“1, 2, 3…. Say Cheese!” A bright flash goes off as you squeeze your friend in tight for a hug and capture the perfect candid moment.
Three weeks go by… and you just got a call that your roll of film has been developed and is ready for pickup! You and your friends race to the shop excited to see how this weekend’s photos turned out. Scrolling through the 36 moments captured by a $12 disposable Kodak camera, you laugh at the results. And from then on, to friends and guest-appearances on the camera get sent those photos, and then onto Instagram…and the VSCO… and eventually there you are front and center on your moms Facebook page.
Disposable film cameras have had quite the upbringing in the last few years, acting as one of the most prominent trends of ourtime. The best film cameras are the perfect way to ride the wave of analogue popularity in 2022 and beyond.Inspired by the pictures that were captured by generations before us, teenagers and young people today craze over film cameras and the vibes the images encapsulate.
Most commonly known brands include Kodak or Fujifilm, and are sold at most big-name retail stores like Target, Walmart, and even Urban Outfitters. Film cameras appeared to the average consumer because they were relatively cheap while also being simple. Selling as low as $12, these cameras are easy to buy, easy (and fun) to use, and effortless on the users end when it comes to actually developing and obtaining the photos- usually a photo shop will develop your photos and return them via CD or over the phone on an application similar to Dropbox.
19 year old Paige Scherer loves to carry around her disposable camera on the weekends. She says, “Not only do I love disposables for the surprise element- you never know what you’re gonna get! But I love how it allows me to detach from my iPhone and be more present with my friends and capture more natural and organic moments.”
In the last few years, we’ve seen numerous trends come back into the public-eye whether it be fashion, beauty, food or media trends. Take for example the 90’s “blowout” look that has taken over the hair industry, or the increase in women sporting a pair of low waisted jeans which hadn’t been worn since the early 2000’s. Even better, any sort of flare jeans or little silk scarves… hello!! Those were things our parents would wear at our age- let’s give credit where credit is due.
That being said, the rise of film photography in today’s day and age has already led to handheld digital cameras from the early 2000’s to make a come-up as well. It seems to be that we take what once was such a norm, like how iPhones are to us, and essentially “make them cool” again, or romanticize the aesthetic it comes with.
The question is then raised… what other trends will “blast from the past” and make themselves relevant in our lives? Will AirPods be cool again 30 years down the road? Will Instagram be the new MySpace- a platform people my age never used? Only time will tell- and GenZee has the power to influence so.
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