NACE 74.2 – Photographic Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 74.2 covers the economic activity of photographers and photo studios providing professional photography and image-processing services. Public procurement in this area particularly concerns documentary photography, press photography, aerial photography and event photography.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 74.2 cover?

NACE 74.2 (Photographic activities) classifies companies and freelance photographers that provide image and video services for commercial, editorial and institutional purposes — a specialised segment in public procurement.

Group 74.2 belongs to Section M (professional, scientific and technical activities) and Division 74. Typical activities in the public context are:

Public contracting authorities in this area are federal ministries, police and security authorities, municipalities, cultural institutions, building authorities, environmental authorities and public broadcasters.

Public Tenders: NACE 74.2 in Practice

Photography services are procured by public bodies across a wide range of use cases — from ongoing construction documentation through official aerial imaging to event documentation.

Typical types of contract

• Construction documentation: Photographic accompaniment of public construction projects across all construction phases — from shell construction to handover
• Aerial and drone photography: Area-wide or project-specific aerial and drone imaging for urban planning, infrastructure monitoring, environmental monitoring and civil protection
• Event and press photography: Documentation of public events, conferences, parliamentary sessions and official occasions for public relations work
• Portrait photography: Official portraits of office holders and staff at public institutions
• Forensic photography: Specialised imaging for investigating authorities, courts and expert witnesses
• Archival photography and digitisation: Photographic capture and digitisation of cultural assets, archival materials and collections

Thresholds and procedure types

Photography contracts are mostly below the EU thresholds and are awarded under national procurement procedures. Framework agreements for recurring photography services (e.g. ongoing press photography) are often awarded under the negotiated procedure without prior call for competition where uniqueness is demonstrated, or under the open procedure. Drone imaging over sensitive areas (security zones, military installations) is subject to special authorisation requirements.

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 74.2

Searching for relevant tenders on TED and national platforms is most effective via the following CPV codes.

Current tenders with these CPV codes are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is NACE 74.2 relevant to in procurement law?

Public Contracting Authorities

Authorities at all levels need professional photography services: building authorities commission construction documentation, interior ministries and police forces require forensic photographers, cultural institutions and archives commission digitisation projects, and press and public-relations units of all public institutions require ongoing image and press material. Aerial photography is particularly significant for surveying authorities, urban planning offices and environmental authorities.

Companies and Bidders

Photographers and photo studios wishing to participate in public tenders should consider the following:

• Trade registration: Evidence of self-employed activity as a photographer or commercial registration
• Portfolio and references: Evidence of comparable contracts in the relevant subject area (e.g. construction documentation, aerial photography)
• Technical resources: Evidence of suitable camera systems, storage capacity and editing software
• Drone licence: For aerial photography: EU remote pilot licence (A1/A3 or A2 depending on operating category) under EU Drone Regulation (EU) 2019/947
• Security clearance: For contracts in sensitive areas, security clearance under SÜG (Germany) or equivalent national rules may be required
• Copyright regime: Clear agreements on the transfer of usage rights to the public body are standard contract terms

NACE 74.2 in Context: Section M and Division 74

NACE 74.2 is part of Division 74 within Section M — a cluster of specialised professional services that public bodies increasingly procure on a professional basis.

• NACE M – Professional, scientific and technical activities: Parent section
• NACE 74 – Other professional, scientific and technical activities: Parent division
• NACE 74.1 – Specialised design activities: Corporate design, graphic design
• NACE 74.3 – Translation and interpretation activities: Language services for public authorities
• NACE 74.9 – Other professional activities n.e.c.: Expert witnesses, surveyors

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 74.2 and Public Tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 74.2?
Professional photo studios, freelance photographers and specialised providers of aerial photography, forensic photography or industrial documentary photography.

Do I need special authorisation for drone imaging on a public-sector contract?
Yes. Commercial drone flights require an EU remote pilot licence. For imaging within control zones (CTR) or above crowds, additional clearance from the aviation authority is required.

How are copyrights handled in public photography contracts?
Public contracting authorities generally require the comprehensive or exclusive transfer of usage rights for all uses. The fee for this is a matter of negotiation and should be calculated explicitly in the bid.

Can individual photographers participate in EU-wide tenders?
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. For large framework agreements with high reference or capacity requirements, forming a bidding consortium is advisable.

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.