Street photography has always been a dynamic and evolving genre, capturing the pulse of urban life in all its raw, unfiltered glory. As we move into 2025, street photography is poised for even greater transformation. New technologies, shifting cultural trends, and the rise of social media platforms are changing how photographers approach this powerful form of storytelling. Here’s a look at the future of street photography in 2025 and the key trends that will define its next chapter.
The Role of Technology: AI and Smartphones
In 2025, we’re likely to see street photographers leveraging new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and enhanced smartphone capabilities. AI-powered cameras and editing tools will allow photographers to push creative boundaries in ways that were previously unimaginable. AI can help with real-time image recognition, enabling photographers to capture candid moments with even more precision. Smartphone cameras will continue to improve, offering street photographers a highly portable and less conspicuous option for their craft.
Moreover, the use of AI in post-production will help photographers enhance their images, fine-tune lighting, and even create composite images effortlessly, sparking new creative possibilities in the genre.
How do you think emerging technologies like AI, smartphone cameras, and advanced editing software will impact street photography in 2025?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam: AI appeared massively 2 years ago. We were
Street Macadam and other street photo hubs the first to go to war on these photos that invaded
Instagram. We communicated massively on the fact that we will never share a photo generated by AI. Today we see a significant drop in its use in the photos we see.
This is of course not because of us, but I think that photographers have seen the limits of AI and above all the effect of the novelty has passed.
What role do you see for AI-powered tools in post-production and real-time image enhancement in street photography?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam:Street photography, like documentary photography, involves a certain ethic. I think that photographers are gradually turning their backs on AI, to keep the very essence of their photo, namely accurately transmitting a lived situation, transcribing a scene by the sole fact of their talent.
Photography in its purest tradition has spanned the centuries to this day, and our duty is to continue to promote it and honor it through its basics.
With smartphones continuing to improve, do you think traditional camera gear will still hold its ground in street photography?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam: Smartphones continue to improve, but despite the increasing quality of their cameras and software, there is a physical reality, which is that traditional lenses are composed in such a way (with a series of polished lenses with different radii of curvature and developed with special glasses, added to this specific chemical treatments) to render an optimum rendering in all situations. Smartphones are always wanting to be lighter, with a contained size. They will never compete with a traditional lens. This does not take away from the technical prowess of the engineers of these telephone brands.
Social Media Influence and Exposure
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and others have become key outlets for street photographers to share their work. In 2025, these platforms will continue to drive the democratization of street photography, giving photographers of all skill levels a global stage. With the rise of influencer culture and short-form video content, street photographers will increasingly turn to these platforms to showcase not just stills but also the stories behind their shots through engaging videos.
However, as these platforms evolve, street photographers will need to adapt to the changing landscape of digital content. It will be crucial to balance authenticity with the desire for viral content. Street photographers may find themselves experimenting with new formats like live-streaming or interactive experiences to maintain audience engagement.
How do you balance technology and authenticity in your work?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam: In street photography, the cameras used are generally small or compact devices. I take the example of the Fujifilm X Pro, X100 or XT (which is a slightly larger body). Many also use Ricoh or Leica. I think that the technology that allows us to offer this type of increasingly powerful device in a compact body helps us on a daily basis to capture scenes of life in a more discreet way.
Whether it is by the size of the body, or the 24-28 or 35mm lenses, but also by their silence of use, or also their digital screens which allow us not to use the viewfinder, are assets to take photos in all circumstances, sometimes in a more discreet way.
Social media platforms have played a significant role in shaping the street photography landscape. How do you think their influence will evolve in the next few years?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam: This is a question that is difficult to answer in a general way. For our part, we believe that the Street Photography Hubs will continue to last and share the photo work of many photographers. I think that this work, which requires a lot of time and organization, is necessary to continue to promote the work of street photographers. At Street Macadam, we are constantly trying to innovate or offer new angles. For 2 years, we have been organizing 1-hour live streaming in different languages (English/Portuguese/Spanish and Italian). We have also started offering a series of interviews with world-renowned photographers in documentary photography or street photography on our website.
This first interview was done with Photo-Reporter Jason Florio.
We are also planning to launch our YouTube soon with reportages following street photographers.
I think it’s important to continue to promote street photography, which is in our eyes an art in its own right in the world of photography.
Emphasis on Diversity and Social Commentary
Street photography has long been a platform for social commentary, and this trend will only grow in importance. As global movements advocating for social justice, equality, and environmentalism gain momentum, street photographers will continue to document the changing world around them. In 2025, we expect to see a greater emphasis on diversity in both the subjects and photographers themselves. Voices from marginalized communities will become even more prominent in the street photography scene.
As society becomes more aware of social issues, street photography will also focus on highlighting the stories of underrepresented groups, shedding light on everyday struggles, and documenting the world through a lens of empathy and inclusivity.
Do you think street photographers will need to adapt to new forms of content, like short-form videos or live streaming, to stay relevant in 2025?
And also, how important is social media exposure for street photographers, and how do you maintain authenticity while engaging with these platforms?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam:This brings us back to your previous question about the balance between technology and authenticity of photographic work.
I think that the different platforms that exist to help promote the work of each photographer are also constantly progressing.
Today, they have the possibility of sharing videos of their shots but also of appearing in live, to share different things with their community.
I think that each photographer now has different communication palettes, but also new platforms that are emerging.
I am thinking of the app “Foto”, which has been a huge success since its launch a few weeks ago. The influence of all these platforms, Instagram/ Facebook/ YouTube/ Discord/ or Foto are essential to any photographer wanting to get out of their comfort zone, and wanting to open up to new opportunities.
These media help photographers to make themselves known, and very often allow them to find new projects.
Let’s not forget the essential work of specialized newspapers.
The printed press is also a major medium, and helps to promote street photography. I take “Réponses photo” as an example.
Their editorial work is of very high quality and essential for the world of photography in general.
Street photography has always had a social commentary aspect. What issues or themes do you see emerging in street photography as we move into 2025?
And how do you see the role of street photography in highlighting social justice movements, diversity, and environmental concerns?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam:I think that street photography has always been a direct witness to the changes or evolution of our society. We do not realize today the impact that our photographs of today will have in the future. I think that street photographers naturally bear witness by photographing the world around them. They bring their knowledge and technique to make their images beautiful, aesthetic and authentic. Then let's not confuse street photography with documentary photography. I think that these photographers who work as close as possible to the conflicts of the planet, will continue to offer us the reality of what they witness. Their testimonies through the centuries are essential to the duty of remembrance.
I think that the two disciplines are complementary, and that all of these photos provide reliable testimony to what the world is like.
Do you believe that the voices of underrepresented groups will become more prominent in the street photography community in the coming years?
Stéphane Kyndt Photographer & founder of Street Macadam: I think that the world is evolving despite worrying signs of social regression in many countries (in Europe/the United States and in many countries around the world). I dare to hope that street photography and documentary photography will open the eyes of the leaders of the countries concerned. I dare to hope that the practice of street photography will extend to the greatest number of people. I dare to hope that the world will one day evolve in a positive way, in a responsible way and that the work of photographers will also bear witness to these changes.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
The importance of sustainability will also shape the future of street photography. Photographers will be more mindful of the environmental impact of their gear, travel, and shooting practices. As eco-consciousness grows, many photographers will opt for sustainable products, such as eco-friendly camera bags and green processing techniques, and may prioritize shooting in their local environments to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition, street photographers will likely become more engaged with capturing environmental issues, from documenting the effects of climate change to promoting awareness of sustainability in urban environments. In this sense, street photography will not just reflect society but also encourage positive change.
The Hybridization of Styles
The boundaries between different photography genres are increasingly blurred. In 2025, we can expect to see street photographers experimenting with a broader range of styles. Whether it’s blending street photography with portraiture, documentary, or even abstract art, the genre will continue to evolve in exciting ways. This hybrid approach allows photographers to express their creativity more freely while offering fresh perspectives on the urban environment.
Some photographers might even use digital manipulation or 3D photography to create a surreal or fantastical vision of urban life, pushing the boundaries of what street photography is traditionally understood to be.
Escape, Stranger in the night 4 © Olga Karlovac
I would say that a lot comes down to artistic freedom—allowing the genre to evolve naturally and seeing where it leads.
Of course, as in many other fields, AI presents a challenge in the art world in general, and street photography is no exception. We still don’t know the full extent of its impact. Personally, I don’t believe AI can replace human emotion and the human touch in art.
When it comes to experimentation in my own work, I try to let it happen organically without overthinking it. I believe in granting the same freedom to any artist, and in a few years, it will be fascinating to see what we’ve collectively created. It’s almost impossible to predict how the genre will evolve from here... I love experimentation—but the human kind!
