Remember the smell of film rolls and the feel of manual focus?
You may see many things come and go throughout a lifetime, especially in photography. Technology is advancing rapidly as it hits the market. Fads like HDR and white vignettes in portrait photography eventually fade and are soon forgotten. But one thing in photography that has endured is camera stores. There were days when the local market had several stores with stiff competition. Many have closed, yet some are still holding on despite competition from online retailers. But what’s their future?
I know firsthand the struggles that camera stores face daily. I managed sales at our local camera store for several years. It’s more than just online competition—it’s dwindling profit margins from manufacturers, higher shipping costs, a decline in sales, and the impact of smartphones. Unfortunately, my former employer closed while I was still teaching classes, and our community lost a great asset; almost everyone I know has moved to purchasing online. Now, I can only think of two to three stores left in the state; there used to be about six.
The Decline: What Went Wrong?
The decline in camera stores began with the introduction of the smartphone, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the problem. Many families traded their digital point-and-shoot cameras and DSLRs for a tiny device that makes calls and takes photos. Mark Comon is the President of Paul’s Photo and The Creative Photo Academy in Torrance, California. Mark’s dad started the business in 1961, and Mark joined the team in high school in 1974. Over the years, Paul’s Photo has seen many changes in the industry, from 4×5 cameras to smaller 35mm cameras, the transition from film to digital, and the current shift from DSLR to mirrorless cameras. When I asked Mark, “Do you feel there was a specific tipping point when camera stores started to decline?” he stated, “As the original owners started to age out, many had no one to carry on the business, and with the switch to digital and online sales, many were unable to adapt.” “One thing we know is the constant evolution in the business.”
n an industry already reeling from years of declining sales, camera stores met a new challenge: COVID-19. In March 2020, the world came to a standstill with an unknown future. Retail, in general, had a new challenge to face. How do we stay open to the ever-changing world that would change daily, even hourly? Camera stores were no different, but I know that the ones that survived did this one thing: they adapted to the situation. Mark at Paul’s Photo started the Be Creative series, a series of videos posted daily to inspire photographers and encourage them to keep photographing during the pandemic. Many stores found creative ways to let people know they were still open for business. Yet, many closed because they failed to adapt and waited for the world to reopen.
Adapting and Thriving: Why Some Stores Still Succeed
Specialized Experience
In retail, it’s a no-brainer; it’s all about the experience. Many brands and camera stores need to create an in-store experience. I recently visited a camera store; from the moment I walked in to when I left, no one said hi or acknowledged I was there. It could have been a better experience. It was dimly lit, and you could tell they were just holding on. The staff was “geeking out” together but not engaging with the customers. Walking into Paul’s Photo is an experience; the staff is fantastic, and there is a buzz. There’s no outdated gear on the shelves, and you can hear the excitement from the customers. Think about your favorite store. Why do you shop there? It’s likely because of the experience. The experience goes beyond the physical retail location. The online experience is just as necessary, and thriving stores do just that! They offer education online via YouTube and Facebook. They see that creating content by engaging with customers and creating buzz is just as crucial as selling a product.
Education
I am a lifelong learner and have saved a lifetime and a half of YouTube videos! Many photographers are. Paul’s Photo and Fort Worth Camera are two stores that thrive by educating photographers and offering incredible experiences. Paul’s Photo has a photo school, The Creative Photo Academy, which offers classes, workshops, and adventures. Want to learn something new while traveling to National Parks in the United States, Namibia, or the Northern Lights in Canada? Mark and the team offer these trips and more. They offer classes for all skill levels, from landscape photography to Photoshop.
Are you looking for nine days of fantastic education with over 40 events for any skill level? Forth Worth Camera, located in Forth Worth, Texas, is offering it in May 2025! Funkytown Focus is one of many unique events they’ve provided over the years. In a world where many stores are barely getting by, Fort Worth Camera is thriving. They offer a unique variety of events for photographers, making them one of the top camera stores that focus on more than just selling a camera.
Rentals
Many thriving stores offer in-store rental gear. If you’re looking for a lens or camera body for a trip, call your local camera store to see if they have what you want. Mark at Paul’s Photo said, “Rentals are rockin’!” They only offer local rentals, not online. This allows you to get the gear when you need it. I have often looked at rental gear from major online rental sites, only to find they’re out of stock because millions of photographers are competing for the most popular gear.
The photography community excels at building connections, and thriving stores do this well. Mark at Paul’s Photo says, “Community is 100% important. We built a community in the store and the academy. We support each other, share ideas, and work together for mutual success.” A camera store is a place for like-minded individuals who support you and help you become a better photographer. Over the years, I met many customers and photographers who became friends, calling on each other for help with ideas or critiques. You never know who you’ll find behind or in front of the counter at a store!
The Future of Camera Stores
The Comeback of Film
It’s crazy to say. Film is coming back, and many places still won’t support film. You can’t stop at the gas station and pick up a roll of film, shoot it, and drop it off at Wal-Mart for one-hour processing. The most popular films purchased are Kodak Potra 400, Cinestill 800T, and Kodak Gold. Where do you get these? Camera stores. Stores that still support film with their C-41 processing are seeing a significant uptick! It’s funny how the past is returning, from records to film. Stores are buying used film cameras and accessories for their used departments.
Educational Role
Knowledge is power! There are so many places to find information today. Sometimes, that new information creates new questions. It’s hard to ask YouTube a question and receive an answer. Stores are the best place to find the latest information and ask those new questions. Many camera store employees are avid photographers themselves! Who better to ask than an avid photographer?
Niche Is the New Mainstream
One positive outcome of fewer camera stores is that they have become niche businesses. Camera stores offer more than just services and cameras; they host events to try new gear, showcase customers’ work in in-store galleries, and create unique experiences. At Paul’s Photo, you’ll find camera walkabouts and other events where you can try new gear and meet new friends. When I researched photographing my Route 66 trip on film back in April 2024, I found Midwest Film Co., located in Wichita, Kansas. They specialize in motion picture film for stills and video, developing and scanning Kodak Motion Picture Film, C-41 (color), and black-and-white film stocks. A niche business, but where else would you find this level of service?
Why Shop at Your Local Camera Store
I was behind the counter for several years, and I could give a million reasons to shop at your local store, but I reached out to several customers from my days at the store and others who frequent camera stores. I asked, “What brings you to camera stores today?” The most common answer was that the staff, relationships built, and customer service were meaningful. Many others said that being able to touch the product was a significant advantage. Rick stated, “The ability to see and touch the product before buying is a big plus.” I firmly believe in the importance of how a camera feels in your hand. When I researched my first DSLR purchase, I was dead set on a Canon 20D. When I finally had the money, I was ready to buy it! But when I put the Canon 20D in my hand, I didn’t like it. Bummer! The employee at Ritz Camera gave me the Nikon D70 to try, and I loved it! To this day, I still shoot with Nikon.
Will It Last?
Will more stores close? It’s guaranteed, but many will survive. Look around to see if you can find other businesses we thought had closed years ago. Locally, we still have shoe repair, clock repair, seamstresses, and more. Camera stores will be the same. We won’t have multiple locations in each community, but we will still have one, and you may have to travel to get there. The future of camera stores won’t be about scaling up with multiple locations across the state or country. It will be because they took the time to learn about their audience, provide value, and build community. I asked Mark at Paul’s Photo about the future of camera stores, and he said, “100% YES.” I then wondered why he felt there was a future, and if he were starting the business today, would he open a physical or online store? Mark replied, “Physical with an online presence.” The physical location is the secret to building community, creating an experience, and serving customers!
In the comments below, I would love to hear about your experiences and whether you have a local camera store in your area—especially from our international readers!
