Analysis
NAICS 54192 is the 2022 NAICS industry for photographic services, part of 5419 (Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). Census lists 16 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 16,504 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 50,967 people at an average annual payroll of $38,940 per employee (8th percentile of national industries). 89% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 15% and employment fell 16%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 51211, 81292, 51219 and 71151. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Across its national industries Census lists 16 index entries; typical ones are passport photography services and commercial event videography services.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 541921 (Photography Studios, Portrait) with 11,483.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing still, video, or digital photography services. These establishments may specialize in a particular field of photography, such as commercial and industrial photography, portrait photography, and special events photography. Commercial or portrait photography studios are included in this industry.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Producing film and videotape for commercial exhibition or sale | 51211 Motion Picture and Video Production |
| Developing still photographs | 81292 Photofinishing |
| Developing motion picture film | 51219 Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries |
| Taking, developing, and selling artistic, news, or other types of photographs on a freelance basis, such as photojournalists | 71151 Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers |
| Supplying and servicing automatic photography machines in places of business operated by others | 81299 All Other Personal Services |
Index entries (16)
- Passport photography services
- Commercial event videography services