Reviving the Old School: St. Augustine Photographers Unite in a Film Renaissance

On a December evening, the courtyard at Spinster Abbott’s Cafe and Bodega in St. Augustine buzzed with the sounds of clicking shutters, winding film, and the delighted exclamations of attendees captivated by the works of local photographers. It was a remarkable turnout for the inaugural gathering organized by the city’s newly-formed Analog Club.

In a time when almost everyone carries a professional-grade digital camera and photo editing app in their pocket, the Analog Club honors the art of film photography, a format experiencing a national revival — even among photographers who were not yet alive when dropping off film at Eckerd was a routine activity.

The club was envisioned by three millennial photographers from St. Augustine: Shannon Fitzpatrick, Justin Evans, and Zach Sawyer.

Sawyer indicates that the objective is to cultivate a community and support one another.

“We don’t require numerous photographers competing against each other in town,” Sawyer explains. “Once we’re all landing $10,000 jobs, that’s when we can contend for positions. But for now, we need to collaborate to reach that level.”

The club originated from the social media network of local film photography aficionados. Their first meeting in early December attracted over 20 individuals, and the Dec. 13 “pop-up” at Spinster Abbott’s included 15 film photographers from Northeast Florida, all of whom made at least one sale during the event.

“Every individual earned some money,” Sawyer remarked.

Slow art in a rapid world

Jacksonville photographer and film technician Tanner Pletzke showcased his black-and-white prints for sale.

Pletzke expresses enjoyment in capturing images with his phone but feels that the lack of consideration in the photo-taking process seems “off.”

Pletzke enjoys the gradual and deliberate nature of the film process. He mentions that even finding a place to keep the resulting prints adds to the enjoyment, especially in this age of cloud storage and exclusive digital platforms that complicate the clarity of what you genuinely possess.

“Though it occupies space, I desire to have that photo album filled with my works, allowing me to revisit and rediscover something, all while being surprised,”Pletzke mentioned.

Being aware of the remaining shots on a roll of film is an entirely different task compared to rapidly sending a multitude of images into the seemingly boundless expanse of the cloud.

“If I’m capturing 36 (images),” says Shannon Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the Analog Club. “I must be quite considerate and intentional about each of those 36 images I capture.”

Fitzpatrick, in her early 30s, grew up during a time when digital cameras were widely popular. These days, she primarily captures her images using film.

“When my grandparents passed away around three years ago, my family discovered their old film camera, and they decided to give it to me as I was the only photographer among us,” shares Fitzpatrick, who first developed an interest in photography during her high school years. “In their memory, I thought, ‘I’m going to learn how to operate this thing.’”

The challenging learning curve and limited availability can deter those curious about the analog medium. Last year, Pentax emerged as the first significant camera manufacturer to reintroduce a new film camera since the early 2000s, with a price point of $500. More affordable vintage film cameras, commonly found in thrift shops and on online second-hand marketplaces, often lack user manuals.

This need for guidance is part of the reason the Analog Club was established: to assist photographers in learning, practicing, and enhancing their skills through activities like photo scavenger hunts.

From Darkrooms to Digital

22-year-old St. Augustine photographer Lais Guimarães asserts that film evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. Guimarães seeks out subjects and warm tones that conjure memories from her childhood in Brazil and later in St. Augustine.

However, not all photographers share the same nostalgic attachment to film. Walter Coker received his first camera in the 1970s and possesses decades of experience capturing images on film both on St. Augustine’s shores and throughout the Jacksonville region. Many of the surf images he showcases tohis Instagram profile features his vintage film photographs. 

“Back during the time I was capturing images and mastering photography, each time we pressed the shutter, it cost you money,” Coker shares.

Coker was employed as a staff photographer for Jacksonville’s alternative weekly publication Folio Weekly when digital cameras first entered the marketplace. He recalls the initial moment he witnessed someone produce an 8×10 print within 5 minutes of shooting.

“I was astonished,” Coker expresses to Jacksonville Today. “It was incredible, especially for someone who spent so many years inhaling darkroom chemicals.”

With film, even the most straightforward assignment required navigating the lengthy process of entering the dark room, developing the film, printing a test image to confirm the equipment settings were correct, and ultimately printing all necessary images.

“Experiencing that entire shift was quite remarkable,” he reminisces. “It was a significant moment.”

However, he does not believe that film should be considered outdated.

“I genuinely appreciate that young individuals are engaging with it now,” Coker remarks. “Honestly, it’s the optimal way to learn.”

With the Analog Club operational, Coker is eager to participate in an event and pass on some of his knowledge to the younger crowd.

“They might already be skilled photographers, but, similar to any pursuit, it’s beneficial to understand your history and origins,” Coker notes.

For up-and-coming photographers, Analog Club co-founder Sawyer believes that St. Augustine is arguably one of the best locations to start.

“The nature of the people, the tourists, the architecture — it adds a unique charm,” Sawyer states. “There’s always something occurring that differs from the previous day.”

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Interested in getting involved? The Analog Club shares event updates on their Instagram account: @analogclubsta.