Photography has come a long way since its inception in the 19th century. Only about a century ago did it finally become recognized as a form of fine art. But now, a new trend is emerging in the world of photography - NFT photography - and it's making waves among younger collectors.
In 2021, data showed that the NFT photography market grew to $200 million, rivaling the size of the traditional fine art print photography market. This new market is empowering photographers and inspiring collectors by creating value through context and curated collections.
As NFT photography gains popularity, it's clear that it's migrating toward the qualities inherent in fine art photography that have endured over a century. There's an inherent beauty, relatability, and humanity to photography that allows us to connect with the pieces on deep levels. And now, NFT photos are not valued for the same properties as other NFTs because they generally lack the rarity elements that are sought after in PFPs and generative art. This means that people are buying what appeals to them, what they find interesting, and what they resonate with most. Often, that's artistic quality.
People collect NFT photography because it fills the emotional void that lives in the NFT world. While we might connect and identify with a certain PFP or be intrigued by generative art, nothing in the NFT space has ever brought us to tears except NFT photography and photogrammetry. As an emerging market, there will be ups and downs, but early participants will likely be huge beneficiaries. Most of us were not collecting Sherman photographs for $100 in the early 1980s, but we are here now as the major artists of 21st-century photography emerge on the blockchain.
Enter IKIGAI LABS, a platform supporting photographic artists by empowering them and inspiring collectors through access, context, and curated collections. We are proud to be part of this movement, helping to bring the beauty of photography to a wider audience and supporting the leading fine art photographers of today and tomorrow. The future of photography is here, and we're excited to be a part of it.