What's the NAICS and SIC code for a photography business?
For a photography business, use NAICS 541921 (Photography Studios, Portrait) in the US and SIC 74201 (Portrait photographic activities) in the UK.
United States, NAICS 2022
541921 Photography Studios, Portrait
Photography Studios, Portrait, which Census also indexes for wedding photography.
SBA small business limit: $16 million average annual receipts.
United Kingdom, SIC 2007
74201 Portrait photographic activities
Portrait photographic activities, including wedding photography.
Use this code when you register with Companies House or file your confirmation statement.
When a different code fits better
These are the codes most often confused with the main answer. Pick by the activity that earns most of your revenue.
| Code | Title | Use it if |
|---|---|---|
| NAICS 541922 | Commercial Photography | you shoot commercial, product or aerial photography |
| NAICS 711510 | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | you sell your photos as independent art |
| SIC 74202 | Other specialist photography | you do other specialist photography |
| SIC 74209 | Photographic activities not elsewhere classified | you do press or event photography |
Good to know
Event videography sits with portrait photography in the US index.
You can list more than one code. Companies House accepts up to four SIC codes, and SAM.gov lets you add several NAICS codes, with one marked as primary.
What the code affects
- SBA programs and federal contracts: your NAICS code sets the size limit you must stay under to count as small. Check your size.
- SAM.gov registration: contracting officers search by NAICS, so list every code you can deliver work under.
- Companies House: your SIC code appears on the public register and in your confirmation statement.
Related business types
Codes checked against the US Census 2022 NAICS index and the ONS UK SIC 2007 index. Information only; confirm with the agency you file with.