Industry Statistics and Trends
Photographic Activities in Europe key trends
Professional photographers face challenges due to technological advancements.
The fast-paced evolution in camera and smartphone technology allows amateurs to produce high-quality images, intensifying the competition for professionals in the photography field.
AI integration is transforming professional workflows and competition.
Adopters like CEWE and Meero boost efficiency using AI-powered editing and automation while improving delivery speed. However, wider AI access intensifies market competition, devalues basic services and raises the bar for creative and technical expertise.
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Photographic Activities in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Photographic Activities in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €11.3bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Smartphones and social media have hurt everyday photo services
- Smartphones have become a necessity in people’s everyday lives, enabling individuals to capture moments as photos or videos at any time and from anywhere. Consumers have greatly welcomed this flexibility, with camera quality being a key factor considered when purchasing a smartphone. According to Eurostat’s 2024 ICT household survey, 93% of EU households owned a smartphone, up from 87% in 2019, reflecting near-universal adoption. This saturation has significantly altered photo-taking behaviour in Europe as smartphones now serve as the primary imaging device for casual and social photography, which has weighed on consumer reliance on professional services for everyday needs.
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Photographic Activities in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Improved economic conditions and lower inflation are set to boost demand for professional photography services
- As economic conditions and business sentiment levels recover from their recent dip, companies are likely to hold more corporate events and spend on marketing shoots for their products and services. Higher advertising spending will drive demand for professional photography services by advertising agencies and media companies, boosting revenue growth. The European Commission's Spring 2025 Economic Forecast projects that the EU’s real GDP will expand by 1.1% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026. This positive outlook is supported by factors like easing EU-US trade tensions, expanding trade, higher defence spending and reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness. This will create greater revenue and profitability prospects for photographic businesses.
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Revenue
€11.3bn
Employees
226k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Photographic Activities in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cewe Stiftung & Co. KGaA | 875.3 | 86.7 | 9.9 | |
Meero SAS | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Nphoto sp zoo | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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Photographic Activities in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Photographic Activities industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Photographic Activities industry in Europe is €11.3bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Photographic Activities industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 208k businesses in the Photographic Activities industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Photographic Activities industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Photographic Activities industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Photographic Activities industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Photographic Activities industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Photographic Activities industry in Europe include?
Portrait Photography and Image editing and development are part of the Photographic Activities industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Photographic Activities industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Photographic Activities industry is Netherlands.
How competitive is the Photographic Activities industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Photographic Activities industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Photographic Activities in Greece
- Photographic Activities in Romania
- Photographic Activities in Italy
- Photographic Activities in the UK
- Photographic Activities in Norway
- Photographic Activities in Germany
- Photographic Activities in Sweden
- Photographic Activities in Latvia
- Photographic Activities in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Photographic Activities in Austria
- Photographic Activities in France
- Photographic Activities in the Netherlands
- Photographic Activities in Belgium
- Photographic Activities in Cyprus
- Photographic Activities in Lithuania
- Photographic Activities in Estonia
- Photographic Activities in Iceland
- Photographic Activities in Europe
- Photographic Activities in Spain
- Photographic Activities in Portugal
- Photographic Activities in Switzerland
- Photographic Activities in Czechia
- Photographic Activities in Turkey
- Photographic Activities in Serbia
- Photographic Activities in Ireland
- Photographic Activities in Finland
- Photographic Activities in Bulgaria
- Photographic Activities in the UK
- Photographic Activities in Germany
- Photographic Activities in Luxembourg
- Photographic Activities in Russia
- Photographic Activities in Hungary
- Photographic Activities in Poland
- Photographic Activities in Slovakia
- Photographic Activities in Slovenia
- Photographic Activities in Denmark
- Photographic Activities in Malta
- Photographic Activities in Croatia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry includes professional photographers and photographic processing services. Services provided by photographers include portrait and aerial photography, specialist photography, photojournalism and the video recording of special events.
Related Terms
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY STOCK PHOTO PORTRAITUREWhat's included in this industry?
Portrait PhotographyImage editing and development Product photography Other photographic servicesCompanies
Cewe Stiftung & Co. KGaAMeero SASNphoto sp zooIndustry Code
742 - Photographic activities in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Smartphones and social media have hurt everyday photo services
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Photographic Activities in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Premium wedding and corporate photography offset industry decline. Despite falling marriage rates, destination weddings and high-end packages have boosted average transaction values. Corporate shoots and advertising campaigns remain vital for segment growth and sustaining revenue streams for professional photographers.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Photographic Activities in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The fragmented nature of the industry creates competition. With numerous small businesses and owner-led companies, the photography market's highly fragmented structure has diluted the presence of larger companies.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Cewe Stiftung & Co. KGaA
- Countries of operation for Meero SAS
- Countries of operation for Nphoto sp zoo
- Countries of operation for H Tempest Ltd
- Countries of operation for Diaz Wichmann Studios SL
- Countries of operation for Aura Photo Agency SAS
- Countries of operation for Allcop Farbbild-Service GmbH & Co KG
- Countries of operation for Concept Photography Ltd
- Countries of operation for Orwo Net AG
- Countries of operation for Studio Harcourt Paris
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Copyrighting proves key to protecting revenue. Intellectual property rights are covered by EU copyright legislation, which regulates different elements of creator rights surrounding the protection of their original works.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Photographic Activities in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Automation drives operational efficiency. Emerging trends like digital cameras and photo-editing tools attract more professionals, while automation reduces purchase and wage costs in the industry.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Photographic Activities in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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