In robotics and computer vision, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and structure from motion (SFM) are important and closely related problems. I will review how SLAM, SFM, and other problems in robotics and vision can be posed in terms of factor graphs, which provide a graphical language in which to develop and collaborate on such problems. The theme of the talk will be to emphasize the advantages and intuition that come with analyzing factor graphs. I will show how using these insights we have developed both batch and incremental algorithms defined on graphs in the SLAM/SFM domain, as well as more sophisticated approaches to trajectory optimization. Many of these ideas are embodied in the Skydio R1, a commercially available, fully autonomous drone I helped develop at Skydio, a San Francisco Bay area startup.