diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
index 7a02f08410..d11de0505d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
@@ -228,15 +228,17 @@ void APIConnection::loop() {
     }
   }
 
-#ifdef USE_CAMERA
-  this->try_send_camera_image_();
-#endif
-
 #ifdef USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES
   if (state_subs_at_ >= 0) {
     this->process_state_subscriptions_();
   }
 #endif
+
+#ifdef USE_CAMERA
+  // Process camera last - state updates are higher priority
+  // (missing a frame is fine, missing a state update is not)
+  this->try_send_camera_image_();
+#endif
 }
 
 bool APIConnection::send_disconnect_response(const DisconnectRequest &msg) {