Photographic Services Industry Overview

Excerpt from Photographic Services Report

Companies in this industry provide services such as commercial and industrial photography, portrait photography, and special events photography. Major US companies include portrait studios Lifetouch and Portrait Innovations and commercial photo services Getty Images and Corbis.

Competitive Landscape

Demand is closely tied to consumer income and corporate marketing activity. The profitability of individual companies depends heavily on effective marketing. Large companies have economies of scale in marketing and production. Small companies can compete effectively by offering specialized services or holding favorable locations. The portrait studio segment is fragmented: the 50 largest companies generate less than half of segment revenue. The commercial photography segment is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies generate about 20 percent of segment revenue.

Products, Operations & Technology

Major products are family portraits and images for corporate advertising and marketing materials. Portrait studios account for about 60 percent of industry revenue. Peripheral sales (frames, albums, and related products) make up a small fraction of total revenues.