My first photographic adventure began with a Kodak 110 film camera, a simple device that opened my eyes to the wonders of capturing the world around me. I still remember the excitement of taking it to Yellowstone with my grandparents, taking pictures of geysers and bison like I was a national geographic photographer and then eagerly awaiting the developed photos from the local Walmart – only to wait for what felt like eons to get my prints. Spoiler alert: they were worth the wait!

In high school, my trusty Pentax IQZoom EZY was my constant companion: football games, school trips, you name it. It never left my side – until my buddy Jeff decided it needed to take a swim in the ocean while we were on our senior trip to Hawaii. Farewell, faithful friend. (I did end up buying a new one recently to give to my daughter.)

College was all about photography – until it wasn't. Picture this: senior year, an impromptu gathering in the auditorium called by the Dean, only to be told our professors were history, and so was the program. The gossip? Darkroom shenanigans. But really, what was happening?

Fast forward to the mid-2000s, I, like many, was lured into the digital era, letting my romance with film fade. But editing thousands of digital photos? Not my cup of tea. Cue the burnout.

Enter the Retro Film Project. My mission? To rekindle my love for photography and create a haven for film enthusiasts. It's more than just nostalgia; it's about preserving the art. I've experimented with over 75 film types and counting. Who knew “old-school” could be this fun?

-Tyler Cahoon