News, Feature, and Illustrative Photography for Swiss Media
Keystone-SDA is Switzerland's leading photo agency. Every day, we deliver up-to-date press photos and visual content covering major events in Switzerland and around the world - from politics and business to sports and culture.
With its press photography, Keystone-SDA enables visual reporting that documents events nationwide and regionally while highlighting Switzerland’s role on the global stage. Authentic images illustrate current topics with recognized expertise and a professional eye.
Our photographers capture every moment with precision, speed, and sensitivity - from breaking events and complex features to iconic symbols - always in accordance with journalistic and ethical standards, and with respect for personal rights.
The historical photo archive adds unique perspectives to current reporting, connecting local viewpoints with global relevance.
We maintain a network of 15 photographers across Switzerland, supported by a extensive group of freelance photographers. They report daily on the country's most important events - from politics and culture to business and sports. Our photographers work with speed, reliability, and precision to capture decisive moments, both in Switzerland and at major international events with a Swiss relevance.
Thematic Images with a Swiss Focus
Our news-related thematic photography portrays Switzerland in a modern, authentic light - from distinctive portraits of national figures to in-depth reports. Far from generic stock-photo cliches, we intentionally capture Swiss characteristics and symbols to reflect Swiss identity in a recognizable way.
Through partnerships with agencies like the Associated Press (AP), European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), AFP, and others, we deliver comprehensive global visual coverage, even from regions without direct Swiss connections. Our image database also includes specialized photo archives, agencies, and partner photographers such as Magnum Photos, Science Photo Library, and many, many more.
Curated Editorial Collections
Our photo editors create themed collections (lightboxes) tailored to current topics, recurring focal points, and visually challenging subjects. These carefully selected, impactful images enhance visual storytelling. The photo desk supports you with targeted image searches and clarifies usage rights based on your purpose, including commercial licenses.
Current photos can be fed directly into your system (push) or accessed via our user-friendly image database (pull). We also provide daily curated photo selections by email.
Historical archives
Our analog archives, containing over 11 million negatives, slides, prints, and glass plates, document Switzerland's visual history from 1860 to today. Ongoing digitization is relevant-driven, ensuring access to contextual events with historical images.
Photos are copyright protected and require a license for use. Unintentional violations can be resolved through after- licensing. With specialized tools such as Pixray and Fair Licensing, we identify unauthorized web use and request fair license fees. Transparency note: these emails are genuinely from us to address customer uncertainty. Contact us about usage rights.
A dedicated workshop on “Right to Image” (covering personality rights and data protection), led by a media lawyer, provides deep insights. Dates are listed in our event calendar.
We offer precise commissioned photography services: target shoots for specific events, professional image selection from our archives, or custom curation matching your exact editorial need – backed by our expert knowledge and trained editorial eye.
Our partner agencies
