If you love photography -- you know, eat, sleep and drink this stuff. Our downtown store is the place to be. We are here to serve you -- which means answering a barge-load of questions.
Our family of staff is here for the long haul. We want you to come in, browse, talk, ask questions, feel the equipment balanced in your hands, see the difference of our lab results. We want you to get to know us so that we might get to know you.
Sure you can buy equipment and services other places, but we don't think anyone can match our service and commitment to you -- the serious amateur photographer.
So visit us just south of Kiowa on Tejon. Smack in the middle of downtown Colorado Springs!
Not only has our downtown store been around for 60+ years, we're still at the same location: 30 North Tejon St., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. And our phone number is (719) 636-1696.
"In and out," may best describe us. Sure we want you to come in and get to know us and we love to sit down and discuss photography with our customers. But we realize your lifestyle. You are busy! What are you doing on the north side of town if you're not?
But busy doesn't mean you want to be treated impersonally. In fact, because of our longstanding reputation in the community we have so many repeat customers that it is not uncommon to have someone walk in, throw us a role of film and walk out. Knowing full well we'll process their memories the way they want them developed. Of course, we don't recommend this procedure to our brand-new customers.
Sure it's a rush world that wants rush processing. And we aim to give that to you but with a difference. Quality. We want those precious memories and cherished adventures on film to be viewed as you remembered them in all their glory.
All of our stores carry the same attention to quality and service, but if you would like to visit our North store we are located in the Fuller Center near Car Toys at 7529 North Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920. Our phone number is (719) 598-6412.
Where did Shewmaker's get its name and reputation?
In 1937, an accomplished black and white photographer, Hugh Shewmaker started his own store after working in another local photography store. With this experience and his knowledge of photography, Hugh understood the needs of both the serious amateur and professional photographer. He stocked his store with the highest-quality cameras and supplies available. A time-honored tradition still proudly adhered to today.
Who owns Shewmaker's now?
Since Hugh's start, Shewmaker's has changed hands a couple times. Its present owners are Lanonah and Jared Krumanocker. Lanonah and Jared bought Shewmaker's in 1997. At the time, Shewmaker's consisted of the original, Downtown location, and the Westside store. With Jared's passion for photography and Lanonah's strong business sense, they are successfully continuing a tradition of photographic excellence. With their continued focus on growth and excellence, in 1998 Shewmaker's expanded to a third location on North Academy Boulevard.
Whether you want archival results of your family stored for the next generation or whether you are ready to trade up or jump into the digital realm, we are here to help.
Why use us for your photography needs?
We are driven to serve you. To provide you the customer with the service you need. Our staff are experts in photography and have a passion for what they do. They are always available to provide you advice and answer any of your questions.
Jobs
We are constantly on the lookout for dynamic and passionate individuals striving to work in the camera and photofinishing market.
Please forward your candidacy to the following address:
Shewmaker's Camera is very proud of our staff. Not only are the staff members experts in the field of photography, optical & digital technology, they have a passion for it too. Please take a moment to meet our talented people, and feel free to contact them with questions and comments.
Judson Crossland
I have been in the field of photography for over 11 years. My experience comes from many books and hands on working in many different environments. My father gave me my first SLR, a Nikon N90s, in the winter of 1994 and from that point on I was hooked. I began to explore the areas of photography that intrigued me the most in the outdoors. In the spring of 1995 my best friend asked me to photograph his wedding, from that point I was hooked as a professional. Shooting portraits and weddings for the next decade would bring me to become the person I have become and want to be. A professional photographer.
I have always loved to "tech talk" about photography and photos in general. My family has an "always a student" background and through out my life I have been in a very positively charged family environment. Couple this with my deep passion for photography meant it would only make sense to share my knowledge with others and teach what I know. Shewmakers has given me the chance to realize a dream to teach others with that passion that burns within me.
I shoot it all... 35mm, digital and even a large format 4X5 view camera. I even have a full size darkroom in my house. I'm always happy to share my experiences with people and would love a chance to talk with you. On Sundays and Wednesdays, you can find me at any number of my favorite spots for shooting, Garden of the Gods, Green Mountain Falls, or 11 Mile Canyon. If you see a tall skinny guy with a large format camera and 2-3 other cameras stop by and say hi! Chances are it's me!
I’ve been working with cameras and photography since I was a kid. The process of capturing an image on film has always seemed to me more like great magic than photography. I’ve taught photography to junior highs and adults and worked for the North Carolina Governor’s Office as a staff writer/photographer and those experiences only stoked my interest for the art all the more.
Today, I enjoy doing portraits, wildlife, and capturing snow scenes only reachable with snowshoes. But my real love is photographing bugs. I find them almost as enigmatic as photography itself. Granted, crawling around in the dirt, chasing squirmy, elusive creatures can be rather daunting, the value they add as a tasty addition to my diet makes it all worthwhile.
An artist is almost always involved with photography in some way, at least for making records of their work, if not using photographs directly as a work in itself. This has certainly been true for me; in fact, I find that I am most interested in the photograph AFTER it has been printed: especially the ways it can be digitally changed or enhanced.
Much of the same expertise necessary to produce my artwork (gallery pieces, graphics, illustrations), I use when digitally restoring photographs for Shewmaker's customers. The photographs I restore are especially interesting to me for their sense of history and importance to the friends or family who bring them to me.
From enhancing the tender tones of an antique photograph, to inserting the one missing family member into a group photo -- I give all the photos I work on an extra "something" beyond simple correction.
I've been an artist since the age of two. One medium leads to another, which leads to a new passion. Photography has always been one of my life-long passions. My father's Yashica twin lens was my first experience with a medium format camera. The negative size and square shape intrigued me so me so much, it's hard to pick up a regular 35mm. I don't mind lugging around the heavy equipment and prefer my Mamiya 6x7 to my Canon 30D.
Recently graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a Bachelors of Fine Art in photography and metals, I'm an all around renaissance chick and have done everything from glass blowing to watercolors. I love the darkroom and having full control over my prints. Without a color darkroom and printer, Photoshop is my new best friend. Portraiture is my favorite, and my style is photojournalistic. This past year I traveled around the globe, photographing the relief effort for Katrina, the free health clinic and Hospice care in Cleveland. Efforts to help the children trapped in the sex trade in Thailand was a life shaping experience.
Teaching children photography is one of the most amazing experiences; they see the world with fresh eyes, and I'm always impressed by their work. I enjoy talking "shop" with other photographers and exchanging ideas. Yes I know, artist are a little wacky, but hey, we bring excitement to the world!