I Am A Camera Store Owner And I Love The iPhone

I know what you guys are probably thinking… Why would a camera store owner want to promote the iPhone, the very item that has helped to push small point-and-shoot cameras closer to the edge of extinction? Well, the answer is simple: beyond being a business owner and far beyond being an iPhone user, I am first and foremost a lover of taking pictures. And the iPhone has helped to better promote photography for people once unfamiliar with the craft that has now become their passion.

A long time ago, before the iPhone -- you know, the dark ages -- photography could be seen as an intimidating, technically challenging (and expensive) hobby that required a wealth of knowledge before the camera was even picked up. While the complexity of professional photography hasn’t changed, iPhones have given everyone an easy-to-use camera that fits inside their pocket. They let them experience the joy of capturing the perfect moment while also helping them to effortlessly develop the most important skill, a sharp compositional eye. Since 2015, iPhones helped usher in 600 million new photographers, skyrocketing the number of pictures taken to the hundreds of billions. In 2018, it was estimated that a record-breaking trillion photos were taken using cell-phone cameras.

I think back to my own childhood and realize how few pictures there are of little me simply because my parents didn’t think of themselves as professional photographers. Certainly not enough to purchase a film camera, load it and then have the film developed. Today, every new parent has an almost moment-to-moment account of their growing child. Every fond memory is captured inside a digital time capsule. Vacations and first dates are recorded for posterity. Even full-feature films have been shot on iPhones. An impressive feat no matter what business you’re in. The world is full of photographers thanks to the iPhone. Exactly as it should be given the world is such a big, interesting and beautiful place.

For me, I’ll still be here proudly cheering on all avenues for aspiring artists, craftsman and technicians, helping them move into their first totally dedicated photography and video camera when they wish to grow beyond the limitations of their phone. When they want to explore low-light and night sky photography, or sports, or professional portraiture and only a real camera will do, we’ll be here to offer them the right tools and the education needed to turn this wonderful hobby into the life-long vocation it has become for so many of us.