FOR 40 MORE YEARS
NATHAN VAZ
On Toronto’s busy Queen Street East, a small store with a bright yellow banner stands out among the high-rise buildings. Hundreds of people pass by it every day – those who choose to open its doors, do so with a certain gleam in their eyes. The store itself looks like it has been there for a while, but more importantly it looks like it belongs.
Inside, there are rows of cameras and supplies. Nikon, Canon, Leica - just to name a few, alongside camera lenses of all sizes. Tripods, studio lighting and camera bags hang on the walls in an organized manner. There is even a fridge full of photographic film for those looking for inspiration from the past. Friendly faces behind the counters wait eagerly to answer questions.
It’s a photographer’s paradise. It’s Downtown Camera.
For more than 40 years, Downtown Camera has been serving photographers in Toronto. Independently owned and operated, the store is constantly changing and catering to its customers and their needs.
A picture is much more than just a point and shoot narrative Claudia Mac, the assistant manager at Downtown Camera explains.
“It’s freezing a moment in time that you can never get back,” Mac says.
“I find our customers are passionate about photography. They’re not just looking to buy a camera - they want to find out more. They really want to capture memories as best as possible”.
Located at 55 Queen Street East in Toronto not too far from Church Street, Downtown Camera resides in what was formerly known as, Camera Alley - home to a variety of independent camera stores, but through changing times, most were not able to survive against large name corporations.
Today, Downtown Camera carries that legacy.
“It’s really special and unique,” says Jermaine Williams, a frequent customer at Downtown Camera and an aspiring photographer.
“They’ve been able to compete and survive against big name stores like Henry’s and Best Buy, without hurting their reputation as an independent store. It’s a perfect little gem in a photographer’s city and I think that’s why customers like me are so loyal,” Williams said.
Mac explains that the store is not only important to customers, but also to the city of Toronto, which is a photographer’s dream.
“When you factor in the population, tourism, and multiculturalism, there’s so many things that you want to capture in this city,” Mac says.
“I think because we’re so multicultural we have a lot of things that we can explore. Compared to other major cities, I think we’re on par”.
Bruce Bell, a Toronto historian and author of, “Toronto: A Pictorial Celebration,” agrees.
“Since photography began in the 1840s there have been pictures of Toronto and to see the physical evidence of the growth of our city is just amazing,” Bell says.
“Now photography is in everybody’s hands. At one time, it truly was in the hands of a few - one or two people were responsible for taking those first photographs of our city and now everyone seems to have a camera in their hands – but it’s what they do with them that history will tell.”
There are so many things to see and capture in Toronto and photographers are looking to find those moments. Downtown Camera has been able to see this and accommodate Toronto’s photography needs over the years.
“Although we’re a small store, we’re constantly trying to add new products. We do a lot of research ourselves to see what’s out there and new. We’re here to service our customer’s needs even if they don’t necessarily buy anything,” Mac says.
It is no secret that photography has changed over the years and so have the ways in which photographers choose to capture moments. For Torontonians, Downtown Camera has been able to adjust to those changes.
When asked about the future of Downtown Camera, Mac smiles.
“We’re going to be here till the very end. We will continue to change and improve and do as much as we can to make sure our community is strong. That’s what it comes down to – it’s a community. If you find your customers, your customers will find you, too”.
