Supporting the Mexican analog film community to authentically express their unique creativity – one photographer at a time

I'm Deval 'Pino' Shah from McAllen, Texas, USA. I deliver everything related to analog film photography to your doorstep anywhere in Mexico.

Starting your own Analog Film Photography Business

Whether you are looking to purchase for yourself or want to start a business, I am here to assist you. Starting your own business is one of the most liberating feelings in life. I started my business while still working for someone else. I started my business part-time and would work on it after my job hours. Slowly, as the business grew, it provided the financial stability to do it full-time and quit my job. That was in 1996. I have not regretted that decision. It has been a blessing.

Mexico presents an excellent opportunity for the analog film photography business if you commit to doing three things:

1. Invest in the right product mix. Separate what you like or love from products that sell. I can guide you on which products to invest in based on my knowledge of what sells well.
2. Build a professional online presence. Today (Feb 23, 2025), that would be Instagram. Enable your Instagram account to sell products. Market your online presence through engaging content.
3. Provide excellent Customer service.

Other things to consider:

1. Keep your prices reasonable. Focus on higher volume and not maximum profit. The higher the volume—meaning more purchases are being made by buyers—the more photographers will learn about your business, and it will grow. It is what I call the Walmart Philosophy: low prices, high volume.
2. Ship or deliver the orders as quickly and efficiently as possible.
3. Request reviews of your shop or an order delivered. Word of mouth is often considered the most effective form of advertising.
4. Budget a portion of your investment, initially 5-10%, for running paid ads. Gone are the days when organic traffic would bring in business. With growing competition, you have to pay to play.
5. You will always face competition from Amazon, Mercado Libre, and other sellers. Make a decision not to compete on price. If a buyer is looking for the lowest prices and doesn't value your service, knowledge, and expertise, then that buyer is not the right fit for you, and you are not the right seller for them. Please encourage them to buy from those online places. There are those buyers who will become your Customers, and over time, your business will grow by focusing on them and attracting more like them.
6. Establish a minimum stock or inventory level for each product; when you reach that level, order more. Don't run out.

Background and My Goals

The goal I have been working on since early 2023 is to visit all 32 states of Mexico, making analog film photography products available to people who want to express their unique creativity authentically. I don't like Mexico to be an afterthought. I want the analog film community in Mexico to have access to new and innovative products as soon as they become available globally at a reasonable cost.

I also work with manufacturers that offer special discounts to educational institutions.

1. There are 70 varieties of 35mm and 120 medium-format roll films. Arista.edu, Bergger, CineStill, Ferrania, FOMAPAN, Flic Film, Fujifilm, Harman Photo, Ilford, JCH, Kodak, Lomography, ORWO, Rollei, Reflx Lab, Santa Color, and more.
   
   
2. Film developing supplies, including developing tanks, reels, chemicals, etc. Adox, Arista Premium, ARS-Imago, Bellini, Bergger, Bostick & Sullivan, CineStill, EcoPro, Flic Film, Formulary, Fujifilm, Ilford, JOBO, Kodak, LegacyPro, Paterson, Rollei, Unicolor, Zone Imaging, and more.
   
   
3. 35mm and 120 Medium-Format Film Cameras. Everything from disposable film cameras to Kodak Reto 35mm half-frame cameras and fully serviced vintage cameras comes with a 30-day warranty. Canon, Carl Zeiss, Hasselblad, Holga, Kodak Reto, Mamiya, Olympus, Pentax, Rolleicord, Rolleiflex, Widelux, Yashica, and more.
   
   
4. Excellent camera bags (cases, shoulder bags, messengers) and straps made by Long Weekend Gear.

The advantages of buying from me are:

1. Your purchases are delivered safely to your door in Mexico. Let's say you've purchased wholesale film photography products from the US. In the US, the time, effort, and uncertainty of getting products in good condition to ship to Mexico are well known. If you have a friend or family member bring it, there's the added uncertainty that the items will be opened at the border or subjected to X-ray screening. With me, your products arrive safe and sound at your doorstep anywhere in Mexico.
   
   
2. I provide a reliable source of supply. If you are starting a film photography business, it is essential to have a supplier who can consistently provide you with products.
   
   
3. You have access to someone knowledgeable about all aspects of analog film photography, from equipment to film to chemistry. If I don't know the answer, I know who to call to find it. If you want the lowest prices or free shipping, consider purchasing from BH Photo or another website that ships to Mexico. If you value buying from someone with whom you can communicate via Instagram or WhatsApp and who can guide you and answer your questions, continue reading this page.
   
   
4. I will add you to my special WhatsApp group for wholesale buyers. In this group, I share news about upcoming products, product updates, industry news, special discounted prices, and the availability of hard-to-find products.
   
   
5. I am a one-stop source for all photography products. You have one knowledgeable person to deal with, and they send you all the products in one shipment. There is no need to deal with multiple companies.
   
   
6. I can often source newly released or hard-to-find products at reasonable prices, allowing my buyers to be among the first in Mexico to receive such products.

The disadvantages of buying from me are:

1. If your only consideration is price, I am not the right seller.
   
   
2. If you buy products occasionally, Amazon Mexico or Mercado Libre may be better for you. Check their prices and the film stores in Mexico that buy from me.

RETAIL BUYERS - HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER

Place the order on the website and pay using the corresponding option. The shipping, border tax, and border crossing fee may be added to your invoice depending on your purchase total. If you don't see an item you need, please get in touch with me on Instagram at @artbypino or send me a WhatsApp message at +1 (956) 492-7140. Include a link from FreeStyle Photo and Imaging, BH Photo Video, or any other website for a faster response.

For information on how the product ships to you, scroll towards the end of the page for details.

STEPS TO PLACE A WHOLESALE ORDER

If you are looking for a discount for buying larger quantities, visit the Discount Catalog. There is no minimum order value ($). However, there is a minimum order quantity (MOQ) for each line item to qualify for the price shown. Additionally, for some items, a higher discount may be available when you order the MOQ, as indicated in the column marked VOL. 

For example, you may notice that HP5+ has three prices displayed. One is the retail price which you order from the website, then a WHO(lesale) price based on a MOQ of 20 (this number changes so, always check the catalog for the most current MOQ) which is lower than the retail price, and finally the VOL(ume) price which is based on a MOQ of 100 rolls (subject to change, check current catalog) and is the lowest per unit cost.

Please get in touch with me via WhatsApp and provide:

• a list of items you want to purchase with desired quantities
• your full name, business name (if you have one)
• shipping address
• email, and phone number

The following three charges will apply to your wholesale order

Border Crossing Fee

A box of approximately 14x14x14 inches, 14 kgs, $50
For 14-20 kgs, the fee will be $75
If your order reaches 20 kgs, a new or 2nd box will be created

Economy Shipping and Insurance costs

$65 per box (14 kgs)
$75 (20 kgs)

A Border Tax that is based on declared value or the value assessed by the Mexican Border Authorities

19% of the declared value based on the invoice provided to customs officials at the border crossing

Based on the past three years of shipping products to Mexico, the above charges are cost-effective when your minimum order is about $1,500. This allows you to spread the cost over a good number of products. 

Example: Your minimum order is $1,500.

Add a Border Crossing Fee of $50

Add Shipping and Insurance, $65

Add a Border Tax of 19% that is based on the declared value or the value assessed by the Mexican Customs

MINIMUM TOTAL $1,500 + 50 + 65 = $1,615 + 19% 306.85 = USD 1,921.85

You cannot combine prices from the website with those in the catalog. Additionally, special offers that include shipping, as advertised on Instagram or other online platforms, cannot be combined with wholesale orders; however, they may be combined with website orders.

If you wish to pay via PayPal, an additional 6% fee plus a 10% currency exchange fee (for a total of 16% extra) will be applied. A further 5% processing fee will apply if you prefer to pay through Shopify. No additional fees will apply if you pay via CLABE.

Payment plans or financing is available through Mercado Pago and the charges will be added to your total order value.

HOW DOES SHIPPING WORK? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE YOUR ORDER?

This shipping process applies to ALL orders. Please read it carefully, whether you are ordering a single roll of film or a wholesale shipment.

Standard shipping for retail orders varies from 5 to 14 working days. It may take up to 4 weeks for first-time wholesale orders (orders over $1,500) to be processed and shipped once payment is received. Subsequent orders are quicker.

STEPS

1. Order placed
2. Payment received
3. Items ordered from the supplier if not in stock
4. Most shipments are made via the Estafeta service. An appropriate carrier will be selected if you are located in a remote area where Estafeta does not deliver. The fastest and most expensive service is DHL Express. If you need non-liquid chemistry products shipped via DHL, request a quote for it
   The item (s) are packed, the shipping label is generated, and a notification may be sent to your email address. See #6 below
5. The package is delivered to a border crossing agent who may take 1-3 working days to cross the package to the Mexican side. He declares the package to the Mexican border authorities and pays the required border tax. It is essential to note that we have encountered inconsistencies at the border, and we have no control over how the Mexican border authorities handle a package or decide to assess a higher tax or request a cash bribe. These things can cause delays and increase the cost of your order, which you will be responsible for
6. The border crossing agent drops the package at the shipping company or Pak Mail. The tracking information becomes active 24 hours after the package is dropped off (Monday through Thursday). If the package is dropped off on Friday or Saturday, it will not become active until Tuesday after 12.01 am

Deval 'Pino' Shah

McAllen, Texas

+1 (956) 492-7140 WhatsApp

https://www.Instagram.com/artbypino