SIC 7221 — Photographic Studios, Portrait
Official OSHA SIC Manual Definition
Establishments primarily engaged in still or video portrait photography for the general public. Establishments primarily engaged in commercial photography are classified in Industry 7335; those engaged in video tape production other than portrait are classified in Industry 7812; and those engaged in film developing or print processing for the trade or for the general public are classified in Industry 7384. Establishments primarily engaged in processing film for the motion picture production industry are classified in Industry 7819, and those engaged in computer photography are classified in Industry 7299.
Description & Classification
SIC code 7221 representing 'Photographic Studios, Portrait' is an industry category in the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system under U.S. OSHA and Federal procurement registers.
Modern NAICS Crosswalk
Trace the modern equivalent classifications in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) database:
- NAICS 541921 - Photography Studios, Portrait (via SIC1987:7221→NAICS1997:541921→2002:541921→2007:541921→2012:541921→2017:541921→2022:541921)
Classification Details
| SIC Code | 7221 |
|---|---|
| Industry Title | Photographic Studios, Portrait |
| Division | Division I: Services |
| Major Group | Major Group 72: Personal Services |
| JSON Endpoint | View as JSON · API → |
| Source / Verified | US Census 1987 SIC Concordance / 2026-08-08 |
SIC vs NAICS Compliance & Common Mismatches
Legacy SIC code 7221 classifies commercial operations based on primary end-product or service output under the 1987 federal framework. In contrast, modern 2022 NAICS codes group establishments based on production process inputs.
When submitting public disclosures to SEC EDGAR or determining OSHA workplace safety log recordkeeping exemptions (29 CFR Part 1904), rely strictly on the official OSHA 4-digit SIC classification rather than an automated commercial translation.
💡 Expert Guidance: SIC to NAICS Conversion
Common Compliance Mistake: Many contractors and B2B analysts confuse legacy 4-digit SIC codes like 7221 with modern 6-digit NAICS codes. Ensure that you use the correct active 2022 NAICS code (e.g. from the crosswalk below) when submitting representations on SAM.gov, as federal contracting officers only accept modern NAICS codes.
Related Pages & Tools
Further regulatory reference links for legacy SIC code 7221:
- SIC Codes Complete Compliance Guide — Detailed history and active legal applications of the SIC classification framework.
- Why Legacy SIC Codes Persist Guide — How credit systems and the SEC still rely on SIC metadata.
- SIC ↔ NAICS Crosswalk Tool — Trace industrial code conversions dynamically.
- SIC 7221 to NAICS Crosswalk — Bidirectional mapping to modern NAICS codes (Photographic Studios, Portrait).
- SIC Code for Photography — Standard Industrial Classification mapping details.
- SIC Major Group 72 Hub — View other legacy industries in this business division.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What industry sector is represented by legacy SIC code 7221? ▾
Legacy SIC code 7221 represents 'Photographic Studios, Portrait', categorized under Division Division I: Services and Major Group Major Group 72: Personal Services. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was developed in the late 1930s.
What is the modern 2022 NAICS equivalent for legacy SIC 7221? ▾
Legacy SIC code 7221 maps to the modern 2022 NAICS industry classifications: NAICS 541921 (Photography Studios, Portrait). Mappings are resolved transitively across successive updates to handle splits.
Why do credit agencies and banks still reference legacy SIC code 7221? ▾
Registries like Dun & Bradstreet, insurance underwriters, and private platforms retain SIC code 7221 because their historical financial risk data and scoring models are indexed using the legacy 4-digit SIC framework.
Does the SEC EDGAR system allow searching public filings by SIC 7221? ▾
Yes. The SEC Division of Corporation Finance assigns a primary 4-digit SIC code to public companies. You can search the EDGAR database using SIC code 7221 to group reporting peer firms.
How do OSHA safety recordkeeping rules apply to SIC code 7221? ▾
Under 29 CFR Part 1904 safety regulations, OSHA references legacy SIC codes including 7221 to determine if a physical establishment is required to maintain daily injury logs (Form 300) or is partially exempt.
What is the structural difference between SIC 7221 and NAICS codes? ▾
SIC code 7221 classifies establishments based on their final product output or market destination (what they sell), while modern NAICS codes classify them based on production processes and inputs (how they work).
What are the typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 7221? ▾
Typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 7221 are the operations associated with 'Photographic Studios, Portrait'. Mapped modern NAICS codes can be referenced for specific current examples.
Is legacy SIC code 7221 uniform across all 50 U.S. states? ▾
Yes, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, including code 7221, was published as a federal standard and remains uniform nationwide. It is still referenced by various state workers' compensation boards and departments of labor.
Sources & References
- U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA): OSHA Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual — Code 7221
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1987 SIC to 2022 NAICS Concordance Tables
- Federal Reserve Board: Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization Classifications
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Schedule C Principal Business Activity (PBA) Industry Concordance
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Standard Industrial Classification Systems Governance