CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for photography studios in North Dakota
36 photography studios operated in North Dakota in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 36CBP 2023
- Employees
- 155mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 4.5U.S. 3.4
- State rank
- 46th of 51by count
Photography studios in North Dakota by the numbers
North Dakota had 36 photography studios in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541921, Photography Studios, Portrait). They employed 155 people in mid-March and reported $4,532,000 in annual payroll. That is the 46th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Photography studios make up 0.14% of the 25,402 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) North Dakota has 4.5 photography studios, 33.9% above the national rate of 3.4. The average establishment has 4.3 employees against 3.3 nationally. Payroll per employee is $29,239, 14.3% below the U.S. figure of $34,133.
| Measure | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 36 | 11,483 |
| Mid-March employees | 155 | 37,479 (moderate noise) |
| Annual payroll | $4,532,000 | $1,279,256,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 4.3 | 3.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $29,239 | $34,133 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 4.5 | 3.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
North Dakota's largest markets for photography studios
Census published photography studio counts for 5 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of North Dakota. The largest is Fargo, ND-MN, with 21 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 31% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | 21 | 97 | 7.8 |
| Bismarck, ND | 5 | 10 | 3.6 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 4 | 12 | 3.8 |
| Minot, ND | 3 | 2 | 4.0 |
| Dickinson, ND | 3 | 3 | 7.7 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at photography studios in North Dakota
90.6% of North Dakota's photography studios with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 87.7% nationally. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 29 | 90.6% | 87.7% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 7.2% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 2.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 9.4% | 1.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a photography studio in North Dakota has to catch
Photographers are often behind the camera when the phone rings, and inquiries for weddings, portraits and events tend to go to whoever responds first. Capturing every inquiry and calling back quickly matters.
A few of the calls that come in to photography studios in North Dakota:
- The photographer calls a client to plan a shoot.
- A couple calls to check availability for a wedding date.
- A business calls about headshots for staff.
Business texting for photography studios
Photographers text session reminders and gallery-ready notices.
Texting from a local number in North Dakota requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs a photography studio in North Dakota
Photography studios in North Dakota average 4.3 employees, so the comparison uses a 4-person team. Priced per seat, 4 users would run $120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 4 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $252 less than RingCentral for a photography studio in North Dakota of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $76.00 | $912.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $92.00 | $1,104.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $99.80 | $1,197.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $108.00 | $1,296.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $120.00 | $1,440.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in North Dakota
North Dakota has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a photography studio can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701 | 743 | Central and Mountain | 1947 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for photography studios in North Dakota
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in North Dakota is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many photography studios are in North Dakota?
36 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 155 people in mid-March.
Which North Dakota metro area has the most photography studios?
Fargo, ND-MN, with 21 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 4-person photography studio?
$120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $99.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a North Dakota number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.