Licensing development alert! Eco/sustainable Christmas

In keeping with analysis from Google, 82% of shoppers agree that sustainability is extra top-of-mind for them than it was earlier than the pandemic, with 78% saying that large companies have a job in serving to to fight local weather change. Google Search information additional indicated that buyers are in search of on a regular basis actions they will take to make a distinction, resembling recycling or selecting sustainable supplies.

As shoppers proceed to show to manufacturers for inspiration and sustainable options to wasteful merchandise, the panorama of promoting—and visible advertising—has shifted with it. This transformation has been brewing for just a few years now: in 2020, as we navigated the primary 12 months of the pandemic, Getty Photos inspired image-makers (and image-buyers) to ditch the visuals depicting overconsumption (e.g., wrapping paper, meals waste, and so forth) and as an alternative select photos that illustrate a round financial system, have a good time purchasing native, or prioritize reusable items and merchandise.

As we head into the vacation season, we took a better take a look at how photographers right this moment can assist their industrial shoppers join with clients over shared values, whereas additionally illustrating the straightforward, on a regular basis adjustments we will make right this moment for a greater world tomorrow.

Highlight on: Decorations

As a part of their 2022 Vacation Developments report, launched in the summertime, Etsy named “nature themes” as one in every of their prime decor tendencies, citing curiosity in dried flowers, branches, greenery, botanical parts, and extra; searches on Etsy for “department chandelier,” as an illustration, rose by 56% 12 months over 12 months, whereas “pure picket tea candle holder” elevated by 129%.

Introduction calendars could be made with reusable supplies and full of do-it-yourself goodies. You may swap out conventional incandescent lights for candles or LEDs. In terms of Christmas timber, you’ll be able to scale back your footprint by purchasing domestically and reusing timber; in New York, as an illustration, you’ll be able to donate timber to Mulchfest, which recycles timber into woodchips for metropolis parks. Some have even gotten artful by making their very own timber utilizing recycled supplies like reclaimed branches, and others have adorned dwelling timber outdoor of their yards.

And eventually, many have opted to lease timber quite than shopping for them; you get the tree, nonetheless potted, after which give it again to the farm as soon as the vacation’s over. Some farms will lease timber annually till they’re able to be planted; you would additionally discover a corporation that donates your tree to reforestation tasks.

Highlight on: DIY items

Etsy additionally included “handmade items” as a prime development this 12 months, with buyer searches for “craft equipment child” rising by 26% 12 months over 12 months and people containing the time period “equipment DIY” going up 24%. When photographing the DIY motion, you’ll be able to cowl each step within the course of, from the preliminary sourcing of supplies and substances to the ultimate presentation of the reward to a cherished one.

Elsewhere, analysis performed final 12 months by Accenture revealed that just about one in 4 shoppers deliberate to purchase supplies to create handmade items for the vacations, with one in three planning to exchange conventional wrapping paper with sustainable options.

When planning your subsequent pictures session, contemplate edible items over electronics and battery-powered toys, or go for high-quality merchandise fabricated from bamboo. Possibly you staff up with a buddy to {photograph} their side-hustle promoting do-it-yourself candles (or loose-leaf teas, or classic wares…). Or maybe you set up a nonetheless life/product shoot that includes baked items, jams, or sauces—plus reused, eco-friendly materials for wrapping.

Highlight on: Second-hand purchasing or purchasing native

In keeping with that very same report from Accenture, 37% of shoppers stated they might probably store second-hand for the vacations, so you may also contemplate a thrifting-themed photograph session, both on-line or in-person.

Final 12 months, thredUP’s Thrift for the Holidays report indicated that just about one in two consumers (49%) thought of options like thrifting amid rising reward costs, restricted stock, and transport delays. Amongst Gen Zers, 73% stated they had been open to receiving a second-hand reward.

After all, purchasing native is one other option to scale back your footprint this season. Additionally in 2021, over half of respondents to a survey from Twitter Insiders stated they’d be making an effort to buy native for Christmas, with 40% of British shoppers wanting to purchase extra from manufacturers and companies primarily based within the UK.

Regardless of the place you’re primarily based, you’ll be able to faucet into this motion by teaming up with native outlets, small enterprise homeowners, or their suppliers. You may contemplate providing a reduction in trade for permission to license the photographs your self (get these signed mannequin and property releases). Be certain that to keep away from any branded particulars, signage, or logos in your pictures should you plan to license them.

Highlight on: Plastic-free all the things

Final 12 months, analysis from Twitter for Enterprise additional discovered that 56% of shoppers within the UK needed to keep away from presents fabricated from or containing plastics, with 60% of Twitter customers actively deciding on meals with little or no packaging to keep away from Christmastime waste.

Contemplate plastic-free options for all the things this Christmas—from items to decorations to groceries. Store for plant-based glitter options to keep away from microplastics. For stocking stuffers for family members, contemplate merchandise that assist them reside extra sustainably, resembling reusable metallic straws or water bottles.

Highlight on: Eats

In 2021, we inspired Licensing Contributors to faucet into the plant-based motion throughout the vacation season, and 2022 isn’t any completely different. As a part of a latest development report, Getty Photos spotlighted “plant-based indulgence,” citing curiosity in dairy-free ice lotions, luxurious vegan candies, “cheeze” dips, and seaweed chips.

Plant-based options to our favourite vacation meals make for evergreen content material that speaks to the significance of dwelling sustainably, so carry family and friends collectively for a way of life shoot round a vegan cooking theme. Or perform some research on native, moral vegan farms, or go to the farmers’ marketplace for substances to your subsequent meals shoot.

Highlight on: Giving again

Final however actually not least, the 500px staff additionally urges Licensing Contributors to contemplate signing, adorning, and mailing forest-friendly, plantable Christmas playing cards—that’s, greetings made with plantable paper and wildflower or carrot seeds. You might additionally shadow somebody who’s giving again for the vacations by volunteering as a part of a tree-planting initiative or donating to a sustainable trigger.

In america, we produce 25% extra waste between Thanksgiving and the New Yr, accounting for an additional a million tons of landfill waste weekly. Right here’s the excellent news: in 2020, a examine from IBM discovered that greater than half (54%) of world shoppers surveyed stated that they had been prepared to alter their habits to scale back their impression on the surroundings, with 44% reporting that they’d contemplate sustainability “to an awesome extent” when purchasing or selecting a model to help.

Small adjustments could make a big distinction, so use this vacation season to have a good time the actions you (or members of your neighborhood) soak up your on a regular basis life, and assist make them really feel extra accessible for folks world wide—for generations to return. Going ahead, photos that take our values into consideration will show probably the most enduring and efficient. “Get inventive,” the 500px staff suggests. “Use these concepts to construct off of, and get impressed to create your individual.”

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