What were the most missed photo opportunities in 2021?

Pictures of family holidays have been found to be the most missed photo opportunity of 2021. Almost one in five Brits (17%) have missed taking special snaps of holidays with loved ones, according to research.

The Opinium poll, which questioned Brits about how the pandemic restrictions impacted their ability to take photos and make memories, found that other major missed photo opportunities included social gatherings (14%), holidays with friends (13%), and birthdays (12%).

Brits also missed being able to take pictures from festivals or concerts (8%) and welcoming in the New Year (8%).

Most missed photo opportunities of 2021

1) Family holidays – 17%

2) Social gatherings – 14%

3) Holidays with friends – 13%

4) Birthdays – 12%

= 5) Festivals or concerts – 8%

= 5) New Year 2021 – 8%

According to our research, almost four in ten (39%) UK adults have missed taking pictures at events in 2021. This is especially true for women (41%) more than men (37%). Younger people also seem to have missed getting behind the lens more than older photographers. 55% of photographers aged between 18-34 claimed they missed taking photos, compared to just over 30% in those over 55.

Music festivals were reported to be one of the most missed events during lockdown for photographers.

Over 55’s seem to have missed those intimate moments more than most, with one in four in this demographic (25%) citing this as the photo opportunity they have missed the most. This compares to just 12% of 18-34 year olds, who reported holidays with friends (15%) and university graduation (13%) as their most missed moments.

Which regions missed taking photographs the most?

At a regional level, the research found that Wales was the area that most missed taking family holiday pictures this year, with nearly half (46%) citing it as the occasion they’ve most missed being unable to capture on camera.

The Northeast missed taking photos at birthday parties (26%), East Midlands claimed it was general social gatherings (29%) and those in Yorkshire (16%) were the most likely to miss taking festival photos.

Photographers in Bristol were the most excited about being able to take festive photos.

Looking ahead, moments spent with family – most notably Christmas 2021 and holidays (both 14%) are far ahead of any upcoming moment people are looking forward to capturing. Christmas-mad Bristolians are really looking forward to the big day, with 24% of residents excited to take pictures of the festive fun, whereas Brighton is relatively Scrooge-like, with only 3% looking forward to snaps with Santa.