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In the process of sifting through all the contributions, they detect “trend clusters” that entrepreneurs, marketers, designers and journalists can use to guide their own work. Do a search on the site for photography, and you’ll see dozens of styles that Trend Hunters regard as cool.

At first glance, the site can appear overwhelming. But Trend Hunter founder/president Jeremy Gutsche has produced a short video in which he has identified the 20 Trends to Watch in 2009. The 20 trends are listed below, but it’s best to watch the video for examples of what he means.

Photographers and printmakers who know how to print on a variety of materials may benefit from trends such as physical customization/consumer personalization (No. 12) and the rise of do-it-yourself craft businesses (No. 19). On the other hand, the shift into smaller living spaces (No. 3) could eventually reduce the demand for large, framed wall prints. In any case, checking out the site is a good way to kick-start your own creativity as you start thinking about new products and future directions for your business.

TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2009

1. Credit Crunch Couture
2. Remaking History
3. Smallchitecture (Smaller Living Spaces)
4. Political Remixing
5. Brag Materialism
6. 1960s Culture
7. Prefabbed Homes
8. Faux Rockstar
9. Humanization of Pets
10. Style over Tradition
11. Virtual Tourism
12. Physical Customization and Consumer Personalization
13. Urban Gardening
14. Ageless Inspiration
15. Geek Pride (Geek Culture)
16. Shockvertising (particularly on YouTube and Blogs)
17. Hollywood Viral
18. Ugly Beauty (Using models who look “real”)
19. Do-it-Yourself Cottage Industries (People making money from crafts, arts and hobbies)
20. Return to the Kitchen