Santa Monica Camera

I came here for my passport photo. I read previous Unilocal reviews and decided to come here, even though the price was more than Costco. For 2 photos, $ 17.00, for 4 photos $ 20.00. Octavio was working and he was my passport photographer. It was done within minutes. I looked at the photo and didn’t like a stray hair, so I had another photo taken and it was perfect! Easy to park, free in the strip mall. Thank you Santa Monica Camera!
I returned with my friend the following day, and Joe, the owner was working. Joe took my friend’s photo and was very nice, efficient, pleasant, kind and patient. He was done within minutes with the passport photo. He also answered film questions and my friend who purchased 2 rolls of film. Meanwhile, there was an elderly woman in pearls waiting for her photo shoot for her bus pass. This elderly lady seemed in her own world and hard of hearing, and Joe was very patient and kind towards her. We were in and out within 10 minutes!

I needed a passport for my 11 week old son.
I’m so glad that I came here. I was assisted by Joe who was incredibly nice & patient with us.
As soon as I got there, my son started fussing as he was hungry. Joe offered me a chair & said don’t worry take you’re time. He was also very patient when taking the picture of my son. We had to do a few shots to get the right one. Thank you Joe for the amazing customer service & your patience. I didn’t realize how challenging it was to take a proper passport picture of a baby.
Also the quality of the picture & price was very good.

Very expensive. Charged $ 25 for passport photos. Could get them at a pharmacy for under $ 10.

The owner was working when I went in. I got the impression he’s the main person working there most of the time, and that’s good because he’s extremely friendly and helpful. I read other comments that said they did Canadian passport photos here. I went in, and the guy knew more than me. Passport and legal photo specifications can be tricky and very specific. I almost got passport photos instead of citizenship photos. Luckily he explained there was a difference, and I got the right ones. Also he does American and other foreign passport photos. He was very precise with following specification measurements and requirements.
So lucky I went here. I’ve heard a lot of stories about people getting their photos rejected, and I am confident I won’t be one.

I needed a US passport photo for an appointment in a few days. I wanted to get extra copies to have on hand, for any future Visa, etc. and I don’t want a photo that will be rejected. I read over reviews on Unilocal,which I found very informative in making my selection. Parking for Santa Monica Camera was convenient — I got a spot in the lot right in front of the shop. Octavio knows what he is doing. He took two excellent photos, so I have a choice for the different needs that might come up. Efficient and accommodating. Good experience, indeed.

Wow. Came in for a passport photo and was stunned at the friendly and speedy customer service. I was in and out of there In literally five minutes with a great photo. If you go anywhere else in SM you must be crazy.

Great guy… very kind, thoughtful. My daughter had film ripped in her camera, and he saved the film– and offered to not take pay until I insisted. Anyway, another argument for supporting great local businesses.

I needed a new Canadian passport photo and I found Santa Monica Camera on Unilocal.Canadian passport photo requirements are strict and different than US, so you can’t go to any old CVS for them.
When I got to the store, Joe informed me that I can’t wear a white t-​shirt for the picture due to contrast issues. He said he recently had a customer whose application was rejected because of it. Annoyed that I didn’t realize this earlier, I searched my car for something else to wear. No luck (where is that gym bag when you need it?!). Joe actually went into the back of his store and found a shirt for me to wear with the tag still on! He said he shoots his friends clothing line and had some shirts of his in the back. He saved me a trip back to the store and most importantly saved me a TON of money on what would have been a rejected application. Thank you, Joe!
Pictures turned out great and the shirt I am wearing in it is pretty cute too ;)
Above and beyond customer service and a great quality product. I will be back!

Great place for excellent quality passport photos with a true pro setup for better pictures. I got UK passport and US in the same shot. Sized perfectly for each (Not everyone knows how to do this properly)

Canadian passport pics done! Very well done, quick (10 mins). Would highly recommend!

I came for a Canadian Passport. Joe uses proper lighting and a quality camera. Do not go to Walgreens or CVS for a cheap photo, come here instead.

I was fortunate to receive a Canon EOS from a friend — albeit with a bent lens. I stopped by Santa Monica Camera to see if they could fix it (or more presumably) sell me a new lens, which I was expecting to cost a ton of money.
The two men at the counter were both SO helpful. As a novice photographer, I had no idea what I had, or needed for that matter. They immediately hooked me up with a new battery and even went so far as to fix the lens on the spot FOR FREE.
I nearly threw away a $ 200+ lens, but these guys saved me time and money. I’ll be back!

I am so pleased with the service here.
Came in yesterday for VISA photos, I was in and out in 5 minutes! Exceptional customer service, super high quality digital passport photos. Nailed my passport pic in one shot! I cannot recommend them enough!
I’m ONLY coming here in the future.
And they have free parking out front. Total win/​win. :)

This is the best camera shop in LA. Great service. Joe is amazing. I lost data on my ssd card, and they were able to recover it! They are rockstars!!!

This place is a hidden gem! Great place for quick passport photos! Excellent customer service, super fast and very professional. Thank you Joe!

We needed a passport photo and based on fab peeps on Unilocal,we went here. Thank goodness. They know what they are doing, we got a beautiful passport photo, it was quick, parking outside and super friendly service. Fantastic place!

This is the place to go for Canada passport photos (US passport ones too which they do in their sleep all day long)…
They are one of the only places in Los Angeles who understand the difference in passport photo regulations for Canada.
I have done photos here for the past fifteen years and other than letting my passport expire, never had a single issue with the photo process.
Super fast, knowledgeable and easy to have photos taken care of.
Highly recommended.

Awesome little place!!! More than u need!!!
Excellent service, super fast, very professional. I was in and out in 5 minutes with the best photo for what I needed.
They know what they’re doing!
I’ll b going back fore sure!

Anyone who gives this place a 1 star review is one of those people where nothing satisfies them and they just want to fight with people over nothing.
This place is a gem, the guy who works here is super nice and pro. Great place for quick passport photos.
Highly recommended.

I can only comment on passport photos.
My brother and I needed to get new photos for both our American and Canadian passports. 5 years ago we both went to someone else and had a HORRIBLE time. With my past experience (the guy being mean, it taking forever, him not really understanding Canadian requirements AND even having a photo sent back because it didn’t meet those requirements), I was a little nervous to get my photo taken.
I am so happy I chose Santa Monica Camera! My brother and I walked in, sat down, and had one photo taken. It was by far the easiest passport photo I have ever had and by far the best looking. The guy who took our photo was incredibly nice and knowledgeable and put my brother and I at ease.
If in 10 years, Santa Monica Camera is still doing passport photos, I would definitely come back to get my photo taken!