My father, Harry D. Porter, was a pilot in World War II. A true war hero, his B-26 Martin Marauder was shot down over Amiens, France in May of 1944 while softening enemy positions in preparation for D-Day. After a short time with the French Underground, he was captured and he resided in a German POW camp until the end of the war. It is with a grateful heart that I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only my father, but every man and woman in the past, present and future who serves our great country in any branch of the military service.

What does this have to do with Arlington Camera? Well, even before the war, Harry was interested photography. After the war, he enrolled in UCLA. His favorite class was cinematography. Harry was later employed in a Los Angeles camera store several years before becoming a Sales Representative for Interstate Photo Supply. In 1975, I also began my photographic career working for Interstate Photo. With my father’s and my combined experience in the field of photographic sales and equipment, we felt the next logical step was to acquire our own camera business.

In 1983, together my dad and I invested in an existing camera store, called Craig’s Cameras, that was located in Arlington’s Town North Shopping Center. Harry provided the financial support and my contribution was four years of shadowing the owner, Mr. Craig Brackeen, while learning all the workings of the business. The name was officially changed to “Arlington Camera” on April 1, 1987. My mother, Virginia Porter, was a very important part of this family venture. As a retired Neiman–Marcus retail employee, she effortlessly ran the film counter and was referred to as “the glue that held us all together”. Soon after the purchase, my brother, Jim Porter, also joined our family business. Mae Pitchford and Gil Kannenberg were our first employees outside of the Porter family.

During the last twenty years, Arlington Camera has relocated within the original shopping center and has expanded twice. We presently have 13 highly trained and extremely knowledgeable employees who, if not actual family members, are certainly an important part of the Arlington Camera Family.

On behalf of my family, and the entire Arlington Camera Staff, we would like to warmly welcome you to become one of our customers. Please give us the opportunity to demonstrate to you what we have learned through the years in regard to meeting your photographic needs and offering you the very best in customer service and satisfaction.

Sincerely,
Bill Porter
President and CEO of Arlington Camera, Inc.

In Memoriam
Harry D. Porter 1922 – 2001
Virginia F. Porter 1923 – 2002
Mae Pitchford 1928 – 1998
Euless Craig Brackeen 1939-2000