Roberts Tenass: Analog photography renaissance brings back 90s atmosphere

Roberts Tenass, manager of Baltic Photo Service (BFS) and son of owner and photographer Andris Tenass, has been working at the company since 2003. In an interview with Delfi, he shares how the photography industry has evolved and the role analog photography plays today.

Tenass recalls a phenomenon of the 1990s: people would come to pick up their film and gather in the store to look at the prints, laughing and reliving the moments together. This sense of community, he believes, has partially returned with the renaissance of analog photography.

BFS started in the mid-1990s, when magazines and newspapers still widely used film. The company often worked until late at night, serving professional photographers who referred clients to BFS, building a strong reputation.

Tenass describes his role as a 'half-conductor' – he is a manager, loader, and cleaner all in one. He notes that in small businesses, you have to do everything, even pumping water out of a flooded basement. However, this diversity makes the work interesting.

When asked if he photographs himself, Tenass admits it is only a hobby. His father is a professional photographer who attracted many clients. Currently, analog photography is experiencing a revival, and BFS continues to serve both professionals and enthusiasts.