Fairfield's Hidden Jem, Unique Photo

(Fairfield, NJ) - Unique Photo, New Jersey’s largest camera store, strives to offer more than just a shopping experience. Its motto, “Create Better Pictures,” is not just a slogan, but a promise the Fairfield, N.J. company plans to uphold. The multi-generational organization offers a host of tools for photographers from beginners to professionals, including the largest photographic education program in the country. For over 65 years, Unique Photo has outfitted photographers around the globe with the latest in photography equipment.

Established in 1947 by Bernard and Harriet Sweetwood, the small camera supply outlet in Brooklyn quickly grew to become one of the largest privately owned photographic distributors in the world. After four expansions in thirty years, sons Jonathan and Matthew Sweetwood  opened the Unique Photo Superstore in order to keep up with the growing demands. Continuing the legacy as the third generation, Alexander Sweetwood has since joined the company to provide a fresh outlook. When asked about customer satisfaction Alexander explains, “At all times at least one of the three owners are on site to remedy any issue should it arise. We make sure each customer is handled with immediate care and to their utmost satisfaction.”

Unique Photo remains one of the leading distributors in the nation, carrying over 20,000 products that specialize in today’s top camera and video equipment. The expert staff on the showroom floor take pride in top-notch customer service, referencing years of experience as both photography students and working professional photographers. Its 50,000 square foot facility also hosts New Jersey’s largest equipment rental program, a professional photo lab, and even an Internet Café and coffee bar.

Today, Unique Photo combines its showroom with a successful online retailing business through www.UniquePhoto.com. According to Alexander, the website is designed to be much more than just an online version of the Unique Photo superstore. “Customers can schedule classes, find cameras, lenses and accessories, check inventories, create wishlists and interact with Unique Photo sales staff”. Within the coming weeks, the website will contain a rental reservation system in which users can reserve equipment in advance to be picked up in the store or shipped to their door. This “try before you buy” program allows customers to rent cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, and more at daily and weekend rates. Similarly, the Unique Photo Lab provides a convenient delivery method that allows customers to send photos to be printed directly from their home computer. They offer high-quality prints in both standard and large-format sizes, as well as film developing, digital archiving, and even personalized photo gifts.

Unique-University was established to help customers of all skill levels master their photographic equipment through daily classes and seminars. “I personally believe only 5% of untrained [Digital SLR Camera] users know how to use even half of the features that their new camera offers”, says Alexander. “Most features of the camera revolve around an in-depth knowledge of photography, and we saw a lack of detailed, easily-accessible photographic information in the market.” Unique-University’s most popular class, “Understanding your DSLR” has evolved into four distinct sections. The University has over 1,000 attendees each month, and 85% of students take more than one class. It doesn’t end with simple tutorials; some of the nation’s top photographers often teach these classes, including numerous photo trips a month to several local attractions like the Lakota Wolf Preserve and Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA.

In June of this year, Unique Photo will be hosting its 2nd-Annual Unique Photo Expo, www.uniquephotoexpo.com, featuring over fifty of the most prominent vendors in the photo industry. Additionally, there will be seminars and free demonstrations given by professionals in the field, including many of the Unique-University instructors. Last year, the Expo proved to be a massive success, with more than 3,000 people attending over the three-day event.  The Patch will provide onsite live updates of the Expo that runs June 7th, 8th and 9th.

Continuing a proud history of pairing top photographic equipment with outstanding customer service, Unique Photo strives to exceed the demands of photographers by combining competitive prices, educational services, community outreach and beyond. The primary goal of Unique photo is to help its customers create better pictures.  

Unique Photo is located at 123 Route 46 in Fairfield, NJ, 7 days a week and online www.uniquephoto.com 24 hours a day.  Any questions regarding any of the services or offerings from Unique Photo please contact customerservice@uniquephoto.com.  Alexander Sweetwood is available at 973-377-5555, or at alexander@uniquephoto.com.

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