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ON1 software 20th anniversary promotion sale: get up to 75% off Photo RAW, Effects, NoNoise AI, and more
ON1 software is 20 years old this year, and they are celebrating their anniversary with a big sale:
- Products up to 75% off: ON1 Photo RAW, Effects, NoNoise AI, and more (view all products)
- Plugins starting at just $19.99
- Customer photo contest with gift card and merch prizes:
Check their website for additional information.
In 2005, ON1 was born with a bold but simple idea: photography software should be created for photographers — not just for designers or software professionals.
At the time, founder Craig Keudell saw an opportunity. Tools originally built as Photoshop plug-ins for graphic designers were becoming less essential as designers became more proficient with editing software. But photographers? Many were still new to digital workflows and didn’t want to spend their creative time buried in menus and layers.
“Photographers have always been focused on capturing great moments — not becoming software experts,” Craig explains. “That’s where we saw a chance to help by making tools that worked the way photographers think. We saw a huge opportunity to tailor those tools for this growing photography market.”
That insight became the foundation of ON1.
Starting Small, Thinking Big
In those early days, ON1 (then called onOne Software) launched a suite of powerful tools like Genuine Fractals, PhotoFrame, Intellihance, and pxl SmartScale.
“Getting everything off the ground was hard. There was no cloud, no remote work. We built and maintained our own servers, databases — all of it,” Craig recalls. “We focused on one order at a time. Eventually, that turned into real momentum.”
The company’s first significant break came when Shutterbug Magazine featured Genuine Fractals on its cover. From that moment, things really took off.
But ON1 wasn’t just built on product success. It was built on values — creating a company culture that prioritized employees and customers. As Craig puts it:
“We wanted to build a people-first company — one that prioritized our team and customers, not outside investors,” Craig says. “That mindset of taking care of each other has guided us every step of the way.”
That people-first mindset still defines ON1 today.
A Major Turning Point: The Suite Era
As ON1 grew, so did its ambitions. The company moved from plug-ins into a more unified editing experience, culminating in the launch of the Perfect Photo Suite.
“We gave the entire Suite away to everyone at a Photoshop roadshow,” remembers Dan Harlacher, VP of Product. “It was a $500+ product — and we just gave it away. That was a major moment for us. It put ON1 in front of a massive audience.”
The Suite combined powerful tools like masking, portrait retouching, resizing, and effects — all inside one package. And with each release, ON1 became more than just a collection of plug-ins. It was becoming a full-featured photo editor.
Built with Photographers — Literally
In 2016, ON1 took a bold step: launching the Photo RAW Project. It wasn’t just a new product — it was an invitation.
“We told our users, ‘You now have a voice in the future of raw photo editing,’ and we meant it,” says Dan. “We opened up our roadmap and started building directly with our community.”
The result was ON1 Photo RAW — a fast, flexible, non-destructive RAW editor with layers, effects, and AI tools built in. Since its launch, ON1 has released nearly 1,000 user-submitted ideas through the project.
“That level of engagement is something most software companies won’t match,” says Patrick Smith, Senior VP and GM. “But it only works if you’re truly listening — and we are. We’ve made community feedback part of our product development DNA.”
Patrick emphasizes that it’s not just about features — it’s about solving real problems for real photographers.
“When we build, we’re not chasing trends. We’re asking: Will this make editing faster? Will it be less complicated and allow for more creativity? Will it help someone fall back in love with their photography? That’s the bar.”
Education That Empowers
As ON1’s software evolved, so did its approach to education. Dylan Kotecki, ON1’s lead educator, has taught thousands of users over the years.
“What I love most is that click moment — when something finally makes sense for someone,” he says. “You can see their confidence grow right in front of you.”
Dylan’s teaching has evolved in tandem with the software.
“It’s not just about how a tool works anymore. It’s about knowing when to use it, why it matters, and how it aligns with your vision. It’s about helping people feel like editors, not just button-pushers.”
One of his most impactful lessons? A deep dive into masking techniques — a topic many find intimidating but one that unlocks powerful creativity.
“The feedback was amazing. People realized masking isn’t just technical — it’s expressive. It’s how you fine-tune your story in a photo.”
And when asked what advice he gives new users?
“Click around. Try things. You can’t mess anything up in ON1 — everything’s non-destructive. Editing should feel like a creative playground, not a checklist.”
A Culture of Connection
For Jonny Davenport, a longtime photographer, QA engineer, and support lead at ON1, the work is deeply personal.
“Photography is my life. It’s all I really know,” he says. “And every conversation I have with users — whether they’re brand new or seasoned pros — is a good day.”
Jonny’s experience in both film and digital helps him connect with users across generations. And that connection often becomes lasting.
“I’ve met people at trade shows, on the road, over support calls — and they’ve become friends. Whether it’s catching up with Frank Salas in Texas or chatting with a fellow film shooter, it all feels like one big community.”
He’s proud of how ON1 listens to users — not just in theory, but in practice.
“We’re a small team, so when I hear feedback, I bring it directly to Dan or the devs. Everyone’s always open. It’s how we improve.”
Patrick echoes that sentiment:
“One of the most unique things about ON1 is how connected our product, support, and engineering teams are. There are no silos here. If a customer shares an insight, it doesn’t just get filed — it gets a voice in the room.”
Looking Forward: The Next Chapter
So what’s next for ON1?
“We’re always balancing what’s new with what works,” Dan says. “That means faster workflows, smarter AI, and deeper mobile-to-desktop integration. But always with the same goal: helping photographers stay in control.”
To Craig, the core hasn’t changed.
“We’re still here for the same reason we started — to make great tools for photographers. And we’re just getting started.”
Patrick sums it up:
“20 years in software is rare. 20 years with a loyal, passionate community is even rarer. It’s a huge responsibility — and a privilege — to keep building for the people who got us here.”
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