Photo Industry’s Transitions from Film to Digital is Nearly Complete, Reports Photo Industry Executive
Irvine, CA (ContentDesk) June 14, 2006 -- Photo retailers in the U.S. and abroad are reporting almost no traditional film orders. While this would have been an ominous strike against the imaging industry just a few years ago, acceptance of digital photography is eclipsing the lost film revenues with new products."Just look at the habits of today's soccer fans attending World Cup Germany 2006? to recognize that digital cameras are fully integrated and everywhere. Customers we heard from did not see a single film camera in the stadium or on the streets in Munich," explained photo industry expert, Mitch Goldstone. Whether it is at the world's largest sporting event or locally at retail photo centers like Goldstone's Irvine-Calif-based 30 Minute Photos Etc.?, the photo industry's transition from film to digital is nearly complete."Service is becoming as valuable a marketing tool as brand awareness," said Goldstone, who also operates the national online boutique photo service, 30minphotos.com.
"The marketing capital that galvanized the industry for generations has shifted from manufacturers' brand recognition to personality and service. When picture-takers use the Internet for most online photo services, the texture of those websites is nearly identical. Machines do most of the work and there is little to differentiate one service from the next. Most are indistinguishable and the standouts specialize in old-fashion customer service."It almost appears that the online photo brand leaders have shifted their business models from reputation to pricing.
Could this shift commoditize themselves out of the picture?
While they sell photo coffee mugs and pictures on tee-shirts, the independent photo specialty retailers are selling personality.
Photo labs understand that it is not machines, but real people and service that matter most."It's the special human touch from traditional photo retailers that contribute to enhancing every order. The distant factories that mass produce photo orders in walled buildings are competing against local retailers with real store fronts. The latter are involved with their communities, see the customers, smile and hold hands," explained Goldstone.It is all about old-fashion customer service and interacting with people, rather than relying on machines and computers. Picture-takers want to have a connection to the business they are trusting with their photo memories. This is why more photo retailers are creating their own online services as an extension of their famed personality and service to boost the buzz about their traditional retail stores.
Because technology in the photo business has moved at lightening-fast speed, it has also enabled single, independent photo businesses to compete effectively by offering their own online and in-store photo services. Photography is an art rather than a science and consumers benefit from a real person with which to interact.
Photo labs which embrace all the newest online and in-store technologies hold the advantage. For instance, Kostas Mallios, director of venture integration for Microsoft? addressed the April Photoimagers Manufacturers and Distributors Association monthly meeting. Photo Trade News reported in May that Mr.
Mallios wanted to see broad availability of online services to include not just the larger chain stores, but also the local retail photo labs too. Six new business growth areas where retailers are using their personal customer service to explain new technology offerings are:1) Kodak? high-speed photo scanning to preserve generations of family pictures; scan 750 pictures in 5-minutes. As the first online scanning service, http://www.ShoeboxReprints.com ? has designed a new business model to complement its parent service, http://www.30minphotos.com ?.2) Lucidiom? electronic photo scrapbooking kiosks and Automatic Photo Machines with in-store photo gift ordering and instant file transfers from CD to DVD slide shows.3) Redesigned retail stores offering unique destination to encourage people to stay and play with their digital images. Photo labs should sell all scrapbooking supplies, frames and offer customers Luci? professional scrapbooking templates. See "In The News" link at http://www.30minphotos.com ? for store redesign and other recent news profiles.4) Instant online ordering with "24/7" live technical support and same day mail return or instant pickup service to strengthen local photo labs.5) Partnering with Internet companies like Photogize? to provide the most complete end-to-end solution for digital photo finishers.6) Modernizing existing photo lab equipment with printers from Noritsu? which has a rich heritage of photo innovation and pioneering digital imaging technologies and from other leading manufacturers.Background: 30 Minute Photos Etc.?, founded in 1990, is regularly featured by the national media.
The company's president recently addressed the International Photo Marketing Association's national convention to profile the new Kodak? document imaging scanning technology. The company is also lead plaintiff in the antitrust litigation against Visa?, MasterCard? and leading member banks for alleged credit card merchant interchange price-fixing.
More info available at: WayTooHigh.com - The Credit Card Interchange Report? which Carl Berman and Mitch Goldstone co-edit. Website: http://www.WayTooHigh.com ?.Contact: Mitch Goldstone, President & CEO, 30 Minute Photos Etc.?, 92 Corporate Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606, Ph: 949-474-7654, goldstone(at)30minphotos.com, website: http://www.30minphotos.com ?; and, http://www.ShoeboxReprints.com ?.30 Minute Photos Etc.? - a certified member of the International Photo Marketing Association? since 1990. (All businesses mentioned are trademarked by their respective companies and are not affiliated with this release)..
Goody Candles Introduces Online Photo Candle Design Center
Southington, CT (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) July 7, 2005 -- Goody Candles, a producer of premium, personalized Photo Candle gifts, is proud to announce the launch of their new website, GoodyCandles.com. "With our new website, we are giving everyone the ability to create their own unique, personalized, Photo Candle gifts. Our online Photo Candle Design Center gives our valued customers control throughout the design process," states Sabine Goodrich, Vice President and Owner of Goody Candles.A Photo Candle is a custom designed candle with any image and text placed inside during the manufacturing process. Ideas and occasions for Photo Candle use are shown at GoodyCandles.com in their Photo Candle Gallery.In the past, production of Photo Candles has taken two weeks or more between finalizing designs and manufacturing. Now, production time has been cut by 50 percent due to bringing the design process online and giving ultimate control...
Goody Candles Introduces Online Photo Candle Design Center
Photo printers > Goody Candles Introduces Online Photo Candle Design Center
Photo Industry’s Transitions from Film to Digital is Nearly Complete, Reports Photo Industry Executive
Irvine, CA (ContentDesk) June 14, 2006 -- Photo retailers in the U.S. and abroad are reporting almost no traditional film orders. While this would have been an ominous strike against the imaging industry just a few years ago, acceptance of digital photography is eclipsing the lost film revenues with new products."Just look at the habits of today's soccer fans attending World Cup Germany 2006? to recognize that digital cameras are fully integrated and everywhere. Customers we heard from did not see a single film camera in the stadium or on the streets in Munich," explained photo industry expert, Mitch Goldstone. Whether it is at the world's largest sporting event or locally at retail photo centers like Goldstone's Irvine-Calif-based 30 Minute Photos Etc.?, the photo industry's transition from film to digital is nearly complete."Service is becoming as valuable a marketing tool as brand awareness," said Goldstone, who also operates the national online boutique photo service, 30minphotos.com....
Photo Industry’s Transitions from Film to Digital is Nearly Complete, Reports Photo Industry Executive
Photo printers > Photo Industry’s Transitions from Film to Digital is Nearly Complete, Reports Photo Industry Executive
It’s About Sharing Memories: The New Photo CD Gift Envelope from Allsop, Inc.
Bellingham, WA (ContentDesk) January 12, 2006 -- A quick and easy way to share digital photos with family and friends, the new Photo CD Gift Envelope from Allsop, Inc. can be a creative gift, a memorable greeting card, a treasured keepsake or a virtual visit. 
???This stylish envelope features a protective pocket for a CD or DVD, plus a 4 by 6 inch window insert to display a photo print.
A message or greeting can be written above the photo.
Available in Midnight Blue, Cream or Metallic Lavender, the Photo CD Gift Envelope is pretty enough to serve as gift wrapping, but sturdy enough to be mailed.A time-saver for busy people, Photo CD Gift Envelopes allow the user to quickly send CD photo albums to family and friends, versus the effort of printing, sorting and shipping multiple prints.
This distributes images in a permanent...
It’s About Sharing Memories: The New Photo CD Gift Envelope from Allsop, Inc.
Photo printers > It’s About Sharing Memories: The New Photo CD Gift Envelope from Allsop, Inc.
A Guide to Electric Wheelchairs
A wheelchair is a mobility device that enables a sick or a disabled person to move. It's basically a chair mounted on wheels, which can be propelled either manually or electrically. Wheelchairs propelled electronically are known as electric wheelchairs.Electric wheelchairs are powered by motors. They can be used indoors and outdoors and cost at least $1,500. Depending on the kind and extent of use, there are several kinds of wheelchairs available on the market.
Some features to consider...
A Guide to Electric Wheelchairs electric generators
Photo printers > A Guide to Electric Wheelchairs
Motivational Expert Provides Diversity Training Programs
Motivational expert Paul Lawrence Vann, President/CEO of Laurel Wreath Communications Inc. is currently providing a diversity training program titled "Managing Differences on a Staff." The Managing Differences on a Staff training program will increase your organizations understanding about the impact of diversity on work behavior and help personnel gain skills in dealing effectively with staff of all backgrounds, "Vann states." For more information visit his website at
Motivational Expert Provides Diversity Training Programs Photo Industry’s Transitions from Film to Digital is Nearly Complete, Reports Photo Industry Executive puppy training
Photo printers > Motivational Expert Provides Diversity Training Programs
POS Printers
Fast-developing technology has come up with a variety of features of features in point of sale, or POS, printers that provide for the different uses at a point of sale. Remote printing is now the "in-thing" for restaurant owners?customer orders are directly printed in the kitchen with number and order size.
Printers in a POS system are the main output devices and usually have one or two independent cash register ports attached. Such a printer and cash register will share a single...
Photo printers > POS Printers
7 Reasons Why Doing Your Christmas Shopping Early This Year Makes More Sense Than Ever
Boone, NC (ContentDesk) November 17, 2005 -- Doing your Christmas shopping early is usually a good idea, but experts agree that the benefits are far greater this year. The combination of high gas prices and economic uncertainty are causing smart retailers to offer exceptionally low prices much earlier than usual. Right after Thanksgiving the sales are going to be the hottest, says Nicky Lawrence, editor of SuperChristmasGifts.com, a premier resource for great Christmas gifts on the web. Stores...
Photo Industry’s Transitions from Film to Digital is Nearly Complete, Reports Photo Industry Executive
Photo printers > 7 Reasons Why Doing Your Christmas Shopping Early This Year Makes More Sense Than Ever