Since I started to find places to show and sell my photographs I've been witness of the evolution of what's the trend of collectors, which conforms the bias of gallerists and traders.
At the beginning, mid 80's, the trend was "series" of whatever, landscapes, the so called "creative images", situations, etc. it lead to documentary; ten years after I found that conceptual was the key word, in a postduchampian art world, thinking was better than doing; in the last tens months, due to my wife's work and my selfpromotion, I have been in a series of trade shows in art and discovered that the interest of the market is focus in what is called emerging artists.
Two questions surge to me, what exactly means emerging artis? and what could be the next wave? could be of great help to succeed in the market if you discover what's next and jump in, if you want and can, of course. Even better, create the next wave.
Emerging artist sounds like dealer speak. It translates as this person sold a few prints at his last show so don't be afraid to buy the work while it is cheap.
Dennis
Two questions surge to me, what exactly means emerging artis? and what could be the next wave? could be of great help to succeed in the market if you discover what's next and jump in, if you want and can, of course. Even better, create the next wave.
Such questions are best answered by those who sell art and/or display art (dealers, curators, etc.). They are the ones that, eventually, create artistic trends in a process that is 90% mercantile and 10% creative/aesthetic. Theorists, typically, study such trends and, much later, ascribe taxonomic labels.
These days, however, the rate at which so-called "emerging artists" are discovered (to be sold, obviously) is accelerated by the display of art on the Internet. Jörg M. Colberg's site, Conscientious, provides a really good forum for the display of photographers who are considered to be "happening" or "emerging."
I think these are very exciting times for photographers.
An emerging artist is an artist who is in the art market and is becoming an established artist. I am excited to see the first big artist who is famous for doing nothing at all. Just living a normal life, never producing work, holding exhibits, working 9-5, 2.5 kids, a wife, and a dog. that would be interesting!
I think it may be easier to create the next wave than to predict it! YMMV, of course, but I think the best thing to for any artist or photographer is to stay true to themselves. That said, you may not sell anything, so what the heck... jump on the latest trend bandwagon!!
Emerging artist, as other's have said, seems to be those artists that are starting to become more well known, and have sold a few pieces, particularly to known collections or museums. Knowing this, it would seem that I and many others are still buried deep under the dirt!!
The art market is just that... a market. It's fickle, hard to predict, but, I do think it can be mastered. It is, after all, pretty big and diverse. I'm sure there are collectors out there who find conceptual work boring, just as there are collectors who find traditional landscape boring. And plenty who love conceptual, and plenty who love landscape, etc. etc.
Research all the players, and you may find a good fit for your work. Trying to predict the market seems an unproductive route to flourishing in it.
Joerg Colberg's blog, as mentioned above is a good place to start. Participating in portfolio review events can open doors. Google Lens Culture, and Flak Photo for online sources to show your work. And, lastly, Mary Virginia Swanson's blog.. Marketing photos is a good blog to keep your eye on for opportunities to show work.
documentary, conceptual, emerging, what's next 
YMMV, of course, but I think the best thing to for any artist or photographer is to stay true to themselves. That said, you may not sell anything, so what the heck... jump on the latest trend bandwagon!! 
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