Uphoto

What Uphoto does

Uphoto (优拍云摄影, legal entity Tianjin YouPai Network Technology Co., Ltd.) is a China-based enterprise-level cloud photo live broadcasting SaaS platform founded in 2015 (publicly launched March 2020) and headquartered in Tianjin/Nankai, China. The platform enables photographers to connect DSLR cameras to mobile devices via OTG cables or its proprietary XPOX transmission hardware, upload photos to cloud albums in approximately five seconds, apply AI-assisted retouching, and deliver images to clients in real time through WeChat, QR codes, or web links. Underlying technology includes multi-camera synchronization, bilingual (Chinese/English) cloud albums, an AI retouching engine trained on tens of millions of images, and a global CDN with cross-border servers. The platform is accessed via a website, Android app, and a WeChat mini-program called 优拍摄卡.

The company serves two primary customer groups: professional photographers (100,000+ certified on the platform) seeking affordable live broadcasting tools, and enterprise clients across event management, technology, automotive, healthcare, real estate, and entertainment sectors requiring multi-city professional photography services. Monetization comes from six streams: tiered annual subscriptions (799-19,999 yuan), pay-per-year cloud storage upgrades (69-1,499 yuan), per-session packages (99-199 yuan), usage-based AI retouching (15-999 yuan), professional photography services for enterprises, and OTG/L-bracket hardware sales. Distribution combines a self-serve product-led growth model for individuals with a six-branch field sales force across China plus a Singapore International Operations Center established in 2024 to serve Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Europe.

In September 2025, Uphoto announced a strategic three-way merger with Pailixiang (拍立享) and 123Qiezi (一二三茄子), consolidating operations under the unified UPHOTO brand in November 2025. The company has raised one disclosed angel round of 3 million CNY from Jinberle Venture Capital at a 30 million CNY valuation in June 2023, remains privately held, and positions itself as a cost-disruptor relative to industry pricing of 2,000+ yuan per event. The founder is Feng Jing (冯晶, nickname 'Old Ma'), a military veteran who exited the army in 2003.

Name

Uphoto

Legal name

天津优拍网络科技有限公司

Website

https://uphoto.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Uphoto is a China-based cloud photo live broadcasting SaaS platform enabling photographers to upload, AI-retouch, and deliver event photos in real time. It serves 100,000+ certified photographers and 3,000+ enterprise clients across China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cloud Photography / Photo Livestreaming SaaS

NAICS

Photographic Services (54192), Software Publishers (513210), Commercial Photography (541922)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Photography & Photo Production (BPAFAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Photo/Video Editing Triage & Album/Project Structuring (HSAFAGAJ), Photo Library Organization & Curation (HSAFAGAA), Party Photography & Videography Services (HSACACAH), Tripods, Mounts & Supports (Tripods, Monopods, Clamps, Action Mounts) (CRACAPAI)

Keywords

• Cloud photography platform
• Photo livestreaming software
• AI photo retouching
• Cloud album storage
• Professional photography services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nankai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Subscriptions: Tiered annual subscription model with different storage capacities and feature access. Higher tiers unlock custom branding, ad-free experience, and advanced analytics.
2. Cloud Storage Expansion: Pay-per-year storage upgrades starting at 10GB up to 1TB. Storage can be cycled and reused by deleting old albums.
3. Per-Session Packages: One-time photography session packages for occasional users who don't want annual commitments. Includes temporary cloud storage and basic features.
4. AI Photo Retouching: AI-powered automated photo editing sold in packages (50-5000 photos). More economical than human editing for high-volume events.
5. Professional Photo Services: Enterprise photography services for conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, and advertising campaigns. Includes photographer dispatch, equipment, and post-production.
6. Hardware Sales: OTG data cables and L-shaped phone brackets required for connecting cameras to phones for photo streaming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Uphoto operates a cloud-based photo livestreaming SaaS platform that allows photographers to capture images on DSLR cameras, upload them to cloud albums in approximately 5 seconds via the UPHOTO mobile app or proprietary XPOX hardware, apply AI or manual retouching within about 1 minute, and share live photo galleries with clients via WeChat, QR codes, or web links. The company also offers tiered annual subscription memberships (Gold 799 yuan, Platinum 1,999 yuan, Diamond 3,999 yuan, Enterprise 19,999 yuan), one-time session packages, modular add-ons (AI retouching, manual retouching, cloud storage upgrades, OTG/L-bracket hardware), and full-service enterprise photography for conferences, exhibitions, and brand events across 30+ Chinese cities and overseas markets.

Product overview

UPHOTO 优拍云摄影 operates as a cloud-based photo live streaming SaaS platform, built around its core platform (uphoto.cn) along with an Android mobile app (优拍云摄影APP), a WeChat mini-program (优拍摄卡), and professional photography services. The platform offers cloud photo storage and live-streaming services with tiered annual memberships (Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Enterprise), one-time session packages, and modular add-ons including AI photo retouching, manual photo retouching, cloud storage space upgrades, and OTG data cable/L-type bracket hardware. A Baidu Netdisk migration integration allows users to offload albums to their own Baidu Netdisk account. For enterprise clients, the platform provides end-to-end professional photography services domestically and globally (Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe), powered by proprietary XPOX transmission hardware, a global CDN, and a 10万+ certified photographer network. The platform also includes a Photographer Personal Site feature for portfolio display and client acquisition. In September 2025, UPHOTO announced a strategic merger with 拍立享 (PhotoShare) and 一二三茄子 (123茄子), positioning UPHOTO to focus exclusively on large-client professional photography services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 优拍摄卡 (YouPai SheKa): WeChat mini-program serving as the mobile management backend for photographers and album management.
• XPOX

Products and services

• UPHOTO Cloud Photo Livestreaming Platform (优拍云摄影) Cloud-based photo livestreaming SaaS platform that enables photographers to capture photos on DSLR cameras, upload them in real time via a mobile app, apply AI or manual retouching, and deliver high-quality images to cloud albums within minutes. Supports real-time sharing via WeChat, QR codes, and web links.
• UPHOTO Cloud Photography Android App (优拍云摄影APP) Android mobile application enabling photographers to connect DSLR cameras via OTG data cable, capture and upload photos directly to cloud albums in real time, and manage album settings on mobile. Requires Android 8.0+ and supports Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras with wired connection.
• UPHOTO WeChat Mini-Program (优拍摄卡) WeChat mini-program for account management, album creation, photo upload, album sharing, and service purchasing. Operates as a lightweight mobile backend alternative to the web dashboard and Android app.
• Annual Membership Subscriptions (年度会员) Tiered annual subscription memberships offering cloud storage capacity, full feature access, and bulk watermark customization. Tiers: Gold 300GB at 799 yuan/year, Platinum 500GB at 1,999 yuan/year, Diamond 2TB at 3,999 yuan/year, Enterprise Custom at 19,999 yuan/year.
• Single Session Package (单次直播套餐) One-time use package for photographers with limited photo livestreaming needs. Options include Custom Ad (10GB 1-year at 168 yuan/session), Bulk Watermark (99 yuan/session), and Watermark + Ad (199 yuan/session). Includes basic features without an annual membership requirement.
• Cloud Storage Add-On (云空间) Pay-per-year cloud storage space upgrades for album and photo hosting. Tiers: 10GB at 69 yuan/year, 50GB at 299 yuan/year, 200GB at 799 yuan/year, 500GB at 1,299 yuan/year, 1TB at 1,499 yuan/year. Storage is reusable; users can delete albums to free space.
• AI Photo Retouching (AI修图) AI-powered automated photo retouching service with 8 preset templates. Capabilities include color correction, white balance adjustment, facial micro-plastic surgery, skin smoothing, blemish removal, and auto-cropping. Suitable for outdoor events, indoor activities, sports, weddings, and travel photography. Packages: 50 photos at 15 yuan (trial), 500 photos at 139 yuan, 2,000 photos at 499 yuan, 5,000 photos at 999 yuan.
• Manual Photo Retouching Service (人工修图) Professional human photo retouching service priced at 50 yuan/hour per camera with a guaranteed minimum of 50 photos/hour. Focused on photo selection, composition, and color grading. Requires advance booking of at least 12 hours (24 hours for weekends).
• XPOX Proprietary Transmission Hardware Proprietary transmission hardware device enabling 5-second real-time cloud upload after photo capture and 1-minute AI quick retouching. Supports multi-camera synchronized shooting and multi-person collaborative upload.
• Photo Livestreaming Hardware Kit (OTG Data Cable + L-Type Bracket) OTG data cable kit and L-type bracket for connecting DSLR cameras to Android phones for real-time photo upload. Available in 10 interface configurations covering Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras. Upload accessory package at 93 yuan/set (2 OTG cables + L-bracket + phone clamp); individual cables from 50 yuan for 2 spring cables.
• Enterprise Professional Photography Services (企业拍摄/品质拍摄) End-to-end professional photography services for enterprise clients, covering conferences, exhibitions, business events, and high-end sports competitions. Includes multi-camera synchronized shooting, multi-person collaborative upload, on-site execution, and 24-hour delivery of original and retouched photos.
• Global Photo Livestreaming Service (海外照片直播) International photo livestreaming service covering Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Features include global CDN acceleration, cross-border independent servers for low-latency uploads, bilingual cloud albums with custom logo and brand watermark support, and local photographer networks.
• Video Livestreaming Service (视频直播) Video livestreaming service supporting simultaneous multi-platform push globally. Complements photo livestreaming for comprehensive event coverage.
• Baidu Netdisk One-Click Migration (百度网盘一键迁移) Integration with Baidu Netdisk enabling one-click migration of completed cloud albums to the user's own Baidu Netdisk account. Frees up UPHOTO cloud storage space while maintaining album links and QR codes. Photos are stored in 'Baidu Netdisk > File > My Applications > UPhoto Cloud Photography > Album Name'.

Quantifiable outcome

• Photo upload and AI retouching complete within 1 minute of shooting
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Huawei CloudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuawei Serverless events use UPHOTO for photo streaming services. Partnership demonstrates enterprise-grade service quality for major tech conferences.
• BaiducoreTechnology or IntegrationDeep integration with Baidu Netdisk for album migration feature. Users can migrate albums to personal Baidu Netdisk accounts for data security and cost savings on cloud storage.
• Alibaba Cloud / DingTalkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnterprise WeChat ecosystem integration (WeChat mini-program, WeChat work) for enterprise client engagement and WeChat-based service delivery.
• HuaRUN Property (华润置地)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity photography co-creation program partnership. UPHOTO provides platform and photographer network for residential community photography services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ShootProof: ShootProof is a global SaaS for photographers offering gallery hosting, proofing, sales and marketing tools. It parallels UPHOTO's SaaS subscription model serving professional photographers but is differentiated by its sales-focused gallery workflow versus event live streaming.
• Pic-Time: Pic-Time is a global photographer SaaS for gallery delivery, sales and marketing. Comparable to UPHOTO in providing cloud album and client delivery functionality, but oriented to portrait and wedding photographers in Western markets rather than live event streaming.
• Pixieset: Pixieset is a global SaaS platform for photographers offering cloud galleries, client delivery, booking and studio management. It serves a similar SMB photographer customer base to UPHOTO with subscription-based cloud album SaaS, though focused on portrait and wedding markets outside China.
• Photoee (谱时): Photoee (谱时) is a Chinese photo live streaming service targeting professional photographers and corporate events. It offers similar real-time streaming, cloud album and retouching capabilities as UPHOTO and competes in the same enterprise photography segment.
• YunSheying (云摄影): YunSheying is a Chinese cloud photo live streaming platform serving event photographers with real-time upload, cloud albums and AI retouching. It competes directly with UPHOTO for wedding, conference and corporate event photography business in China.
• 123Qiezi 123茄子: 123Qiezi is a Chinese standardized online photography booking platform that merged with UPHOTO in September 2025. It overlaps in serving the same photographer base with a more standardized, consumer-facing booking model versus UPHOTO's enterprise focus.
• Pailixiang 拍立享 (PhotoShare): Pailixiang is a direct photo live streaming competitor in China that merged with UPHOTO in September 2025. Post-merger it focuses on software R&D but historically operated the same cloud album, AI retouching and event photography stack for similar photographer and enterprise segments.
• VPhoto (VPHOTO 云摄影): VPhoto is a leading Chinese cloud photo live streaming platform offering real-time photo streaming and AI retouching for enterprise events. It is the closest direct competitor to UPHOTO in China's photo livestream SaaS category with similar target customers (event photographers, corporate clients) and pricing model.

Broad incumbents

• Tencent Cloud (腾讯云) / WeChat ecosystem players: Tencent Cloud and other major Chinese cloud providers could extend their enterprise event, CDN and AI offerings to bundle photo live streaming. They are incumbent infrastructure providers with overlapping capabilities to UPHOTO and the customer relationships to disintermediate specialist platforms.
• SmugMug: SmugMug is a long-established consumer and prosumer cloud photo platform with gallery, storage and print commerce. It overlaps with UPHOTO's cloud album functionality as a broader incumbent in photographer-facing cloud services rather than specializing in live event streaming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Uphoto