Your first suggestion actually exists as a really good mod called PhotographyPlus, it allows you to send various “interesting” photographs off with the drone, getting various reactions and rewards for it. It also adds some new optional daily tasks involving photography, having you send in a photograph of a certain structure or location for some bonus points at the end of the week.
Also some improvements to the ATV would be nice. Mostly in the SFX. But an updated model would be cool.
Perhaps a way to kill or capture entities and sell them too, if you want, and consequences for doing so.
I imagine they will just keep it as it is now; you can properly harm and kill a select few entities, but are utterly powerless against the majority of them. The horror aspect would probably be affected quite a bit by you having the ability to properly fight back against most entities.
I really love the depth of the customization right now, but more focus on fleshing out the core gameplay loop and secrets would be really appreciated.
0.9 will supposedly change the gameplay loop quite a bit, which I imagine could also come with it being a bit more fleshed out.