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What does it take for a family photo lab to thrive across three generations and multiple technology upheavals? We sit down with David Buchbinder of Alkit to trace an unvarnished journey from New York City retail counters to a lean, volume-first lab that ships in three days. Buchbinder walks us through the hard calls: expanding into Kodak-branded stores, then cutting overhead and rebuilding around photo printing workflow

Prints are steady, but specialty items—buttons, magnets, acrylic blocks, framed and mounted prints, canvas wraps—drive bigger carts when studios use modern platforms to reach parents by text and email. Buchbinder explains why Alkit refused to build proprietary software and instead partnered with GotPhoto, PhotoDay, and Captura, keeping focus on color, quality, and fulfillment while ensuring one-stop support. That choice unlocked direct-to-home ordering, faster cycles, and less friction for photographers juggling schools, sports, dance, cheer, and preschool.

Buchbinder also shares a pragmatic take on technology. The lab remains a silver-halide shop on Noritsu lines for quality and throughput, yet stands ready to pivot when the time is right. Meanwhile, the promise stays the same: everything produced in-house in Long Island and shipped within three days, even in peak season.

Photo Imaging CONNECT
The Photo Imaging CONNECT conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, N

Mediaclip
Mediaclip strives to continuously enhance the user experience while dramatically increasing revenue.

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Independent Photo Imagers
IPI is a member + trade association and a cooperative buying group in the photo + print industry.

Photo Imaging CONNECT
The Photo Imaging CONNECT conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, N

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Hosted and produced by Gary Pageau
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