Taking photos has never been easier than in the last 10 years thanks to smartphone development. The latest data from photutorial reveals that in 2024, there will be 1.93 trillion photos taken worldwide. For an average American, that’s 20 photos per day. Brits are no different, as previous stats from 2019 revealed that on average, they take 884 photos each year, 468 of which are selfies. In fact, people in the UK take so many photos that 97% of those taking them admit that they ‘shelf’ them on a cloud service .
A new study from Currys of 2,018 participants across the UK reveals another side to the digital clutter, as 15% of Britons admit they never take any pictures.
Data shows that of all the participants in the study who claim they don’t take photos, 64% are men while 36% are women. Numbers also point to a “no snap” attitude being a generational choice, as over half (51%) are over the age of 55 and nearly a fifth (19%) are between 45 and 54 years old. Among participants aged 35-44, only 13% don’t take pictures, 6% between ages 25-34, and 11% of the youngest ones – aged 16-24.
Nearly half of Brits say photos make them happy, but 1 in 6 don’t display any photos at all
The study, while researching the UK’s photo-taking habits, also examined the nation’s photo-printing ones. The same percentage (15%) of Brits that don’t take photos also do not display any photos in their homes. Yet at the same time, nearly half (46%) of the nation agrees that looking at photos makes them feel happy.
Again, men are taking the lead, with 61% saying they do not have any photos displayed in their homes, while only 39% of women say the same.
Numbers also show that older generations are the ones who don’t hang their memories around the house – nearly half of them (49%) are older than 55, and more than a fifth (21%) are between 45 and 54 years old.
Surprisingly, younger generations are the ones that print photos more, despite the fact they have grown up in a digital era. 87% of Brits younger than 25 turn their digital memories into physical ones and display them in their homes. That number is even higher for people between 25-30 where 92% print photos.
For those over 60, the number is lower as only 76% print their memories.
MBACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor Cheryl Sanford explains that this attitude could be influenced by various factors. She said: “‘The choice to not display photos of loved ones in the home can be influenced by various factors such as limited space, relationship dynamics, emotional distancing, loss or grief, or even privacy, as some individuals prefer to keep their family lives and personal space private. Also, choosing not to display photos may be of religious or cultural origin as there can be specific taboos about displaying photos of the deceased.”
You can find the full study here: https://www.currys.co.uk/techtalk/photography/memories-made-better.html
