Photographer Aila thrifted a disposable camera in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and made a nostalgic discovery. After finding the 2006 Kodak disposable camera, she decided to develop the film herself after seeing all the pictures had already been taken.
“I was nervous that the photos wouldn’t come out because the film was so expired,” she wrote in the video. “Negatives were very dark but definitely have photos on them!”
The film was kept in good condition. Aila scanned and shared the photographs, hoping the people in them would come across her video.
“I really hope someone who sees this recognizes the people in these photos!” she captioned her post.
The developed film revealed a family celebrating a 21st birthday. Family members are candidly smiling, posing for the camera and enjoying the party. In one of the photographs, someone cuts a frosted birthday cake.
@fairyonfilm developing someone’s long lost dispoable camera 🙂 i rly hope someone who sees this recognizes the people in these photos! i apologize for the poor development & scanning, i was in a rush! #disposablecamera #filmphotography #expiredfilm
“This is like a joyous little time capsule,” a TikTok user commented.
“They’d be turning 37 this year,” another one noted. “I hope you find them!”
“I keep thinking about the kids, they’re probably about my age now,” Aila replied.
After being viewed over 4.6 million times, the video successfully reunited the family with the lost film.
“That’s my friend’s family!!!” one user commented.
“Yes! I appreciate these so much, super freaking happy about these,” the friend, who goes by the username of @mochaa_moneyy, replied.
She shared her TikTok video showing her family members in 2006 and today.
“Thank you for everything,” she wrote to Aila.
Disposable cameras are the latest early 2000s trend to make a comeback. Photo editing apps such as Huji Cam and Tezza are popular for featuring filters that give photographs their instantly recognizable vintage feel. For Gen Z, the resurgence of disposable cameras makes sense. Capturing candid moments with friends and family was a massive part of growing up in the early 2000s.
