Where to Develop Film in Nashville in 2023.
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Looking to develop film in Nashville? You’ve come to the right place.
Whether you consider Music City your home or you’re just visiting – a beginner in analog photography or a seasoned pro – you should have no problem choosing a great new photo lab.
Check out the list of where to develop film in Nashville below – we’ve included a list of which types of film are accepted and a map of their locations.
We’ve also got some additional options outside of Nashville, but still within Tennessee. If you’re looking to develop film in Memphis, Chattanooga, or Knoxville, you can skip ahead.
Boutique Film Lab
Boutique Film Lab is an option for just about any photographer looking to develop film in Nashville.
Every type of modern film is accepted – 35mm, 120, and 4×5 film can all be processed, whether C-41 color, black and white, or even E-6. Notably, this is the only place in town to develop large format or slide film.
While Boutique is located a bit outside of Nashville (in Mt. Juliet), they’ve set up a drop box at Nashville Community Darkroom to make it easier to get your film to the lab. They also have a dropbox outside of the lab for after hours.
You’ll have your choice of three different sized scans, and they also have fresh film for sale.
Third Man Studio
Jack White is certainly determined to keep analog media formats alive and well. His Third Man imprint operates a record label with brick and mortar record stores, a plant that produces vinyl records, an indie publishing house, and now, a photo lab. Thanks, Jack.
Third Man Photo Studio offers developing for disposable cameras, 35mm, and 120 film, both C-41 color and black and white.
They offer multiple sizes of scans and also have hand developed contact sheets available. Aside from the lab services, you can also rent out a studio space for photo or video shoots.
Southbound Film Lab
Southbound Film Lab is a small operation focused solely on providing film developing in Nashville.
They accept 35mm film for processing, both C-41 color and black and white.
While Southbound used to offer more services, the operation scaled back at the end of 2022 – by limiting their offerings, they are hoping to speed up service time.
It sounds like these change aren’t intended to be permanent, so we’d double check what’s available if you end up using this lab.
Safelight Imaging
Safelight Imaging is another photo lab that offers developing for disposable cameras and film.
They accept 35mm and 120 medium format – C-41 color, B&W, and E-6 slide film can all be developed, although 35mm color is the only type developed in-house. As such, the remaining film types have a longer turnaround.
You’ll have a number of options for what size scans you get back, if you choose to get them. They also have a dropbox outside the shop for after hours.
Nashville Community Darkroom
With a growing number of nonprofit, community darkrooms around the country, the art of DIY film developing and printing is still accessible in most big cities. Nashville is no exception.
Nashville Community Darkroom is your opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, if that’s the kind of thing you’re interested in. Their facilities are equipped to let you develop and print your own film photos.
Membership is required to use the darkroom, with discounts for longer memberships. You can also check out a class or workshop if you want to just dip your toes in the developer before you commit to a membership.
Map of Film Developing in Nashville
More Places to Develop Film in Tennessee
Sure, Nashville may be the biggest city in Tennessee, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the only ones that have places to develop film.
If you’re looking for film developing in Tennessee, but you aren’t located near Nashville, check out the other cities that have options.
Developing Film in Knoxville
While Knoxville’s population may be nowhere near the size of Nashville’s, you may be surprised to find that the two cities have about the same amount of places to develop film.
Even more surprising is that Knoxville has more places to develop E-6 slide film and large format. They aren’t messing around.
If you’re looking to develop film in Knoxville, we’d start by checking out one of these labs:
Knoxville Film Lab – a small, independent operation that does film developing and not much else. A lot of their business is developing film by mail, although they have a dropbox for local customers.
Thompson Photo Products – a 4th generation, family-owned business. Among other services, they are an E-6 dip and dunk lab that also offers prints and other photo finishing.
f/32 Photo – a camera store that still lists film developing as one of their services. While they have some gear and accessories for sale, they seem to be more focused on their full-service photo lab.
For more info on each of these labs, plus the remaining places that offer film developing, just check out our full roundup below.
Developing Film in Memphis
Fortunately, you’ve still got a local option if you’re looking to develop film in Memphis. It’s great that there’s still at least one lab to process film without you (or your film) needing to leave town.
Memphis Professional Imaging
Most photographers should be able to bring their film to Memphis Professional Imaging. Aside from slide film, they process all modern formats.
That means you can develop 35mm, 120, and large format film, if it’s C-41 color or black and white.
Other than film processing, this lab offers standard photolab services like printing, scanning, and other photofinishing.
Developing Film in Chattanooga
We’re glad that Chattanooga also has a place to develop film. And the only lab in town fortunately has something for just about every film photographer.
Safelight District
The fine folks at Safelight District are really dedicated to keeping analog photography alive and well in Chattanooga. They offer film developing services as well as a darkroom available for their members to rent.
If you’d rather someone else do the developing for you, Safelight develops disposable cameras, 35mm, and medium format film. Both C-41 color and B&W are processed on site.
Otherwise, members have access to the darkroom for DIY film developing and printing, although they also offer drop-in sessions for those who don’t want to commit to a membership.
Anywhere Else?
Have we missed anywhere to develop film in Nashville? What about other cities in Tennessee? Let us know if you have any more suggestions or a favorite lab on the list!