The Story of Richard: A Tale for the Holidays
Gather 'round, photogs—it's story time!
In a season filled with joy, gratitude, and family, we can't help but reflect upon Richard Photo Lab's humble beginnings and the love and passion that has gotten us to where we are today.
Our story starts a long, long time ago...
In the 1970s, a man named Richard emigrated from China to Hollywood, California. There, he started his own photo lab, aptly named "Richard Photo Lab". He was just one man in a closet-sized “lab” space with no machines, doing everything by hand. He was a perfectionist, and it was that alone which earned him a small but super loyal customer base in the commercial photography world.
But, the tale of Richard Photo Lab as it exists today started with another man—and his car.
Brian Greenberg had been in the photo lab business for years, running a commercial, fashion oriented photo lab in Los Angeles, when word spread that Richard was looking to retire. Brian knew that the opportunity to uphold Richard's name—and his impeccable, in-demand quality of work—was not one to be ignored.
The only problem? Finding the funds to acquire the lab.
An image from the original 1965 Mustang Fastback brochure.
This is where Brian's car enters our story.
You see, this wasn't just any car. This was a jet black 1965 Mustang Fastback… That doesn't mean much if you're not a motorhead, but trust us, this car was tops! More importantly, it was a labor of love that Brian dedicated 10+ years to restoring. When he wasn't at his lab, he was pouring himself into his passion.
So, it was with a tear in his eye that Brian sold this prized possession in the hopes of building something greater. And with the funds from the sale of his car, Brian bought Richard Photo Lab and upgraded everything, from the computers to the processing equipment.
Over the years, he acquired more labs, top-notch staffers in the biz, and a loyal customer base that is as quality obsessed as Brian and his predecessor.
From his sacrifice came success that allows him to explore all his passions—when he's not busy being the leader of the lab, he's in the fastlane with his 1964 Ford Fairlane.
Vroom, vroom! It's Brian, racing his 1964 Fairlane.
The moral of our story? Our passion feeds our work, and our work feeds our passion. We are so thankful to you for letting Richard Photo Lab support and share in your work and passion!
And we hope you, too, will celebrate your own story and pursue all your passions with the joy and love of the holiday season!