Nostalgia and passion fuel young couple running old-school photo lab

In the vibrant city of Guatemala City, a young couple, Fabriccio Díaz and Lucía Ramírez, are making waves in the world of photography. They run a unique photo lab called Arca Film Lab, which is the only fully operational film development lab in Central America. This couple, both in their twenties, has turned their apartment into a bustling hub for photography enthusiasts. 'It all started as a small passion project,' says Fabriccio, who is 28 years old. Together with Lucía, who is 25, they have managed to attract over 60 clients each month and have developed more than 800 rolls of film just this year. Their kitchen is filled with bottles of chemicals and rolls of film hanging to dry, showcasing their dedication to the art of film photography.

The journey to establishing Arca Film Lab was not without its challenges. Fabriccio, who studied cinematography, realized that high-quality film development services were hard to come by in Central America. This realization pushed him to learn how to develop his own film. 'When we started experimenting and developing film in our apartment, friends began asking us to develop their film too, and it all just took off somehow,' Lucía recalls. The couple has taught themselves most of the skills needed for film development by watching YouTube videos and reaching out to other film labs around the world for advice. 'We were surprised that so many people responded to our questions. A lot of the veterans in the photo development world helped us out by sharing their experiences and tricks. We are really grateful for that,' Fabriccio shares. They also organize 'photo walks' in Antigua, where groups of people come together to take pictures and explore the world of analogue photography.

The couple's love for photography resonates with many young people, including 22-year-old Iván Ortiz, who finds joy in using cameras that are older than he is. 'It's like having nostalgia for a generation we were never a part of,' he explains. Iván believes that older generations may not fully understand the excitement surrounding old cameras and film. 'We live in a world where everything is digital and fast. Through analogue photography, I have to make conscious decisions about my photos and focus solely on the act of photographing. And the best part of it is that you have something physical afterwards, and not just another data file,' he adds. This sentiment is echoed by Steven López, a traveler from the US, who uses his analogue camera to document the last traces of Mayan culture in Central America. 'Photography, especially analogue photography, is just the best way to document and experience cultures. Every time I get back from traveling and get the developed film back, it's like Christmas! ' he tells.

Despite the growing community of analogue photography enthusiasts in Central America, Fabriccio and Lucía face significant challenges. 'It is really hard to get analogue cameras here and it is even harder to get them in good condition,' explains Ronald Ottoniel, a 26-year-old photographer. The couple also faces hurdles in acquiring the chemicals needed for developing positive film, as the import of these chemicals is closely monitored by the state and requires special permits. 'Many other labs don't offer the E-6 processing just because it's so complicated to import the chemicals,' Fabriccio explains. Their commitment to maintaining a personal touch in their business is evident. Lucía shares how clients sometimes send little sweets in the packages they send for development, and they often respond with handwritten notes. 'It's important to us that this is not a mass-producing business, but that every client is treated as an individual,' she emphasizes. They want to ensure that their clients feel valued and appreciated.