Film, Family, and the American Dream: The Lab That Raised Me

The story of Kubuś Photo Service is one that perfectly encapsulates the pursuit of the American Dream.

Kubuś Photo Service has been around since 1994 and is one of the oldest film labs still around in NYC. My father, Andrzej Rędziniak, opened the lab just a year after immigrating from Poland.

The Origin of the Name

“Kubuś” is what my family calls me — a cute nickname for Jakub in Polish. When he opened the lab, he gave it that name too — a father’s quiet way of saying, “this is for you.”

Andrzej and Jakub Redziniak smiling at the camera. The man on the left has a beard, is wearing a vest, and glasses hanging around his neck. The man on the right has short dark hair, a goatee, and is wearing a brown t-shirt.

Andrzej Rędziniak and Jakub Rędziniak

My Father’s “Why”

As a Polish immigrant who came to the U.S. in the early ’90s, my father was shaped by life under communism during a time when Poland was under the iron grip of Soviet influence — a time marked by economic hardship, empty store shelves, and limited opportunity. There was no room to dream; only to survive.

Once he arrived in a country that offered the chance to build something better, he refused to waste it. He poured his blood, sweat, and tears into this business — driven by a commitment to provide for our family and to create a life filled with the possibilities he never had.

My father ran Kubuś Photo with a relentless work ethic. For nearly 30 years, he worked seven days a week, took just three days off per year, and allowed himself only one true vacation during those 3 decades. He’s the hardest working person I’ve ever known.

Carrying the Torch

In November of 2023, he passed the torch to me — his son, Jakub Rędziniak — to carry the legacy forward into a new era of film.

Today, my own "why" is rooted in that same spirit. I’m driven to honor the legacy of the lab that raised me and gave me a life I’m deeply grateful for — while continuing to move it forward with passion, purpose, and pride. As a full-time wedding and portrait photographer in NYC since 2017, I bring a deep understanding of what today’s photographers value — from quality and consistency to reliability and trust.

A man with a mustache and a young boy with a big smile, standing together at a desk in an office space, hugging and posing for the photo. The office has stacks of papers, a filing cabinet, and a blue curtain in the background.
A man with dark hair and a mustache sitting on a step outside a storefront with photographs in the window behind him. The man is wearing a black t-shirt with a colorful design, light-colored acid wash jeans, and black shoes. The storefront has a glass door and window displaying pictures of children and adults.

What’s New at Kubus Photo

When I took over in November 2023, I built on his foundation with a different approach — bringing in creativity, streamlined systems, and modern technology. Together, his grit and my vision have sparked a new chapter for Kubuś Photo Service — one rooted in legacy, but built for what’s next.

Since then, we've tackled some long-standing challenges and rolled out major upgrades:

  • Store Renovation – A much-needed refresh for the space.

  • Card Payments – No more cash-only limitations.

  • Email Delivery – Scans delivered instantly, no USB required.

  • Online Ordering + New Website – Order prints from anywhere, pick up in store.

  • Improved Scan Quality – Now up to 30.4MP in 16-bit TIFFs.

  • 120 Scanning – Now supporting medium format, not just 35mm.

  • Mail-In Developing – No matter where you are, just ship to us. We’ve got you.

  • New In-Store Photo Kiosk – Print directly from your phone, USB, or memory cards.

  • SMS Alerts – Get real-time updates as your order progresses.

  • Digital Passport & ID Photos – Perfect for online applications.

  • Expanded Product Line – Professional memory cards, fast USBs, frames, and albums.

We're hustling to keep the film community alive for creatives like yourself who believe in the soul of film and the stories it tells. Whether you're a pro photographer or just shot your first roll, when you choose us, you're not just developing film — you're joining a story three decades in the making.

Visit us in Greenpoint or mail your film from anywhere in the U.S

With love,

Kubuś Photo Service 📸

Kubus Photo Service Logo
A man with dark hair and a mustache wearing a white shirt and blue jeans standing in front of a photo store named 'Kubuś Photo Service.' There are older cars parked in front of the store, and the store has a large window with signs and posters.

April 1994:
The original Kubuś Photo Service
570 Manhattan Ave Brooklyn, NY 11222

A man with a mustache wearing a Miami Hurricanes T-shirt standing behind a glass counter at a store, with a vending machine of Kodak film and photographs of women on the wall in the background.