f/32 Photo started in 2010 when Wilson Reynolds bought the assets of Express Photo (a former Knoxville photo lab) and handed it over to April and said "here...build and run this".  April had worked for Express Photo for about a year and half while she was building her photography business and fell in love with printing.  That was not the plan, but it ended up causing her to introduce Wilson to the owners of Express Photo and in turn, them approaching him to buy the assets of the business when they decided to close.

From that point, we started out in 1200 square feet of what had only been a lab and a small studio.  It was five women in a really small space, but we revamped the structure of the print lab, changed the entire marketing strategy, started the only local equipment rental program, continued with seasonal studio sessions, and very slowly started adding retail to our mix.

Our goal from the beginning was to be a resource for and a part of the local photographic and artistic community.   What that looks like continually changes and we do our best to adapt to those changes.  We've moved a few times in the past 10 years, but never very far (usually around the corner or across the street!).  In 2013, we moved into 4000 square feet and frankly felt like squatters for a long time because we weren't used to having that much space and still didn't have much retail.  In 2016 we moved again, but we downsized to 2400 square feet this time.  As crazy as that sounds, it was what we needed at that time (even though we had virtually outgrown the space as soon as we moved in).  In January 2016, Wilson Reynolds passed away and left f/32 Photo to April.  Most of our customers didn't really know that anything had happened because Wilson was never in the store and even though legally, we started a new business (for lots of reasons that are boring and you really don't want to know...), we didn't have to change our name.  At the same time, our lease was up and the building we were in was actually for sale.  So, we had to move and do so soon (because we didn't want to buy that building...another long story.). We had the opportunity to move just across the parking lot to a building with much better visibility and it was the perfect fit for us to grow and heal.  It was at this point that f/32 Photo really started to grow.  I can't really point to one reason, but it was working.  I still can't exactly tell you why.  I do know that we have been continually blessed and provided for.  Our last move took place in October 2019 (by the way, it is CRAZY to move a photo business in the 4th quarter of the year...I DO NOT recommend it!) when we relocated across the street from our previous location to a freestanding 6000 square feet building.  We hope to be here for a really long time (one because we are tired of moving, but two because it is a fabulous space very well-suited for what we do!).  The story of how we came to be in our current location is definitely one of God opening doors and giving us flashing neon signs as to what He wanted us to do!

The best part of f/32 Photo are the staff and our customers.  They are an incredible, diverse, creative, passionate, generous, knowledgable, group of people.  They are here because they love what they do, it's not just a job.  The other magic ingredient to f/32 Photo is our amazing community and group of customers.  We love getting to know and work with everyone and become a support for their businesses and hobbies.  f/32 Photo is locally owned (April was actually born and raised in Knoxville) and we currently only have the one location.  Our best marketing is word of mouth from our current customers, so we thank all of you who have shared the love and hope that you continue to do so!