Fabriccio Díaz, 28, along with his wife Lucía Ramírez, 25, has turned their passion for photography into a thriving business by establishing Central America’s first fully operational photo film development lab, operating from their apartment in Guatemala City.
Since the start of this year, they have serviced over 60 clients monthly and have processed more than 800 film rolls.
Arca Film Lab is currently the only lab in Central America capable of developing all types of analogue photography film, including the complex E-6 process used for developing color slides.
Fabriccio, who studied cinematography, was motivated to learn film development after facing difficulties accessing reliable services in the region.
“After experimenting and developing films at home, friends started requesting our services, and it took off from there,” Lucía shares.
Founded in September 2023, Arca Film Lab initially began as an Instagram page documenting their film development services in Guatemala.
The couple largely taught themselves film developing techniques through online resources and by connecting with international film labs for advice.
“We were amazed by how many professionals were willing to share their knowledge and experiences with us,” Fabriccio emphasizes.
Their passion extends beyond film development as they also organize “photo walks” in the historical area of Antigua, inviting photography enthusiasts to explore and capture their surroundings with vintage cameras.
For young enthusiasts like Iván Ortiz, 22, shooting with vintage cameras offers a unique experience that modern technology can’t replicate: “It’s a nostalgic journey into a time we never knew,” he states.
He adds, “Analog photography forces me to make deliberate choices and to truly focus on the art of capturing images. The tangible outcome of holding a physical photo makes it all worthwhile.”
This sentiment resonates with Steven López, a 33-year-old traveler documenting Mayan culture, who believes shooting on film is the best way to truly appreciate and record different cultures.
Despite a rising community of analogue photography enthusiasts in Central America, challenges remain, such as the difficulty in accessing quality vintage cameras. Ronald Ottoniel, 26, remarks on the scarcity of well-maintained equipment across the region.
Additionally, the couple faces bureaucratic hurdles with importing necessary chemicals for film development, particularly with the E-6 process, which is tightly regulated and requires special permits to obtain.
“Many competitors avoid offering E-6 development due to these complexities,” Fabriccio explains.
As their business grows, Fabriccio and Lucía remain dedicated to maintaining a personal connection with each client. “Clients often include little treats in their packages, and we respond with handwritten notes,” Lucía shares.
Emphasizing individuality over mass production, they ensure that each client receives personalized treatment, contrasting sharply with automated labs that rely on large machinery.
Precision is crucial in determining the quality of developed color and positive (E-6) film. “We learned through trial and error, but after processing over 800 rolls, the methods have become intuitive,” Fabriccio recalls with a smile.
“The first successful E-6 development left us thrilled every time we revealed vibrant colors,” he adds, highlighting the excitement of their craft.
An important member of the team is their playful cat, Toto, assisting with quality control during the film development process.
After cleaning, film rolls are moved to a controlled environment in their bathroom for drying. Once dried, they are scanned using an advanced Nikon scanner, claimed to be the highest-resolution film scanner in Central America.
The couple is also expanding their services to El Salvador, regularly sourcing and selling film rolls.
With aspirations to revive the classical cinematography scene, the couple hopes to build partnerships with leading film companies to offer cine film development, which involves mastering the complex ECN-2 process.
“I dream of bringing the classical filmmaking artistry to Central America! We have the talent and enthusiasm to showcase to the world,” Fabriccio claims with determination, adding that Arca Film Lab has initiated a movement that they aim to elevate even further.
