Ten years of evolution and a growing French passion
Conducted by Sociovision (Ifop Group) for Salon de la Photo and AFNUM, the 10ᵉ edition of the Photo Barometer reveals a profound transformation in the French people’s relationship with images. In the space of a decade, photography has gone from a simple leisure activity to a genuine shared culture, where passion, creativity and the quest for meaning are intertwined.
62% of practitioners say they are passionate (+9 points since 2015) and 42% consider themselves experts. Images are becoming a means of identity expression, fueled by social networks, video, and now… artificial intelligence.
Among young people, the “vlogger generation” illustrates this mutation: 47% of Gen Z film daily, while 57% already use AI to retouch or sublimate their images.
The practice of photography is becoming more technical, but remains accessible: the smartphone initiates the youngest, while the camera and accessories (tripod, microphone, stabilizer…) are gaining ground. At the same time, the printed photo retains a strong emotional status: 88% of French people still print their photos, and 70% love to create albums.
Finally, a more open photo culture is emerging: exhibitions, books and documentaries are attracting an increasingly curious public.
Between technological innovation and sensitive experience, photography is becoming a cultural territory in its own right, mirroring our times and our emotions.
