I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Steve Elkins, Executive Vice President of Bedford Camera & Video, a long-time customer of Imaging Spectrum.
With 6 locations, each complemented with a full-service photo lab, Bedford’s has developed a long tradition of going big & bold, yet with planned growth. Since 1974, Bedford Camera has a well deserved reputation of efficiency & respect within the photo specialty community.
-Mac Hughes
What's the one product that's become your secret weapon against the big-box competition? I see that you’re a fan of our Pakor Pro Galley Wrap Bars for your canvas prints.
"We like to think our fine art canvas makes us unique vs. a typical online operation. We offer online ordering as well at BedfordPix.com, but our fine art canvas uses the thicker bars, a glossy finish, and a dust cover. We sell quite a bit of those."
Despite Bedford’s star-studded customer review ratings, dynamic events calendar, inventory & service offerings, they, like so many in their industry, are all too familiar with shrinking profit margins and new sources of competition.
Although Steve expressed his frustrations with economic hurdles, he and his team have remained committed to the core values that have made Bedford’s exemplary in their field.
What's the biggest challenge your team has tackled recently, and how did you approach it?
“Tariff price increases. We tackled it by increasing the promotion & production of the most profitable items, such as canvas prints, fine art prints, metal prints, and accessories.”
With 6 locations in 4 states, with your most recent location in Overland Park, Kansas, you seem to be enjoying a wave of forward momentum. Where’s the un-tapped opportunity you're racing to capture in 2026?
“There’s growth to be seen in new markets, especially in lab services! That is wide open!”
Who's running the show across your locations?
Oklahoma City, OK: Christian Bruggeman
Tulsa, OK: Ethan Hudson
Little Rock, AR: Amy Grammer
Fayetteville, AR: Will Porter
Springfield, MO: Autumn Girgin
Overland Park, KS: Jasmine Rodriguez
