Fuzzy clustering methods have been used extensively for image segmentation in the past decade. The most commonly used soft clustering algorithm is Fuzzy C-Means. An improvised version of FCM called Intuitionistic Fuzzy C-Means (IFCM) has also gained popularity in the recent past. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid algorithm which combines intuitionistic fuzzy c-means and firefly algorithm to propose Intuitionistic Fuzzy C-Means with Firefly Algorithm (IFCMFA). Experimental analysis confirms that IFCMFA is far more superior to both FCM and IFCM. Several measures like DB-index and D-index are used for this purpose. Also, different types of images like MRI scan, Rice, Lena and satellite image are used as inputs to establish our claim. © 2018, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.