What began as a makeshift darkroom in a small storage space grew into Bay Photo Lab - a premiere professional photo printing lab built on craftsmanship, innovation, and care for the final presentation. Fifty years later, that same commitment to quality prints and trusted service continues to define everything we do.
Follow along and stay tuned here for upcoming event news, giveaways and more, as we celebrate 50!
Image by Kim Feast, Australia
Thank you to all those who attended the Sold Out Event!
The Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition remains open at Alameda Point through May 17, 2026, featuring a wide selection of Bay Photo prints.
At the heart of Bay Photo is a team whose dedication and craftsmanship prove we’ve always been built by the best.
Over the decades, I’ve seen firsthand how Bay Photo stays true to its mission of helping photographers succeed, while always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in print. Celebrating 50 years really speaks to that balance of purpose and innovation.
Bay Photo Lab is a growing, cutting-edge company with a 50 year history of innovative photographic printing a photo finishing services. I am honored to be a part of and to be contributing to the successful transition of such a small local company to what it is today. I have loved working with so many wonderful and talented colleagues.
Since I started at Bay Photo, we've experienced remarkable growth. Even so, the company culture and our passion for what we do have remained constant. Everyone here loves their work and enjoys collaborating. It's a truly wonderful team to be a part of.
Being with one of the first labs to transform from optical/film development to digital has been one of my favorite memories of my 25 years with Bay Photo.
I wanted to share how much I enjoy working with the many creative individuals here at Bay Photo. It is truly a pleasure to collaborate with such a talented team. I am also incredibly proud to be a part of the Albums Department. Having been here for almost 18 years, it has been rewarding to witness our growth and the progress we have made together over nearly two decades.
Each day brings new challenges, and I’m fortunate to tackle them alongside an incredible team. By the end of the day, I feel a real sense of accomplishment, especially when I see the inspiring images our customers share. I’m proud of what I’ve helped build over the past 25 years, and nothing feels better than making everyone who walks through our doors feel genuinely welcome.
I truly enjoy dedicating my energy to turning our customers' art and meaningful moments into lasting visual pieces.
What I’ve enjoyed the most is the manufacturing of the different products we offer. It’s truly satisfying to build and see a finished Book or Album knowing that it will be a cherished memory for life.
I've worked at Bay Photo for 13 years and appreciate the variety and beauty of the photos our customers entrust to us. I love using my skills and experience to help clients realize their images full potential, be that through retouching and color correction or by suggesting a different paper type or display style. Probably most important to me is that Bay Photo has always put customers and employees first.
Helping Bay Photo grow into the industry leader it is today has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my time here. I appreciate the chance to work alongside such a fantastic team, and I'm grateful for the lifelong friendships I've made along the way.
Over the decades, I’ve seen firsthand how Bay Photo stays true to its mission of helping photographers succeed, while always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in print. Celebrating 50 years really speaks to that balance of purpose and innovation.
Bay Photo Lab is a growing, cutting-edge company with a 50 year history of innovative photographic printing a photo finishing services. I am honored to be a part of and to be contributing to the successful transition of such a small local company to what it is today. I have loved working with so many wonderful and talented colleagues.
Since I started at Bay Photo, we've experienced remarkable growth. Even so, the company culture and our passion for what we do have remained constant. Everyone here loves their work and enjoys collaborating. It's a truly wonderful team to be a part of.
Being with one of the first labs to transform from optical/film development to digital has been one of my favorite memories of my 25 years with Bay Photo.
I wanted to share how much I enjoy working with the many creative individuals here at Bay Photo. It is truly a pleasure to collaborate with such a talented team. I am also incredibly proud to be a part of the Albums Department. Having been here for almost 18 years, it has been rewarding to witness our growth and the progress we have made together over nearly two decades.
Each day brings new challenges, and I’m fortunate to tackle them alongside an incredible team. By the end of the day, I feel a real sense of accomplishment, especially when I see the inspiring images our customers share. I’m proud of what I’ve helped build over the past 25 years, and nothing feels better than making everyone who walks through our doors feel genuinely welcome.
I truly enjoy dedicating my energy to turning our customers' art and meaningful moments into lasting visual pieces.
What I’ve enjoyed the most is the manufacturing of the different products we offer. It’s truly satisfying to build and see a finished Book or Album knowing that it will be a cherished memory for life.
I've worked at Bay Photo for 13 years and appreciate the variety and beauty of the photos our customers entrust to us. I love using my skills and experience to help clients realize their images full potential, be that through retouching and color correction or by suggesting a different paper type or display style. Probably most important to me is that Bay Photo has always put customers and employees first.
Helping Bay Photo grow into the industry leader it is today has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my time here. I appreciate the chance to work alongside such a fantastic team, and I'm grateful for the lifelong friendships I've made along the way.
Over the decades, I’ve seen firsthand how Bay Photo stays true to its mission of helping photographers succeed, while always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in print. Celebrating 50 years really speaks to that balance of purpose and innovation.
Bay Photo Lab is a growing, cutting-edge company with a 50 year history of innovative photographic printing a photo finishing services. I am honored to be a part of and to be contributing to the successful transition of such a small local company to what it is today. I have loved working with so many wonderful and talented colleagues.
Since I started at Bay Photo, we've experienced remarkable growth. Even so, the company culture and our passion for what we do have remained constant. Everyone here loves their work and enjoys collaborating. It's a truly wonderful team to be a part of.
Being with one of the first labs to transform from optical/film development to digital has been one of my favorite memories of my 25 years with Bay Photo.
I wanted to share how much I enjoy working with the many creative individuals here at Bay Photo. It is truly a pleasure to collaborate with such a talented team. I am also incredibly proud to be a part of the Albums Department. Having been here for almost 18 years, it has been rewarding to witness our growth and the progress we have made together over nearly two decades.
Each day brings new challenges, and I’m fortunate to tackle them alongside an incredible team. By the end of the day, I feel a real sense of accomplishment, especially when I see the inspiring images our customers share. I’m proud of what I’ve helped build over the past 25 years, and nothing feels better than making everyone who walks through our doors feel genuinely welcome.
I truly enjoy dedicating my energy to turning our customers' art and meaningful moments into lasting visual pieces.
What I’ve enjoyed the most is the manufacturing of the different products we offer. It’s truly satisfying to build and see a finished Book or Album knowing that it will be a cherished memory for life.
I've worked at Bay Photo for 13 years and appreciate the variety and beauty of the photos our customers entrust to us. I love using my skills and experience to help clients realize their images full potential, be that through retouching and color correction or by suggesting a different paper type or display style. Probably most important to me is that Bay Photo has always put customers and employees first.
Helping Bay Photo grow into the industry leader it is today has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my time here. I appreciate the chance to work alongside such a fantastic team, and I'm grateful for the lifelong friendships I've made along the way.
A curated glimpse into the moments, milestones, and craftsmanship
that have shaped Bay Photo through the years.
Bay Photo Founder, Larry Abitbol returned to Santa Cruz after 3 months of traveling while shooting photography.
The original Bay Photo logo
Larry found a storage space and decided to build a darkroom inside using 2x2's and black visqueen.
Larry’s passion led him to pursue the processing side of photography.
“The Red Building” was where Bay offered Film Processing, Prints, Canvas, Retouching (by hand), Custom BW and Type R.
Time for a logo update
TeamBay, circa 1988
Representing Bay Photo!
Larry and team had converted an old gas station in Salinas, CA into one of our storefronts.
Another decade, another logo
Our “Eastside Store” in Santa Cruz was one of 5 locations we grew into throughout the Monterey Bay Area.
By 1990 we were scanning and printing digitally on a limited basis until about 1999 when digital printing accelerated rapidly.
1 Hour Photo goes digital, and Bay is the first lab to launch ROES with Kodak for “online” ordering.
Our 2,000 sq ft “Park Ave Store” became our main lab, and first of its kind as a fully digital operation!
A cover story worth a thousand words!
Not many labs survived the digital revolution. We were fortunate to have experienced growth through it all.
Bay Photo continued to grow through the digital era, into a larger facility just blocks from West Cliff Dr. in Santa Cruz.
Our gorgeous gallery-style trade show exhibits have always drawn a crowd!
Showcasing and getting our work in front of photographers to experience top notch quality firsthand.
We moved into a larger (114,000 sq ft) facility in Scotts Valley (former Seagate HQ), which allowed for more expansion and efficiency.
During the pandemic, Bay Photo manufactured Personal Protective Equipment to help navigate Covid-19.
Our commercial business expands, fulfilling largescale projects like the Harvey Milk Terminal exhibit at SFO Airport.
With new partnerships and expanded capabilities, Bay Photo launches a Midwest facility to support future growth.
We remain true to our mission - providing Photographers with the finest possible prints and most reliable service available.
Continuously raising the bar for photographers since day one.
