Photography Studios NAICS 541921

Jan 19, 2026 - Slower Sales Projected

• Sales for the US photography studios industry are projected to rise at a 3.23% CAGR from 2025 to 2029, slower than the overall economy's projected growth, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The professional and technical services sectors are driven by household income and consumer spending, construction spending, and expenditure on IT services. New technologies such as AI and 3D printing could support labor productivity gains for the broader industry. An expected improvement in consumer sentiment in the forecast period bodes well for the sector. Lower inflation supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 1.8% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026. Price levels may rise, and inflation improvements may be delayed if further tariff increases and reductions in immigrant labor supply persist. Real income growth could be supported by healthy nominal wage growth, lower inflation, and potentially higher employment.
• US photography studios face a more cautious demand environment as consumer confidence declined for a fifth straight month in December. The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1 (down 3.8 points), while the Expectations Index remained at 70.7, below the recession-warning threshold of 80 for 11 consecutive months. Consumers’ views of their current financial situation turned negative for the first time in nearly four years, and big-ticket purchase intentions weakened, signaling pressure on discretionary spending such as professional photography. Still, pockets of resilience exist. Millennials and Gen Z remain the most optimistic cohorts, supporting demand for event, portrait, and social-media-driven photography. Notably, spending intentions for digital cameras continued to trend upward, suggesting sustained interest in imaging and content creation. Studios may need to emphasize value, flexible packages, and services aligned with younger clients, while preparing for softer bookings tied to weddings, travel, and higher-end discretionary projects in early 2026.

• An updated forecast from The Wedding Report projects 1,981,201 weddings in the US in 2025, a 1.5% decrease over 2024; wedding clients are a key customer segment for photography studios. An estimated 1,950,839 weddings are projected in 2026, and an estimated 1,890,110 weddings are expected by 2028. According to the report, the decline reflects a gradual normalization following the post-pandemic wedding surge, affected by demographic shifts and changing life priorities. States where weddings are expected to grow during the 2023-2028 forecast period include Utah (9.6%), Montana (7.5%), and Nevada (3.7%), while Louisiana (30.7%), New Mexico (17%), and Maryland (13%) are expected to experience declines.
• According to a report in PetaPixel, a rising trend in AI-generated pre-wedding photography, fueled by Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, allows couples to create elaborate engagement photos in exotic locations, without travel or traditional photography services. By uploading a clear image and using text prompts, users can generate customized visuals that reflect personal style and cultural identity. While some studios, such as Photomotion Indonesia, are integrating AI to enhance offerings, the technology poses a disruptive threat to conventional wedding photography. The trend signals a pivotal shift in consumer expectations and service delivery for photography services. As AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, studios must adapt by incorporating digital capabilities or risk losing relevance. Embracing AI-enhanced workflows could unlock new revenue streams and creative flexibility, while resisting change may lead to declining demand for traditional services.