Davao City photo studio ceases making memories after 44 years

A mixed mood of smiles and sadness can be seen among employees of pioneer photo studio Photohouse Laboratory in this city on July 31 as they entertain a handful of customers.

- BY KEITH BACONGCO

Some of their colleagues are clearing the cabinets and putting most of the unsold photography supplies, picture frames, and instamatic cameras into boxes.

While some of them are still cheerfully chatting each other, they are obviously hiding their sadness as some of them would wake up jobless the next morning.

Photohouse Laboratory ceased printing memories after 44 years on Thursday.

It was the most popular photo printer of not just the ordinary residents but as well as some of the most prominent families in this city.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the city hall, the photo studio was established in 1981 and offered various photography services.

Loreto Lim, one of the owners, admitted their sales have declined since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

"Besides, many of the photographers now, especially who are known as speculators, have their own printers. Some have mobile setup that they can bring along wherever they are shooting," Lim told Manila Bulletin.

But he pointed out that their clients may have not realized that the quality of their pictures are not at par with the ones printed in photo laboratories.

Since the proliferation of smartphones, an employee said that people have also stopped printing their pictures.

Instead, they prefer to upload them in their social media accounts or just store them inside their smartphones.

His sister and co-owner, Luisa, told Manila Bulletin that it is also difficult to find parts for their aging printing machines.