The number of photography-related brands and resources can certainly feel overwhelming at times. It seems like every 5 minutes there’s a new company on the horizon, creating anything from tipods to lenses to cameras to bags to AI editors…you name it! And it’s easy to feel a little lost about what they all do.
But worry not! Aftershoot has put together the Photography Industry Map 2025, a handy infographic to summarise what all the parts of the photography industry do and how it can help you. The map is organized into 14 distinct categories—including manufacturers, photo editing software, portfolio services, and more—and offers a detailed overview of the companies driving innovation in the photography field.
A Diverse and Evolving Landscape
The Photography Industry Map 2025 highlights the incredible diversity of companies contributing to the photography world. From camera manufacturers to AI-powered editing tools, the map showcases the breadth of innovation happening across the industry.
Harshit Dwivedi, Founder of Aftershoot, emphasized the importance of this diversity: “The photography world is at a stage where AI and traditional techniques are merging. Today, photographers aren’t choosing sides—they’re blending these tools to unlock new creative possibilities and streamline their workflows.”
This fusion of old and new is particularly evident in the rise of specialized tools tailored to specific niches. Photographers are no longer relying on one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, they’re customizing their workflows to align with their unique styles and needs.
Justin Benson, Co-Founder of Aftershoot, sees the map as more than just a directory—it’s a way to bring the photography community together. “As an industry, we grow stronger when we share knowledge and resources,” he said. “The Photography Industry Map is our way of making it easier for photographers to navigate and select the best tools for their work.”
The map is designed to be a living resource, with plans for regular updates to reflect the latest developments in the industry. This ensures that photographers always have access to the most current information, helping them stay ahead in a competitive field.
The Role of AI in Modern Photography
This aspect of our industry is evolving faster than perhaps any other aspect. Every week there seems to be a new company that does some sort of AI editing, either with stills or video. And I’m not even talking about AI-image and video generators, these are simply AI tools that help us do more of what we love – shooting mostly.
I particularly like how easy it is to navigate this visual, it’s so much more interesting than a bullet pint list. And I do love how the post-processing part is further broken down into different sections: Portfolio services, management and viewing providers, plugins and AI tools and image generators.
While the map seems very comprehensive and complete, I wonder if anything is missing. Can you spot anything?
