Disposable cameras capture memories and marketshare. (Photo: What's Hot, What's New, What's Happening).

A trip to Mexico with friends recently served to solidify what is a growing trend in the photo category. Of the eight people in the group, there was nary a costly camera to be found. The shiny new digital cameras, point and shoot units, SLRs, telephoto lenses and compact APS units were all left at home. Instead, one-time-use cameras were in abundance.

More and more, consumers are turning to simple--and disposable--options to fill their photography needs as one-time-use cameras continue to grow in sales and market share. According to NPD Techworld, one-time-use cameras represent a $1.1 billion market on an annual basis and continually post increases of 6%, year over year.

The Photo Marketing Association reports even higher numbers, stating that although the category has grown every year since the product's introduction in the late 1980s, sales momentum has recently slowed to approximately 10% annually. Sales are expected to hit the 200 million-unit mark by the end of this year, according to PMA.

"It is slowing …