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How to Look for a Professional Photo Lab in North Virginia

Professional photo labs help turn a photographer's vision into reality. In addition to digital image processing and printing, many labs still cater to photographers shooting 35mm, medium format and large format film. Services offered by professional labs include, but are not limited to, negative and print restoration, color conversion and enlargements. While the one-hour photo labs at pharmacies and grocery stores provide satisfactory results, important projects are better left to the professionals. If you're new to Northern Virginia, locating the right lab is simple.

Instructions

- 1
  Consult with fellow photographers in the community. Most amateur and semi-pro photographers will be able to personally refer you to a professional lab. They may also be able to give you cost estimates, depending on the services you require.
- 2
  Visit a local camera store or repair shop. Photography related businesses tend to be in close contact with professional labs, especially in smaller towns. Store owners, sales staff or repair technicians will be happy to refer to you to a local professional lab.
- 3
  Look through the camera and/or photo section of a Northern Virginia business listing or telephone directory. Major labs, along with their addresses and contact information, will be listed. Also check out local classified ads and listings sites.
- 4
  Search an online directory of professional photo labs, such as PhotoMFA. These sites store all addresses and contact information for professional labs nationwide.
- 5
  Perform an online search using the terms "North Virginia photo lab." In addition to one-hour labs, your search will return a number of independent or professional businesses. If you're willing to travel to a lab, search "Virginia photo lab" instead.

Photography