddings at 8.7%.
Future Trends
While all major photography sectors are projected to grow steadily through 2030, aerial photography, virtual reality, and 360° capture show the most promising growth potential. This aligns with broader tech forecasts. Bloomberg Intelligence and Fortune Business Insights project that the generative AI market will surge by 42% annually, reaching $1.3 trillion by 2032. Meanwhile, augmented reality – rapidly transforming e-commerce and lifestyle experiences – is set to grow 45.4% annually, hitting $1.1 trillion by 2030.
Skills for Success
With the AI-automated future unfolding, job security concerns arise. However, the Future of Jobs Report offers encouraging insights, particularly in its breakdown of skills that employers will value most. Beyond technical prowess in AI and data, companies seek individuals who demonstrate curiosity, a commitment to lifelong learning, leadership, social influence, resilience, adaptability, creativity, and talent management skills.
Thriving in the Future
Curious, creative doers like photographers, filmmakers, and storytellers are uniquely positioned to thrive in the future, whether it’s powered by AI or transformed by automation. Our ability to see the world differently, seize upon moments, and tell compelling stories isn’t just valuable – it’s essential.
