The world has been digital for more than a decade now. The way people communicate, transact, and work are all done digitally. We may not be living in the futuristic world like how they portray in the movies, but we surely are in the well-developed technological age. 

Came in the pandemic, businesses and organisations were forced to level up their digital advancements, with the goal of contactless transactions. One sector that has been affected by digitalisation is the professional photo printing business. They are the ones that felt the gravity of the sudden shift, which impacted their operation tremendously. 

Smartphones have become everybody’s holy grail. Everything became instantaneous, most especially the way we take photos. Do you find something pretty? Click it. Having a great night out with friends? Snap it. If you’ve been wondering how photo printing businesses are keeping up in the ever-changing digital world, here are four ways how they do it. 

1. They develop mobile and web applications for photo services

What greater way is it to go with the flow but to join the craze, right? It is evident how photo printing shops’ sales have been affected. But, this did not stop them to develop and cater their services digitally. They came up with mobile and web applications that provide services for people who prefer to do things virtually.

Mobile applications competition is tight. Most especially that almost anyone can develop a well-designed and reliable application these days. Still, film processing shops joined the game by turning their services into an accessible and convenient experience. 

Nowadays, people don’t often go to photo printing shops to have their ID pictures taken. Instead, they take photos using their smartphones or high-quality cameras. Then, with the use of photoshops or any photo application, they edit their shots’ background and quality. Resulting in a professionally taken and edited quality photo.

They designed applications where people can easily manipulate and edit their shots the way they want to. Though their in-shop services have declined, they are still managing to provide and improve their services digitally. Adding creative juices that people enjoy from time to time to keep up with the market’s fast-changing preferences.

2. They focus on developing tools for a better picture and video-taking experience with high-quality cameras

One thing that became so popular over the past years was the hype on vlogging. With youtube, anyone can post their videos and share their lives instantly. From travels to personal experiences, video production has never been easy as it is now. 

Photo printing businesses noticed how in-demand vlogging is, and they took advantage of it in the best possible way. Vloggers always look for better ways to showcase their craft. One aspect that they focus on aside from their content, is their video quality production.

Who actually prefers to watch a video in 144p? Of course, more often than not, the majority prefers to watch in 4k or 1080p. That’s why vloggers save up and invest in high-quality cameras. Well-known camera brands partner with photo printing shops to boost their sales.

Aside from video quality production, other businesses and brands focus on providing a convenient way of vlogging. Cameras that are portable and handy are introduced and being constantly developed. Since the market is all after convenience now, products are designed for a seamless photo and video-taking experience.

3. They reintroduce their well-loved cameras

In the last decade, polaroids made their huge comeback. People were crazy over polaroids and hyped their hazy dreamy photo aesthetic. Huge professional photo printing companies benefited from it. 

Sales increased as people always look for polaroid films. And so, companies continue to develop and provide better polaroid cameras. They market it in different sizes and colours, to target teens and people in their 20s. Even until now, polaroids are still loved by many.

Their comeback provided creative ideas for photo applications to create filters that are similar to the real polaroid camera. Not only did the polaroids were revived in the last years. Photo film cameras are also reintroduced and caused a craze to many. 

Film processing has indeed risen from the dead. Disposable cameras have led this fad in the last few years. Film camera models have been developed and improved, providing high-quality film shots that are admired by many. 

With these comebacks, professional photo printing shops’ in-store sales improved. This also made them refine their online services that cater to their reintroduced products. 

4. Open photobooth stalls in stations and public places

Not everyone finds digital advancements accessible and convenient. Most especially people who are in their 60s and above. Yes, they may be using smartphones and laptops, but most of them are only using them for limited purposes. Mostly for entertainment and communication.

And this market was never disregarded by the photo printing businesses. They made sure to provide an instant way to cater to those who need it. Some businesses opened and set up photobooth stalls for instant photo taking.

You can usually find one in train stations, malls, and even commercial property where people pass by on the way to work. All you have to do is enter the booth, chip in your payment, and click the screen. Then, you’re ready to go. These photo booths do not only target senior citizens but also people who are always on the go.

This is very beneficial for corporate employees. Usually, these photo booths also offer printing services. Where you just have to connect your device, insert your hard drive, or email the file to their system. With one click, you have that printed document your boss needs. 

This is very beneficial for people who don’t have printers in their homes. Photo booths were developed to once again provide convenience to many. Just like how digital advancements do.

How does the future look like for photo printing businesses? 

Only time can tell what the future will bring. At this point, it’s hard to tell if the current road will bring them prosperity or downfall. Nevertheless, the photo experience will surely get better. We can say that we are just getting started. So many opportunities and creative juices await to be implemented.

In the future, we can only look forward to a better photo and video taking experience. Who knows, maybe by then cameras look like mobile phones but with higher photo quality production. Even better than 4k, maybe? 

Maybe camera software will provide a three-dimensional video experience 15 years from now. Until then, we can only enjoy the amazing benefits of the advancements that we have now.