In New York City's Chinatown, a small, cash-only film shop called Eliz Digital is the go-to destination for passport photos - particularly among the city's analog set. The shop, which has been around for 35 years, has become a quiet favorite among photographers and non-photographers alike.
Passport photographer Chunika Kesh is "pretty down to business" and straightforward with her customers, who are often drawn in by the shop's eclectic atmosphere and old-school charm. Her setup, like the store itself, is modest: a small white chair against a plain white wall, shot through with an older DSLR camera and softening Styrofoam boards.
What sets Kesh apart from other passport photographers is her ability to capture people in their best light - often without even asking them to pose. Her approach is deliberate, yet effortless, and she seems to have a deep understanding of what makes someone look good in front of the lens.
For Emma Hartsfield, who recently got her portrait taken at Eliz Digital, Kesh's skill was exactly that: effortless. "She's really perfected the craft," Hartsfield said. "You can tell she is very deliberate and knows what she's doing but makes it look effortless." Hartsfield had been out of photos for years, but there was something special about walking into a random shop in Chinatown and getting a photograph made.
The internet agrees that Eliz Digital is the real deal, with many taking to social media to share their own portraits taken at the shop. "Eliz digital is the f---ing truth," one user wrote on Twitter. The viral post of passport photographer Bolton Brown's photo also brought fresh interest to the shop, but Kesh remained unfazed.
Despite her success, Kesh doesn't consider herself a professional photographer - just someone who has a good talent for taking portraits of people. She attributes her success to the simplicity of her approach: "I think people like to go to organic stuff... they don’t want [me] to make them look too pretty or whatever, just as it is, more real."
The shop's owner notes that Eliz Digital has recently been attracting a more diverse clientele, and Kesh attributes this to the resurgence of film photography. As the pandemic brought people together through film and social media, Eliz Digital found itself at the forefront of a new movement - one that celebrates physical life and human connection in a digital age.
As for Kesh, she continues to line up each shot the same way she always has: with a steady hand, a white wall, and a flash of light. And as the internet continues to sing her praises, it's clear that Eliz Digital will remain a beacon of old-school charm in the heart of New York City's Chinatown.
Passport photographer Chunika Kesh is "pretty down to business" and straightforward with her customers, who are often drawn in by the shop's eclectic atmosphere and old-school charm. Her setup, like the store itself, is modest: a small white chair against a plain white wall, shot through with an older DSLR camera and softening Styrofoam boards.
What sets Kesh apart from other passport photographers is her ability to capture people in their best light - often without even asking them to pose. Her approach is deliberate, yet effortless, and she seems to have a deep understanding of what makes someone look good in front of the lens.
For Emma Hartsfield, who recently got her portrait taken at Eliz Digital, Kesh's skill was exactly that: effortless. "She's really perfected the craft," Hartsfield said. "You can tell she is very deliberate and knows what she's doing but makes it look effortless." Hartsfield had been out of photos for years, but there was something special about walking into a random shop in Chinatown and getting a photograph made.
The internet agrees that Eliz Digital is the real deal, with many taking to social media to share their own portraits taken at the shop. "Eliz digital is the f---ing truth," one user wrote on Twitter. The viral post of passport photographer Bolton Brown's photo also brought fresh interest to the shop, but Kesh remained unfazed.
Despite her success, Kesh doesn't consider herself a professional photographer - just someone who has a good talent for taking portraits of people. She attributes her success to the simplicity of her approach: "I think people like to go to organic stuff... they don’t want [me] to make them look too pretty or whatever, just as it is, more real."
The shop's owner notes that Eliz Digital has recently been attracting a more diverse clientele, and Kesh attributes this to the resurgence of film photography. As the pandemic brought people together through film and social media, Eliz Digital found itself at the forefront of a new movement - one that celebrates physical life and human connection in a digital age.
As for Kesh, she continues to line up each shot the same way she always has: with a steady hand, a white wall, and a flash of light. And as the internet continues to sing her praises, it's clear that Eliz Digital will remain a beacon of old-school charm in the heart of New York City's Chinatown.
That Eliz Digital shop is like a breath of fresh air in today's digital crazy world. I mean, who needs filters and edits when you can get a real, honest-to-goodness photo that captures your soul? 
Chunika Kesh's approach is so refreshing - she's not trying to be some fancy photographer, just genuine and true to her craft. It's like going back in time, you know? 
And I love how the shop's owner says it's attracting a more diverse clientele because of film photography coming back around. That's amazing! 
In today's world where everyone's so busy staring at their screens, Eliz Digital is a reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful 
.
and Eliz Digital is like a breath of fresh air amidst all the digital chaos we're living in. I mean, think about it - with everyone glued to their screens 24/7, it's refreshing to see someone who still values the art of taking physical photos. And Kesh's approach is so on point 
. The fact that film photography is making a comeback is also super cool, it's like people are rediscovering the joy of physical experiences 
. Anyway, I think Eliz Digital is the real deal 
and Kesh is a total rockstar for her talent and approach.
! The shop's simplicity and humility are what set Kesh apart from other photographers - she's all about capturing real moments, not posed perfection 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that she doesn't consider herself a pro? Like, who needs credentials when you've got talent and a good eye for beauty? 
It's so refreshing to see people gravitating towards something more tactile and human, rather than just relying on digital filters. And let's be real, who wants to look like they're made of pixels when you can look like a warm, fuzzy, real person? 
, Eliz Digital is defo a hidden gem in Chinatown! Chunika Kesh's vibe is so on point - she's got this effortless cool that makes you feel like a million bucks in front of the camera 
. But what I'm not entirely sold on is how much of an Instagram influencer she's become... don't get me wrong, her work is fire 
. Just maybe don't expect too much polish or perfection - that's what makes her shots so charmingly real