For 25 years, Camera West has assisted lovers of photography in telling their stories with the finest photographic equipment. It has been our joy and privilege to work alongside passionate photographers like you. What began as a small storefront in Monterey Bay has grown into a group of stores, friendships, and a community built one relationship at a time.
Sean and Diana Cranor founded Camera West in 2000 with a simple vision: create a place where photographers could find not only the best photographic tools, but also the expertise, inspiration, and community that bring those tools to life. That vision carried us from Monterey to Rancho Mirage, to Walnut Creek, and in 2015, to the opening of our San Francisco Flagship Leica Store.
For us, photography is about people, place, and story. Each Camera West location is designed as a destination, a place to connect with other photographers, discover the world’s finest photographic tools. We believe our role in providing tools that both empower and inspire your photography is an important responsibility, and one we take to heart.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are excited to announce that we will be taking Camera West coast to coast, bringing our premier photo retail experience to more photographers in two of America’s most iconic cities: San Francisco and New York City.
SoHo, New York City
In October 2025, Camera West will open a premier retail space in the heart of New York's most distinctive shopping district, SoHo. The store will feature boutiques from Leica, Hasselblad, Fujifilm, and Panasonic, alongside a curated CW Watch Shop experience. SoHo is a neighborhood rich in culture, creativity, and visual energy, an ideal setting for us to continue our mission of equipping and inspiring photographers.
Union Square, San Francisco
In January 2026, we will open a new multi-floor Camera West flagship store on Maiden Lane, in historic Union Square, one of San Francisco’s most vibrant shopping districts.
The move into Union Square allows us to solidify how we serve the Bay Area. Our new flagship will provide a more enhanced venue to present the finest modern and vintage photographic equipment, host workshops and community photo walks, and create unique in-store experiences in partnership with our favorite brands.
The Path Forward
Adapting to our ever-changing marketplace has prompted us to relocate from our beloved Walnut Creek address. During those 17 years, Walnut Creek provided us an excellent opportunity for growth and to meet some truly passionate and loyal photography enthusiasts, while hosting a series of photographic trips, workshops and seminars and become a part of the East Bay community. We are hoping to host you in our new location and continue to share our passion for photography and storytelling.
To everyone who has supported us over the past two and a half decades: from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You! Camera West would be nothing without these incredible communities and the friends we’ve made along the way. We look forward to the next 25 years and to continuing this journey with you!
Warm Regards,
Your Friends at Camera West
