Find My Film Lab

Gelatin Labs is a family run business that began in a Maplewood, NJ basement in 2018 and now occupies two brick-and-mortar locations: one in their Maplewood hometown, and a brand new New York location which opened this July. We spoke with co-founder Ben about the expansion, and the community that exists around their labs.

Tell us about yourself?

My name’s Ben (@b.kru), and I co-founded Gelatin Labs with my dad, Doug (@dug.kru). We started out in our basement in Maplewood, NJ in 2018 with the idea that we could make high-quality film processing more accessible and enjoyable for photographers. What began as a small, family-run operation has grown into a full team processing hundreds of rolls a day from all 50 states, with locations in New Jersey and New York City. At its heart though, we’ve kept the same focus: taking care of film with the same attention and passion we’d want for our own.

What do you love about analog photography?

For me, analog is where photography began, and as we’ve witnessed, is coming back around to. Tactile processes yield human results. Every roll represents a choice someone made to slow down, to trust the process, and to let go of instant gratification. I love the imperfections and surprises that come with film. And most of all, I love that every roll we process is a piece of someone’s life, whether it’s a professional body of work or just everyday moments worth remembering. There’s also the fact that the film was present in that moment it captured, which is pretty special.

Do you have anything coming up for the lab or any special events you’d like to tell us about?

We’re continuing to expand our NYC flagship space, which doubles as both a working lab and a gallery. More events are on the way this Fall, with our Grand Opening party (stay tuned for date) being the focus. It’s important to us that Gelatin Labs isn’t just where film gets developed, but also where people can connect, share, and be inspired.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Just that we’re proud of how far the lab has come in a short time, and grateful for the community that’s grown around it. We don’t strive to be the fastest or the cheapest service, but instead the best service. Whether you’re dropping off a roll at the shop or mailing one in from across the country, we want Gelatin Labs to feel like a trusted partner in your process.