Today we’d like to introduce you to John Dekerlegand.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Since 2018 I had been interested in film photography, and when I say film photography, I mean the whole process. Such as shooting, developing, scanning, and editing the film.
During the pandemic, I was looking for a job, and I had the idea to use these skills I had been practicing since 2018. So, I decided to start Reel Quick film lab. My goal was to start a film lab that was reasonably priced and the fastest turnaround time in Houston.
I started Reel Quick film lab in my apartment in May 2021. I would meet customers and retrieve their film at an agreed-upon meeting point that was halfway for both of us. I would meet customers up until September 1st, 2021; once Reel Quick had opened its first dropbox at the Tipping Point coffee shop downtown.
Since Feb 2022, we’ve had a physical location and moved to our current spot at Starseed Hostel in the east end of Houston.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running your own business can take over your life. It hasn’t necessarily been easy, but for me, this is the easy way. I would rather work for myself than anyone else. The fact that I can be my on boss and decide what type of work I do or how I get it done is everything to me.
My biggest struggle is a work-life balance. I have struggled with this in the first year of running Reel Quick, especially. When this business is your life it’s hard to separate that from the everyday. But it has definitely been easier considering I have moved to a physical location.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Reel Quick Film Lab is a local photo film processing service located in Houston, Texas. We offer a 3-5 business day turnaround for developing and scanning photographic film. Our 3-5 business day turnaround is the fastest in town.
What I’m most proud of is to provide a quality service at a reasonable price that is also done in a timely manner.
I want the readers to know why I started this business. I originally started developing film myself because I couldn’t wait a week to ship the film off. It was too much waiting over a week to see the pictures I had taken, or if they had even come out at all! So, I understand the need to see your pics as soon as you can!
That’s why I want to provide a service that is fast and not too expensive. As a film photographer myself, I understand how expensive film has gotten. So, I try and bring these qualities of cost and time when running my business.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
One thing that has helped me is persistence. I have not given up no matter the challenges. I know it’s cliche, but it’s true. There were many times when I would encounter a mystery problem. Be it with mixing photo chemicals, computer software, or film processing. Each time, I would not give up and keep trying solutions until it worked or I figured out what not to do. In those situations, something’s got to give and it ain’t gonna be me!
Also, find something you really enjoy and try to make a business out of it. It may become less enjoyable once you have to do it for a living, I understand, but it has to be something that brings you satisfaction. The fact you can work for yourself is truly rewarding. You get out what you put in.
Pricing:
- Develop and scan 35mm film – $12 per roll
- Develop and scan 120 film – $15 per roll
- Develop and scan disposable cameras – $13 per disposable
- $2 off your first order.
- We offer 1 day turn around – $15 extra and 2 day for – $10 extra per roll
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reelquickfilmlab.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelquickfilmlab/
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/lo_five_film/
