Research polling 2,000 adults found that after spending so much time indoors this year, half have had enough of the digital life and are starting to appreciate physical items again.
As a result, 56 per cent believe people are turning to real photos rather than their digital counterparts.
Of those, 49 per cent think printed photos now have ‘more value’ than digital ones while 46 per cent put it down to the nation becoming more sentimental due to the pandemic.
And more than a quarter (27 per cent) think the novelty of displaying pictures online is wearing off.
A third think people want more reminders of their ‘pre-Covid’ lives and 37 per cent like thinking about the ‘good old days’.
The study, commissioned by Fujifilm instax, found 41 per cent believe the prolonged restrictions and lockdowns have further fuelled the print revival as people have spent more time sorting out and organising things, such as their photos.
It also emerged that six in 10 look back on old photos when they’re feeling unhappy, stressed or are looking for a way to cheer themselves up.
More than four in 10 (43 per cent) felt their mood was boosted simply from looking at a physical photo, compared to just 12 per cent who said the same about digital images.
Psychologist Dr Emma Hepburn said: “Research suggests that recalling positive personal memories can help elicit positive emotion and engage reward-related neural circuitry, which can be beneficial for wellbeing.
“Having these memories in physical form, for example photographs around the house, can help create positive feelings on a daily basis when we see them.
“Because of their physical nature, each photograph also has its own history.
“So, we remember not only the event itself, but create memories and meaning around the physical object.
“We can feel attached to a photograph, so that the physical act of holding and looking at a photo creates emotions.”
This sentimental feeling has also spilled over into gifting choices this year, as 18 per cent of Brits said lockdown has given them more time to plan their Christmas gifts.
And 15 per cent are more likely to give people a meaningful gift this year than in previous years.
One in five of the adults polled via Onepoll have put up more pictures in frames this year than they did before the pandemic.
Just under one in six have also spent more time putting together old-school photo albums to commemorate happier days.
Others want to see a return of physical books instead of e-readers (46 per cent), instant cameras over smart phones (21 per cent), phone books (12 per cent) and tickets for sports or music events rather than the print-at-home or e-ticket options (33 per cent).
Neill Harris, general manager for the Fujifilm instax instant camera, said: "The level of demand we've seen for instax, as well as photo printing, very much affirms these survey results.
"We’ve seen instant camera and printer sales soar over the past five years, and demand has risen rapidly as we've come through lockdown and into a very busy Christmas period.
“Our consumer research tells us people love instant photography for its fun, retro appeal - that moment of anticipation, waiting for the photo to print.
"The fact it's a unique, one-off image that can't be replicated, edited or airbrushed, and not to be forgotten, the tactile nature of a real film print in your hand, all stand instant photography apart from digital images.”
TOP 5 REASONS WHY PHYSICAL PHOTOS ARE HAVING A REVIVAL IN 2020
1. Real photos have more value than digital ones (49 per cent)
2. 2020 has meant people want more reminders of their loved ones around them (48 per cent)
3. People are becoming more sentimental (46 per cent)
4. A fear of losing digital photos if you have a tech issue (37 per cent)
5. The nostalgic element of the 'good old days' (37 per cent)
ENDS
