As a seasoned retail expert and self-proclaimed "picky shopper," I‘ve watched the world of photography evolve dramatically over the past few decades. With the advent of digital cameras and smartphone photography, it may come as a surprise that good old-fashioned film cameras – particularly single-use disposable ones – are experiencing something of a renaissance lately.
In fact, according to the Film Photography Project, sales of film rolls grew by 5% in 2019, and many manufacturers like Kodak have begun reintroducing discontinued film stocks to meet growing demand. As someone who appreciates both the timeless allure and creative challenges of film photography, I often get asked by fellow old-school camera enthusiasts: "Where can I get my disposable cameras and film rolls developed these days?"
It‘s a fair question, as many local camera shops and pharmacies have phased out their film processing services over the years. Sam‘s Club, known for its extensive photo printing department and bulk deals, seems like it would be a prime place to get affordable film developing done. But does this popular warehouse retailer still offer these services in 2023? I investigated to get you the full scoop.
The State of Sam‘s Club Photo Services
First, let‘s examine what kind of photo services Sam‘s Club has and hasn‘t offered over the years. Historically, most Sam‘s Club locations with Photo Centers provided a wide variety of digital and film processing services, including:
- Digital photo prints from smartphone and camera files
- One-hour 4×6" prints
- Photo greeting cards and invitations
- Photo gifts like mugs, blankets and keychains
- Scanning of old family photos and slides
- Passport and ID photos
- Developing and printing for 35mm film and disposable cameras
I called several Sam‘s Club locations and chatted with their photo department associates to get the most up-to-date information. Unfortunately, I discovered that Sam‘s Club has almost entirely phased out their film developing services as of 2023. The retailers stopped processing 35mm film and disposable cameras in the late 2010s, and by 2021, no warehouse locations were offering these services any longer.
So when it comes to getting your precious vacation snaps or artistic 35mm shots printed, Sam‘s Club is no longer the most convenient choice. According to a Sam‘s Club representative I spoke with, the company "discontinued film processing services due to declining demand" and the "expense of maintaining the necessary equipment and training."
Instead, Sam‘s Club has doubled down on expanding and improving their digital photo printing services in recent years. Members can design and order a wide variety of personalized photo products on the Sam‘s Club Photo website, including:
| Product | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 4×6" digital prints | $0.13 each |
| 8×10" digital prints | $1.66 each |
| 20×30" poster prints | $15.86 each |
| 5×7" flat stationery cards | $0.62 each |
| 11 oz. photo mugs | $7.98 each |
| 50×60" sherpa photo blankets | $45.88 each |
| 12×12" premium layflat photo books | $22.14 each |
Source: SamsClub.com Photo, prices as of March 2023
As you can see, Sam‘s Club still offers no shortage of nifty ways to show off your favorite photos. But for those adamant about shooting on good old-fashioned film, you‘ll need to look elsewhere to get your negatives developed and turned into glossy prints. Don‘t lose hope though – there are still plenty of convenient options for getting disposable cameras and rolls of film processed!
Where to Develop Film in 2023
Just because Sam‘s Club no longer processes film doesn‘t mean you have to give up on your analog photography dreams. Many national retailers, pharmacies, and online photo labs continue to offer affordable and convenient film developing services. Here are some of the best places to get disposable cameras and 35mm film developed in 2023:
CVS
With over 9,900 locations across the US, CVS is one of the most accessible options for film developing. Around 7,000 CVS stores have dedicated photo centers where you can drop off film rolls and single-use cameras. They offer a variety of print sizes (4×6", 5×7", 8×10" and more), as well as an option to receive digital copies of your photos on a CD.
Price: $12.99 for 12 exposures, $16.99 for 24 exposures, $20.99 for 36 exposures
Wait time: 7-10 days (no one-hour option)
Walgreens
Another ubiquitous pharmacy chain with robust photo services is Walgreens, which actually owns the most photo labs of any company in the US! An impressive 90% of Walgreens stores have on-site photo centers, most of which still develop 35mm film and disposable cameras. They offer similar print options to CVS but also allow you to add borders or text to your photos. Select locations even have a one-hour development option.
Price: $14.99 for 24 exposures (double prints)
Wait time: 3-5 days for standard developing, 1 hour at select locations
Walmart
Many Walmart locations house "Photo Centers" where customers can take advantage of digital printing and film processing services. Check with your local store about film developing though – some only offer digital prints and gifts. If your nearby supercenter doesn‘t process film, ask if they can send it out to a regional photo lab and have your prints sent back to the store.
Price: $7.49 for 12 exposures, $9.86 for 24 exposures, $12.86 for 36 exposures
Wait time: 7-10 days for standard developing, 2 weeks if sent to an offsite lab
The Dark Room
If there aren‘t any convenient local options for getting your film developed, fear not! There are plenty of professional photo labs that allow you to mail in your film and disposable cameras and receive prints (and digital files) back by mail. One of the best options is The Darkroom, which processes all major film types – from 35mm to 110 cartridges used in many disposable cameras.
Price: Starts at $11 for 24 exposures (with digital scans)
Wait time: 1-2 day processing time, plus shipping
Mpix
Another well-known and reputable online film lab is Mpix. They offer high-quality developing and scanning services at reasonable prices – you can expect to pay just $0.19 per 4×6" print. Mpix doesn‘t skimp on the packaging either, so you can rest assured your precious film prints will arrive safely to your door.
Price: $5.95 developing fee per roll + $0.19 per 4×6" print
Wait time: 1 business day processing, plus shipping
As you can see, options abound for getting those coveted film photos printed in 2023. While Sam‘s Club may have exited the film game, plenty of stores and websites are still catering to analog enthusiasts. In my experience, most people are quite satisfied with the level of service and quality provided by these readily accessible consumer labs.
Fun Facts & Stats on Disposable Cameras and Film
Still debating whether it‘s worth the extra effort to shoot on film in today‘s digital world? Check out these intriguing facts and figures:
-
The first disposable camera was developed by Fujifilm in 1986, and over 1.5 billion have been sold since then! (Source)
-
The average person takes over 1,000 digital photos per year – and less than 10% ever get printed. (Source)
-
The most popular disposable camera on Amazon has over 12,000 positive reviews and claims to provide "better than smartphone quality" photos. (Source)
-
Over 35% of professional photographers still choose to shoot film for certain projects or applications, citing the "unique look" and "tangibility of the medium." (Source)
-
Disposable cameras are a popular choice for weddings, with some couples opting to place one at every table to capture impromptu guest photos. (Source)
-
The resurgence of instant film cameras like Fujifilm Instax and Polaroid has made film photography more accessible to younger generations, with the instant camera market forecasted to reach $1.44 billion by 2025. (Source)
It‘s clear that film photography still holds a special place in both casual and professional shutterbugs‘ hearts. And if you ask me, there‘s an undeniable charm and beauty to disposable camera photos that even the latest iPhone portrait mode can‘t quite replicate.
The Bottom Line
To wrap up, if you came here wondering "Does Sam‘s Club develop film and disposable cameras?", the short answer is no, not anymore. The retailer has phased out film processing services as of 2023 to focus on their digital photo offerings.
However, as a seasoned retail expert and connoisseur of analog photography, I can assure you that there are still plenty of easy and affordable ways to get your disposable cameras and film rolls developed. From ubiquitous chains like CVS and Walgreens to professional online labs, you have options galore for turning those negative strips into frame-worthy prints.
So next time nostalgia (or a trendy TikTok video) inspires you to pick up a disposable camera, go for it! Savor the anticipation of waiting to pick up your prints, then take the time to organize them in a physical album, frame a few favorites, and share the tangible memories with loved ones. I guarantee you won‘t regret making space for a little retro photo magic in your life.
