Finding My Film Family at Gelatin Labs
A detailed review, and the story of how my first roll became a lifelong friendship, all made possible by my all-time favorite film Lab and their friendly staff.
When I started my film journey in January 2025, I knew absolutely nothing about analog photography. I drove to Maplewood (New Jersey) and walked into Gelatin Labs headquarters during a freezing day in January, it was the closest lab to my home, and I was looking to buy my first roll of film for my Nikon L35AF.
What I discovered there completely transformed my approach to film photography. In this post, I'll tell you my story with them, how our relationship evolved, and how I became genuine friends with their überly interesting staff.
When I got my very first roll back from them, shot on that Nikon L35AF, I was amazed by the quality and character of the images
At that cold day in January, they welcomed me in their headquarters with a lovely warmth, and took the time to explain everything I needed to know as a complete beginner: from loading the film in my camera to spending half an hour giving me tips about my future Japan trip in April.
I'm typically someone who learns everything independently and picks things up quickly, but their friendliness and expertise made me want to stay and absorb every piece of knowledge they offered.
The first person who caught my attention was Kimi, a skilled Japanese man who develops film and code, Kimi became both a mentor and a genuine friend. We went out to photowalks, he taught me how to develop film using paterson tanks, we got ramen, and I took this picture of him in Brooklyn. We got featured in a Japanese magazine called Mono about a research Kimi worked on regarding film photography and the Japanese market. His research, my photo, an impactful combo!
When I was planning my trip to Japan, he provided invaluable guidance that made the entire experience unforgettable. His technical knowledge, combined with his personal warmth and our passion for technology instantly created a strong connection, and I'm proud of being his friend.
Sooner than I expected, I was meeting other members of the team: Jordan, another incredibly knowledgeable and friendly guy working at the lab, followed by Luis, Ben, Laya, and Doug. Each person brought their own expertise and personality to every interaction, and I realized that something special was ongoing right there…
What struck me most was discovering that Gelatin Labs operates like a true family business where everyone cares about both the craft and the community they serve. They have responsibility, they are customer obsessed, and their taste level is exceptional in everything they do, from their clean, modern branding to their sophisticated systems and the way they've curated their staff.
One of the things that sets Gelatin Labs apart from other Labs is their innovative GelForm system, a collection of signature scanning styles that capture a distinct vibe and personality. Rather than getting overwhelmed by separate contrast and temperature adjustments, you simply choose the GelForm style name that resonates with your vision.
Walking into their spaces feels like entering a carefully designed creative environment where film photography is treated with the respect it deserves. Their honesty refreshes you in an industry where corners are often cut and customer service can feel impersonal. When I accidentally blanked a roll due to a mistake of mine (bad camera operation), they processed it, and after immediately recognizing what had happened, gave me credit for another development without any hassle or questions.
While their headquarters is still in Maplewood, NJ, they recently opened a store in NYC, and I was there on day 1, so happy to see them growing! The new location offers the same quality standards, making their services accessible to even more photographers in the region.
Beyond their technical services, Gelatin Labs also has built something remarkable for the community. They regularly feature artists, showcasing diverse work that inspires and educates other photographers. Their well-written blog is filled with technical insights, artist interviews, and thoughtful commentary on the state of analog photography.
They've created a comprehensive community hub where photographers can connect, share work, and learn from each other. This commitment to fostering community sets them apart from labs that simply process film and send it back to customers.
From a technical standpoint, Gelatin Labs handles any film format you can imagine, using high-end scanning equipment like the Fujifilm Frontier/Noritsu scanners, and operated by highly-qualified professionals.
That second (the professionals) part is important, even more than equipment.
For example: I recently had them develop some Kodak E100 slide film, and the scan quality was outstanding. The colors, sharpness, and overall rendering was defnitely what made me fully fall in love with film photography all over again, like, to a way I am even considering selling my digital cameras...
The scans capture every detail and nuance of the film grain, and seeing those first photographs properly developed gave me the confidence to dive deeper into color-positive film, which if you know, is something scary in terms of limited dynamic-range and highlight clipping.
You think I'm done? I'm not.
Their operational system impresses me as much as their personal touch. They maintain multiple drop-off locations throughout New Jersey and New York, offer seamless online ordering through their website, and organize thoughtful community events that bring film photographers together.
Speaking about community, I attended their recent event at the Peak Design store, where they hosted an engaging discussion about film photography that drew enthusiasts from across the region. The conversation was incredibly insightful, covering everything from technical aspects to the artistic philosophy behind shooting analog, I was there, of course, and registering everything on film.
The entire customer experience flows smoothly from start to finish, whether you're dropping off film at one of their many locations or picking up your developed images.
To conclude, in a world where photography can feel intimidating to newcomers, places like Gelatin Labs serve as essential bridges between curiosity and competence. They process your photos with exceptional care while nurturing your growth as a photographer. Every interaction feels personal, every piece of advice comes from genuine expertise, and every developed roll returns to you with the attention it deserves. I am a very happy customer, and this review was written from the bottom of my heart, without any sort of commercial intent, subsidue, or incentive.
When you find a place that combines technical excellence with genuine community building and impeccable taste in everything they do, why would you go anywhere else?
If you're in the New Jersey or New York area and shooting film, make Gelatin Labs your home base. You'll receive outstanding results while becoming part of a family that truly cares about your development as an artist.
If I'm not wrong, you can develop your first roll for free, and also get another cool voucher if you leave them a Google Maps review. I highly recommend.
What a fantastic find! Almost makes me want to move back to New Jersey.
I can’t tell if you like this lab or not…. :)
Seriously though - super nice people and I enjoyed the events they set up for the community. I’d use them if I didn’t Dev & Scan at home.