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Photography in the US Industry Data and Analysis
The Photography industry is currently experiencing moderate growth, navigating a landscape shaped by evolving consumer behavior and rapid technological advancements. With the prevalent use of high-quality smartphone cameras, many individuals engage in amateur photography. Despite this, traditional photography services maintain relevance by strategically focusing on specialized niches. Key segments like weddings, corporate events and commercial photography continue to be essential pillars of the industry, highlighting its capacity to identify and tap into high-value markets. Revenue has expanded at a CAGR of 5.8% over the past five years to reach an estimated $15.8 billion in 2025, when income is projected to drop by 0.1%. The expansion of social media has significantly increased demand for exceptional visual content, presenting numerous opportunities for photographers capable of delivering the high-quality imagery sought by influencers and businesses eager to elevate their digital presence. This heightened demand has spurred a diversification of services, including the advent of offerings like drone photography, which caters to consumers' desire for unique and immersive experiences. These innovations have bolstered the industry's profitability, showcasing its strength and adaptability to changing technological landscapes. However, effective wage management has become crucial as businesses navigate a competitive market of photographers ready to provide distinctive services. The expansion of smartphone technology and advanced AI in photography will likely keep intensifying competition, compelling professionals to differentiate further. However, opportunities will present themselves in niches requiring high expertise, like commercial and fine art photography, where the personal touch and quality remain paramount. Emerging technologies, including augmented reality and virtual reality, could open new avenues for creativity and service offerings. Photographers who embrace these technological advancements and refine their niche specialties are likely to thrive. As such, while the road ahead includes challenges, it also offers exciting potential for innovation and growth in the industry. Over the next five years, revenue will hike at a CAGR of 0.2% to reach an estimated $16.0 billion in 2030.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Photography industry in the United States includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2015-2030. The most recent publication was released October 2025.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Photography industry in the United States operates under the NAICS industry code 54192. The Photography industry encompasses companies and individuals that offer a range of photographic services, including still photography and videography for private events. Commercial and portrait photography studios are also included in this industry. This industry excludes all photography related to movie, TV and video production; refer to IBISWorld reports 51211a and 51211b for more information. Related terms covered in the Photography industry in the United States include digital camera, single lens reflex (slr) camera, point-and-shoot camera, photofinishing software, postproduction and portraiture.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Photography industry in the United States include Portrait services, Commercial or industrial photography services and Wedding photography.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Photography industry in the United States include Shutterfly Inc.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Photography industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Photography industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Photography industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Photography industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Photography industry in the United States. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Photography industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Photography industry in the United States. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Photography industry in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Photography industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Photography industry in the United States is $15.8bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Photography industry in the United States in 2025?
There are 267k businesses in the Photography industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Photography industry in the United States?
The Photography industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Photography industry in the United States?
The Photography industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Photography industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Photography industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 5.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Photography industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Photography industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Photography industry in the United States?
The biggest company operating in the Photography industry in the United States is Shutterfly Inc.
What does the Photography industry in the United States include?
Portrait services and Wedding photography are part of the Photography industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Photography industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Photography industry in the United States is Shutterfly Inc..
How competitive is the Photography industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Photography industry in the United States.
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