Fujifilm survey: Nearly 8 in 10 Americans say viewing old photos brings happiness and calm

FUJIFILM North America Corp., partnered with clinical psychologist and mental health expert Dr. Lauren Cook to unveil findings from Frame of Mind, a new survey highlighting the profound impact photography has on emotional well-being. With more than 3 in 4 respondents agreeing that looking through old photos brings them happiness and calm, the survey, commissioned by Fujifilm, underscores the idea that photos—whether taken, shared, or simply looked at—aren’t just snapshots: they are powerful tools to promote happiness, connection, and resilience for people of all ages.

Across demographics, the Frame of Mind survey found that 74% of respondents look at photos to relive personal memories, often evoking feelings of joy and connection. Revealing that many Americans view photography as an important part of their emotional health, photos were found to inspire more smiles (64%), reduce anxiety (58%) and help people feel uplifted (49%).

“Photos act as emotional anchors, grounding us in moments of happiness and connection,” remarks Dr. Cook. “What we’ve found here is that taking a few minutes a day to look through our photos or snap some pics can be a great form of self-care and bring us more joy than things we’ve turned to in the past like shopping, reading, gardening or even journaling.”

Whether digital or printed, the emotional impact of photos is more profound than we may realize. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (71%) agreed that looking at their own photos brings more happiness than scrolling through social media. 84% also said they’re more likely to laugh and smile when they see their old pictures.

Photography’s power isn’t limited to individual well-being—it’s also a key tool for maintaining social connections. Sharing photos helps 71% of people stay in touch with friends, and 66% use them to feel closer to loved ones.

“Photography provides a shared language for expressing our emotions, whether we’re celebrating an achievement, sharing a challenge or simply staying connected with others,” Dr. Cook adds. “This act of sharing photos, especially in times of emotional need, can bolster our sense of belonging and community—critical components of emotional well-being.”

Additional Frame of Mind Key Findings:

• Memory Preservation and Joy: 74% of respondents take photos to preserve everyday moments, while 68% document major milestones.
• More Enjoyment in the Mundane: 71% agree that taking photos increases the enjoyment of an activity.
• Comfort at Home: 8 in 10 people believe displaying photos in their living spaces contributes to greater happiness and comfort.
• A Creative Outlet: 72% of respondents use photography as a form of self-expression, finding joy in capturing and sharing their unique perspectives.
• A Moment of Levity in Times of Grief: 65% of respondents find solace in photos during times of grief and 42% say revisiting old photos is a go-to strategy for cheering themselves up.

“We are more connected through photos than ever before, and the emotional and social benefits they bring, as shown by these survey results, cannot be overstated,” noted Bing Liem, Division President, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Photography, in all its forms, is a powerful tool for emotional well-being and our commitment to preserving memories and enhancing human connections through this medium has never been stronger.”

For more than nine decades, Fujifilm has been at the forefront of innovation in the imaging industry, driven by the belief that photos are much more than pictures—they are reflections of who we are and the connections we cherish. Fujifilm is committed to its purpose of bringing the world more smiles by fostering opportunities for personal expression, connection and joy through the power of photography.

The Frame of Mind survey was conducted by MarketVision Research.  Findings are based on a survey conducted during 11/25/2024 – 12/4/2024 among 2,014 US-based respondents representative of the U.S. general population.  The margin of error is +/- 2.2 at the 95% confidence level.