Six rolls of film sat forgotten in a drawer for years, holding memories from a trip to Lebanon that Mohammad Chanaa had almost lost forever. When he finally rediscovered them, the rolls were more than just undeveloped images. They were a reminder of a creative passion he had put on hold while life moved in other directions.
For years, Mohammad Chanaa worked in healthcare, balancing a demanding job with volunteer work and a packed schedule. It was steady, purposeful work, and he took pride in helping people. But outside the clinical environment, he loved tinkering with gadgets. As a teen, he learned to shoot film long before most of his friends even knew what a light meter was.
“I have always been someone who loves to take things apart just to see how they work, and more importantly, figure out how to put them back together better than before,” Mohammad Chanaa shared with a smile. “That curiosity never really went away. I just had to make space for it again.”
Those six forgotten rolls became a turning point in his young life.
What started as a simple effort to recover old photos has grown into MoCollects, a business that brings vintage cameras back to life. Chanaa restores old equipment, rescues expired film, and ensures every item he sells works perfectly. His days are spent hunting for rare treasures at flea markets, fixing shutters that haven’t clicked in decades, and helping other vendors sell gear that might otherwise gather dust in storage.
“I realized my interest and knowledge in cameras could create a successful niche for myself that set me apart from other vendors,” he said. “It is not just about selling cameras. It is about preserving history and the trust that comes with them.”
At flea markets across Virginia, Mohammad Chanaa is known for a refreshingly open approach to business. While many sellers focus on protecting their sales, he focuses on earning trust. He records every cleaning and test on video, accepts returns even for in-person purchases, and personally guarantees the quality of his repairs.
“I make it a point to stand out by guaranteeing everything I sell works, taking videos of testing and cleaning, offering returns even at flea markets, and helping other vendors sell their gear too,” he said. “I am all about building trust and creating a positive, collaborative vibe in a space where that is often missing.”
That approach has paid off in unexpected ways.
Customers bring him boxes of cameras to repair, sometimes telling him to keep what cannot be fixed. Other vendors ask him to display their gear alongside his own. The transactions are personal, and his attention to detail reinforces that connection.
“For me, this whole journey is about more than the objects,” he said. “It is about building trust, forging real relationships, and keeping a spirit of curiosity and care alive.”
While Chanaa’s passion for cameras began well before college, the darkroom at George Mason University gave it structure and focus. He had been shooting film since he was 15, but the class opened his eyes to the technical process behind every print.
“I quickly fell in love with the technical side of the process, where the actual photographs were still important, but the bulk of the energy and effort was invested into the darkroom side of photography,” he said.
Volunteering extra hours gave him time to experiment with unfamiliar gear and troubleshoot broken cameras, often learning from peers rather than professors. “In the darkroom, almost all work was done individually by students who would then seek advice from or assist other students,” he said. “That environment helped me develop patience, adaptability, and an open mind.”
One memory stands out. He and a friend decided to take self-portraits using a large-format 4x5 camera they had never used before. “We told ourselves failure was OK, but that we would keep trying,” he said. “After four hours of trial and error, we finally reached the point where we had produced an image we were pleased with.”
Chanaa’s interest in restoration extends far beyond cameras. At his core, he is an entrepreneur and small business owner who thrives on turning forgotten or overlooked objects into something valuable again.
He repairs typewriters, tackles general electronics, and collects sports memorabilia, especially NASCAR items connected to Ross Chastain and rare basketball finds.
His approach blends research with deep respect for each item’s history. Every repair honors the original design and function, and every restored piece is meant to be used, not just admired on a shelf.
“What started with simple electronics repairs turned into a deep appreciation for vintage cameras and the stories they carry,” Chanaa said. “It is the same with anything I restore. I want it to work like it is supposed to, and I want people to connect with it.”
Most of his work is a solo venture, and he rarely delegates, though friends will sometimes lend a hand. That independence is balanced by a strong belief in working together, a value rooted in his years at George Mason University. He works to create an environment where other vendors, hobbyists, and customers feel supported.
“What inspires me to keep others motivated stems from the collaborative spirit I experienced at George Mason,” Chanaa said. “Recognition and appreciation play a big role in keeping people engaged. I try to lead by example, showing my passion and commitment to the craft.”
Whether it is acknowledging a vendor’s unique approach or celebrating a customer’s first successful roll of film, Chanaa sees community as essential to his work. “By creating an inclusive and enriching environment, I can instill a sense of purpose in others, much like what I experienced during my formative years,” he said.
As MoCollects grows, Chanaa’s goals extend beyond sales. At markets, he often stops to explain how an old light meter works or to walk a new film photographer through loading their first roll.
“If you are ever at a market and see someone cleaning a camera on the spot or patiently explaining how a decades-old light meter works, that is probably me,” he said. “Stop by, say hello, and maybe let me help you discover or revive something worth keeping.”
Chanaa is still deeply committed to his work in healthcare and to volunteering, but he also makes space for the passions that light him up. In many ways, both worlds are similar because they call for careful diagnosis, steady hands, and a desire to protect what matters most. “Being humble enough to ask for help eased every transition for me,” he said. “That same willingness to learn is what keeps me moving forward now.”
