Smartphones and Facebook killing family photo history

The impact of smartphones and devices such as the iPad will have a significant impact on the photo industry, according to a yet-to-be-released research report commissioned by PMA and PICA.

Advances in camera phone technology and the increasing popularity of social networking websites have been identified as critical factors affecting the future development of the ‘traditional’ camera and image preservation market.

The full report will be available to PMA and PICA members in due course but the groups have released some findings which show that Australians are at risk of ‘losing’ their family’s photographic history forever.

According to the research, while more photos are being taken than in the “film days”, 85% of families are using a computer hard drive for long-term storage with only 55% of people printing their images.

“This is a recipe for disaster,” claims PICA executive director Paul Curtis. “In a few years, the average person will have no way of finding photos which record their family history.

Making prints or photo books is the only sure way for family photos to be enjoyed by future generations.”

Curtis said the research showed that while the average family takes more than 800 photos a year, 48% choose to share their photos with families and friends via online social networking sites such as Facebook.

In the 18-24 year-old age group, 81% of people are using social network sites rather than have prints made.