They say time moves faster as you get older. At fifty-seven, I can tell you—it’s no joke. I’m still scribbling last year’s date in my journal, and suddenly it’s summer again. Then holiday decorations hit, and I’m asking myself where the year went.

So this time, I’m looking forward. What trends are shaping the way we shoot, print, and share our stories? Here’s what I’m predicting.

What’s shaping photography in 2026

Film finds its footing again

Let’s start with photography. Can you say analog? Yes, film lovers, things are looking up! 

Kodak recently announced the release of two moderately priced color negative films, Kodacolor 100 and Kodacolor 200. Film prices have increased significantly in recent years, so having affordable film choices is step one in assuring film’s survival. 

A parallel trend is the widespread adoption of using a digital camera to “scan” film, rather than using traditional film scanners. There aren’t many good scanner options left, and using a camera to copy your negatives is much quicker, offering a high-resolution file that works wonderfully.  

Alternative processes go mainstream

Keeping with the analog theme, another trend of 2026 will be the continued use of alternative processes in photographic practice. Two alternative processes I’m seeing increase in popularity are cyanotypes and platinum-palladium prints. 

Cyanotype photography is a cameraless technique that involves laying an object on paper coated with a solution of iron salts before exposing it to UV light and washing with water to create stunning blue and white images. Cyanotypes are being used as book covers, exhibition prints, and even clothing made from the designs and patterns.   

Platinum-palladium printing is a traditional wet-chemistry process that dates to the mid-nineteenth century. It is a practice that yields archival prints with a subtle yet wide tonal range. Platinum-palladium prints are highly sought-after by photography collectors. Learning and experimenting with the process returns the photographer to an alchemical, hands-on practice far from anything in the digital space. 

AI becomes part of the workflow

The last photography trend I see continuing in 2026 is the increased acceptance of artificial intelligence. The speed at which AI entered the professional photography world is staggering. Not only will professional photography clients turn to AI for generating the images they require, but professional photographers will continue to use AI to assist with things like editing, contract writing, research, and more. 

So far, there are two camps: those who oppose and those who embrace this new technology. But the acceptance and increased refinement of AI will only continue to build. And with that rise, we will see increasing attempts by creators who want to ensure that customers know their work was created by a human and not by a machine. 

What’s next for books

Self-publishing keeps growing

When it comes to book trends for 2026, I’ll start with the continued rise of the self-published photobook. This is a perfect time to remind everyone that creators were self-publishing before they were traditionally publishing. In fact, there were no photobook-specific publishers when people first placed photographs in books. 

Today, traditional photobook publishers face a challenging economic model that often requires sizable monetary contributions from the creator. In some cases, the creator has to front the entire cost of the book. Consequently, many have turned to self-publishing. 

I also notice the trend of creators or collectives establishing their own imprint and then self-publishing under that imprint, making it appear as if a smaller, lesser-known publisher published them. To try this method, design a logo for your imprint and add it to your publication. Those who want to go further can build a site dedicated to the imprint, showing the full range of publications. 

Small runs, big impact

2026 will also see the trend of small book runs. The days of books being published in the 5,000 to 3,000 book range are mostly behind us. There are plenty of exceptions to this rule, especially when the book is story-driven and comes from a famous person, but most creator-driven books will see much smaller print runs in the 200 to 500-book range. 

It might seem counterintuitive, but small book runs can be much better for the creator. Selling through a short run means you’re not sitting on boxes in your garage—you can finish a project, learn from it, and move on to the next one. And for many creators, placement matters more than sales. Getting your book into the hands of the right curator or collector can do more for your career than selling a copy to a stranger. Print 200, place fifty, sell the rest—that’s a sustainable way to make books and keep making more.

The new standard is digital

The final book trend of 2026 will be the continued rise of digital printing. Most traditionally printed books are done on an offset press, but this is changing rapidly, especially due to the smaller print runs I mentioned above. 

Digital print quality is now extremely good, and digitally printed books can be produced much quicker than offset runs and can also be printed domestically as opposed to traditional, overseas offset locations like China, Italy, or Iceland, where you may need to wait eight to twelve weeks, or longer, for your book to ship. Yes, literally, a ship is involved. 

Decades ago, the difference between digital printing and offset was glaring and obvious, but today, the differences can be nearly imperceptible. Offset does offer a range of custom options that digital might not, so each offering has its benefits, and each publishing project should be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Where it’s all headed

All trends are subject to change, but when I see and feel what’s happening out there in the big, bad world of photography and bookmaking, these are a few of the things I feel good about predicting. What a time we live in. So many choices, so many options, and an ever-changing theatre of vibrant creative vision. No matter what trends emerge, I hope you continue to create and share your work. I know I will.

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Dan Milnor makes, writes, and teaches about photography and self-publishing. As Blurb’s creative ambassador, he helps creators turn ideas into something you can hold. Join Blurb to get Dan’s insights in your inbox and start printing your next idea.