The shift from influencer energy
2026 has come in hot, and it already feels like it has a lot to say.
Between shifting roles, new starts, and a general sense that the ground is still moving under our feet, one thing feels certain… how we show up as business owners is changing, and fast.
Let’s talk about AI for a minute.
We’re still in the honeymoon phase…lapping up with excitement how “easy” it makes everything. And while there’s real value there, history tells us what happens next. After the initial obsession wears off, what becomes scarce, and therefore valuable, is the human part.
We saw this with digital photography. After the rush to convenience, film came roaring back… not as nostalgia, but as a premium, bespoke experience. Slower, intentional, tangible.
The same thing is happening now.
As more interactions become artificial, real human presence becomes more valuable. People want to see your authority and your imperfections. Your personality and your process. Not just a polished persona — but proof that you know what you’re doing.
Influencer-style performance is losing ground.
2026 is asking for natural authority, in action.
So what does that mean for branding photography?
First, ownership is definitely having a moment.
More businesses are stepping off platforms they don’t control — exhausted by the churn, the algorithms, and the pressure to constantly perform for attention that disappears just as quickly. Being “everywhere” is giving way to being intentional.
Think websites, blogs, newsletters and communities.
Spaces where you actually own the relationship.
And when you’re speaking directly to the people you’re meant to serve, your voice matters more. Your point of view comes into focus. What you say and how you say it starts to land with more weight.
Images follow suit.
Brand photography isn’t about performance anymore.
It’s about support.
Supporting your voice.
Your values.
Your way of working.
The work that stands out now isn’t loud. It’s clear.
Strong, clean imagery that’s consistent, grounded, and rooted in purpose. It’s less about competing for attention and more about earning trust.
That’s what natural authority looks like.
And it’s exactly what this moment is asking for.
