Freestyle Photo & Imaging Supplies - Los Angeles, California

Richard B.

I ordered photo paper from them but some of it was on back order. They only charged me for what they actually had in stock, great.
However, 3 months later they shipped the rest and charged me for it. No notification, no email, nothing. Too bad I no longer need the paper, or live at that address...

Just go to B&H if you want any reliability.

Tim H.

Been shopping here since 1989 when I was in high school. I remember the old location and the staff there, and bought my first Holgas for $12 before anybody knew what they were. I miss the feel of all of the old camera stores that are disappearing but I hope to shop here again soon when I build my darkroom for all my old archives of negs to get new life

Jenae L.

Freestyle knows what’s up in the film world! Filled with all your photo needs from film and paper to development equipment and backdrops. Plus their staff are highly knowledgeable and super down to help you out. We spoke with Josh about a Rollei color chem kit, and he offered some amazing advice about how to use the kit.

The reason we came in was because the kit we purchased online didn’t come with the correct chemicals. Freestyle was super helpful in exchanging our product for the right one from the manufacturers and it made our whole experience feel like they really cared. My husband develops film for customers and he found out last minute that the kit wasn’t right. Freestyle came through! Thank you for all your help!

Their store is fully stocked, plenty of free parking out front for customers and it’s a safe shopping experience during this pandemic.

Maddy B.

Unfortunately, there is a reason why previous reviews don’t recommend developing film here. While the staff is incredibly kind and helpful when it comes to photography/developing knowledge, there is immense disorganization & lack of communication amongst them, and I am incredibly disappointed with my most recent experience here after dropping off two rolls of film to be developed.

I was called multiple times re-requesting an additional special handling fee (after paying it with no hesitation the first time) I confusingly explained I thought the extra fee had been paid already. I wait over 7 business days (well past their 5-7 day processing time), & I finally call to chase down my film. They tell me they are so sorry but they never updated the lab that I had paid the fee, but would do so now and refund my entire order for the hassle and inconvenience. I say no worries, thanks so much.

Days later, I get yet another call requesting the fee again, I exhaustedly explain. They tell me the same; sorry it was a miscommunication, they had a managerial switch and it got “lost in the sauce” (not kidding, that’s what I was told lol). They say the scans will be done shortly & I will be refunded. I was given a staff member’s name and told that she would personally see to the order’s completion and refund. I recognized her name as I had met her during a previous store visit and was relieved to speak to a familiar voice. She tells me if I don’t receive my scans or refund soon, to ask for her when I come in.

My scans finally arrived, however, the refund did not. One of my rolls hardly came out at all but I did not fault the lab for this as it was old film.

When I go to pick up my negatives, I ask the same staff member who gave me her name but am met with confusion regarding the promised refund. She apologized they hadn’t “written it down in a note” and did not remember, therefore couldn’t proceed with any refund. In fact, she said she did not remember speaking to me at all, but I recall her & our convo quite well. Not a single staff member there could remember the details of my order even though I spoke to each one over the phone about it previously. I was told I “probably misunderstood,” and they perhaps just meant refunding the special handling fee. (..Even though they had no record of that either.)

After a long awkward back-and-forth with staff, I believe I hear the manager whisper to refund the whole invoice, but I guess I misheard. The staff member only offered to reimburse me the fee + one of my rolls. I feel as though my kindness and understanding was taken advantage of.

Ultimately, the price was comparable to same-day labs. Definitely not worth the over-two-week-long wait or the service I received. (Dropped them off Sept. 24th, finally got scans Oct. 11th!) Their pricing is also not transparent as I was asked for an up-charge after my film had been processed.

I am incredibly disheartened by my experience especially since my previous visits to purchase film had been so positive.. I even previously recommended the store to others.. But I cannot recommend their lab services after this last encounter— I tried to remain super polite & understanding throughout this ordeal but the severe lack of communication and forgetfulness of the staff was really frustrating.

I wish that they had honored their word and made up for this prolonged headache. I can excuse the countless mistakes, but am overall very displeased with the false promises & refusal to take accountability. God forbid anything goes wrong with your order on their end, it is not likely they’ll fix their wrongdoings. While this store is fantastic for your photography supply needs (amazing inventory), please don’t develop your rolls here!!

Sarkis R. (. R.

Great place, with countless varieties. The staff was nice and welcoming. Prices are cheaper than anyone else, especially from Sammy’s store in Pasadena. I bought a pack of 100 photographic papers HP5 for $78 ($83 original price) with student discount, where the same thing at Sammy’s was at $99! Definitely shopping here again.

Marc Y.

What a candy store for film photographers! An amazing selection of films, papers, and photographic equipment and chemicals. What a treasure, with 75 years in the business!

Paul C.

Glad that this place still exists.
Not much available in the smaller location but you can order to the store online to save on chemical shipping costs.

Ben P.

Love all the film and cameras and equipment here. Very friendly.