We study the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon in a collecti
ve model of baryons. Using the algebraic approach to hadron structure,
we derive closed expressions for both elastic and transition form fac
tors, and consequently for the helicity amplitudes that can be measure
d in electro- and photoproduction. Effects of spin-flavor symmetry bre
aking and of swelling of hadrons with increasing excitation energy are
considered.