Celebrities embrace film photography trend at Kameratori in Tampere, Finland

In recent years, various celebrities, including the Kardashian sisters, actor Jason Momoa, and Brooklyn Beckham, have embraced a specific accessory: the film camera. As high-quality smartphones have become ubiquitous, the trend of shooting on film is making a comeback. This global resurgence is not only evident in the gala attire of superstars and their social media posts but also at a unique camera store in Tampere, Finland.

Kameratori, located in an old industrial building’s seventh floor, services, sells, and inspects around 500 cameras, lenses, and accessories weekly. According to CEO Jussi Lehmus, during peak weeks, nearly 1,000 devices change hands, leading to tens of thousands annually.

Lehmus and his friend Juho Leppänen founded the business in 2010 when the market was teetering on the edge of declaring film photography dead. However, they identified a niche by sourcing surplus cameras in Finland and selling them internationally, primarily through eBay. Initially, their clientele consisted mainly of enthusiasts, but a surprising shift occurred about ten years ago when young women began flocking to the store, signaling a new phase of growth.

Currently, approximately 2-3 million active film photographers exist globally. Despite production halts during the pandemic, Kodak, the final manufacturer of color film, has ramped up operations, hiring hundreds of new staff to satisfy rising consumer interest.

As more people discover the appeal of film photography, Lehmus emphasizes that nearly every camera still holds value, often revealing hidden treasures from forgotten storage spaces. The revival of analog photography not only reflects a trend but also underscores a sustainable business model within the circular economy, showcasing how the past can pave the way for a renewed future.