Company history

Based just outside of Brisbane in Mt Gravatt Central, Queensland, Photo Continental offers more than 30,000 photographic and imaging products, equipment and accessories. We strive to offer the widest range of choice and truly great pricing across the entire range.

From humble beginnings more than 55 years ago, the company has grown to become one of the largest privately owned retail Photographic & Imaging stores in Australia.

In an era where almost anyone can claim to be a “specialist,” customers rely on Photo Continental and it’s long standing reputation as genuine experts in photographic retail.

We love photography!

Photo Continental
1480 Logan Road
Mt Gravatt Central
QLD 4122

1938: Where it all began: Mr Tadrowski Snr outside his photographic shop in Poznan, Poland. After World War 2 ravaged his home country, he made a living photographing tourists in Strassburg, France.

1950: Emigrating to Australia, Mr Tadrowski set up business in Brisbane, taking photographs at schools and local functions. During this period he had the foresight to realise that in the future thousands of people would want to capture their precious memories on their own camera.

1951: He opened Photo Continental's first Australian Store..

1960: Photo Continental opened its first city store, in Adelaide St, Brisbane. It soon developed a busy trade in still cameras, movie cameras and projectors

1970: Two stores were operating, one in Queen St, in the heart of the Brisbane CBD, opposite historic Customs House, and the other at Wellington Rd,East Brisbane.

1981: Upon his father's death, Vit Tadrowski took over the management of the business. He was well qualified: like his father, he loved photography, and he had been working in the family business from the age of 15.

1987: PC moved into a giant ultramodern display warehouse at MacGregor. Under Vit's careful guidance and with the support of his wife Karen and a dedicated staff, the business had moved into the rapidly growing video and fully-automatic camera markets with resounding success.

1997: After 10 years of outstanding growth, the business again moved to it's current premises at Mt Gravatt central. Technology continued to change as the nineties saw the beginning of the digital age Photo Continental adapted to embrace the new technology. It was now the largest Photo/Imaging store in the Southern Hemisphere.

2001: Sadly, Vit's mother Zofia, the last direct link to the firm's beginnings in war torn Europe passed away.

2001: Photo Continental celebrated its 50th year in business.

2003: PC wins Photo/Imaging dealer of the year. The award is based on store presentation, interaction with suppliers, outstanding customer service and is a first for any Queensland Photographic equipment store.

2004: Managing director Vit Tadrowski passed away suddenly at his home in Brisbane on the 8th, April. He was extremely well known and respected for his guidance and vision of Photo Continental and for his enthusiastic support of the Variety Club of Queensland. His wife continues her role as director and maintains the close working relationship with the management team ensuring the ongoing growth and success of the family business.

2005: In May this year, Photo Continental exhibited at 'Photo Imaging World 2005' at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Previously an industry show, 2005 is the first time it is open to the general public ans attracts record numbers. It was refreshing to see so many regular Photo Continental customers and new faces and have the opportunity to speak about new and exciting technologies within our industry.

2006: PC celebrates it's 55th birthday.

2007: With new challenges ahead, Photo Continental continued to stay one step ahead with renovations to improve our look, range of products and ensure that we continue to maintain a high level of customer service. We continue to grow our scrapbooking, beading, frames and album selections to meet the increasing demands. Our new website launched just prior to Christmas.

2008 : Set to be an exciting year in our history, 2008 will see some major instore refurbishments as well as extended ranges of stock and the introduction of online shopping.