Lumentation offers quality photo developing and printing services via an online marketplace. ~Photos by Jeffrey Shwom.

By Jeffrey Shwom

At the corner of Lowell Street and Highland Avenue, Lumentation is one of those walk-by-and-look-twice businesses. A few folks still think it is Somerville Quick Stop that closed a few years back. “People ask do you sell chips, cigarettes, earbuds? Convenience store stuff,” remarked manager Imaya Jeffries. When you walk inside, however, the first thing you’ll notice is that the fridges are filled with much different items … film.

Per their website, “Lumentation is a team of passionate photographers and filmmakers dedicated to providing fast, affordable, and reliable photo developing and printing services using an online marketplace. Lumentation is focused on making film photography fun and accessible to everyone – from the professional to the first-time photographer.” They do this with classes, film development and scanning, and most importantly, through their commitment to growing and learning together with their customers.

Imaya was our cheerful tour guide, who expressed gratitude that all of the Lumentation staff, their students, and the customers in general come to photography in different ways. She explained Lumentation champions the idea that “anyone can get into it.” She explained that, “we are in a pretty unique position to see into their lives, before they do. The customers learn something new every time they come here. It is interesting to see our community graduate. If they started at disposable cameras, they want to dip their toe into their own camera and see them build their curiosity and skills. I have had people who I remember helping when I first started. Now, they are taking different photos.”

Imaya started working here after she graduated college in 2023. “I myself had no experience in film photography until I got my summer disposable cameras developed here after I graduated from college. In the email where they shared the scans, they had (information about the Camera Basics) class.” That was her introduction to Jim DanDee, the owner. Jim has taught at Emerson and Boston University and has a movie making background. Javier Molina, Lab and Media Specialist, got interested in photography and film photography because of his older brother as a child. “He is from Florida. He has a different upbringing and perspective that he brings to the team.”

Besides the film fridge, a front desk for ordering and other film supplies like cameras and accessories, the current Your Moments projection mapping exhibit on display is the embodiment of Lumentation’s approach of bringing the community into the fold. “This (exhibit) is based on the artists themselves choosing. We use a projection mapping tool to be able to broadcast the photos that we have developed here.” Your Moments represents the “highs to the lows” of 2024, including a still of the final moment of a New Year’s Eve party and two landscape images of a salt marsh in Yarmouth, MA.

One of the goals of the owner is to keep analog film going. Imaya told us, “The fridges and this projection mapping exhibit speaks to Jim’s goal of keeping this old photography practice alive in the modern era and merging new modern tools with analog, old way of taking photos. He is not anti-technology but how do we find a balance between the two to showcase film in new and exciting ways?”

I asked what the most interesting format that they are developing currently is. “We started doing 4×5 developing. One photo, one shot on one sheet (the size of maybe six 35 mm exposures). All the more detail. All the more you can blow this up (make it bigger without losing detail).”

Lumentation offers two classes. Camera Basics covers everything to know about operating a manual camera. “How to understand exposure. To get to the right film choices. It is a real comprehensive class.” The second, B&W (Black and White) night is a hand developing class. “You bring a black and white roll that you shot. It is circle time. We develop it all together. Jim also goes through the process of home development yourself.”

Visit www.lumentation.com or the store at 219 Highland Avenue.

Note: this interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity.