Update from Photoboothland.

We've had some things happening here at Retro Photobooths that we are super excited about.

First off, our Stopover --> SXSW Festivals were smashing successes with many eager party-goers taking time out from their busy party schedules to hop in the booths.  This event also marked our first time placing a booth outside.  Our most recent booth, Oh Canada!, spent the SXSW Festival perched outside on South Congress near a small coffee shop and 'market' of other vendors.  He was a big hit with all the revelers walking down SoCo.

Speaking of a big hit, rumor has it that Usher and his entorourage hopped into our booth Pinkie at Bar 96.  Fortunately for usher, and unfortunately for his millions of adoring fans, Pinkie is a vintage analog booth, so no proof remains of his visit.  What happens in the booth, stays in the booth...

And this isn't the only fame we've garnered...  The Austin Chronicle, the alternative weekly, has highlighted one of our booths!  Well, not quite but it is still super cool to see our beautiful Model 22 used as the location for a band photo shoot.  We're in the press!  If you want to get your picture made in this booth, head over to the White Horse Saloon.  There you will find this awesome booth making its magic.  Sorry, rock and roll band not included.

Savannah Stopover --> SXSW Festival

It's almost that time again.  The time to get your dancing shoes on and fill up the gas tank for a magical musical tour!

This will be our second year participating with the Savannah Stopover Festival and we are super excited to be a part of the fun.  For those who don't know, the Stopover is a third-year festival held in Savannah, GA the weekend before the craziness that is SXSW in Autsin, TX.  The idea here is to snag all the touring acts that are making their way from the East Coast to Texas and encourage them to "stopover" for pre-SXSW party and festival.  Good music and good time are guaranteed.  Oh yeah, and photobooths.

Stay tuned for more information!

Brooklyn Photobooth Hunt: #1

Williamsburg seems to be the land of all things hip, so its no surprise that this neighborhood, and the rest of Brooklyn borough, sports a plethora of photobooths, both vintage and digital.  Today, while meandering along Bedford Ave. in the heart of Williamsburg, I came across this digital photobooth in a side shopping arcade.  Naturally, I had to use it.  This machine is unlike any I've ever seen and is apparently manufactured by Apple Industries.  The advertising text above the doorway states "Passport Style Photos Available", insinuating that this machine might have intended originally to be used strictly as a means to acquire document photos.  Thanks to a bunch of graffiti and other art inside the booth, the final photos could never pass as legit ID.  A bright and colorful screen within the booth prompted me with a handful of options to choose from--black and white, color, computer-generated backdrop, etc-- while loud speakers blasted cheesy sound effects and music, no doubt intended to enhance my experience.  And, I admit, it did.  While it was no vintage dip-and-dunk machine, it was enjoyable and did produce two "Passport Style Photos" strips.

Savannah gets Wild!

As we quietly transition from the busy wedding and rental season to the somber tourist retreat of mid-winter, we thought it best for Savannah to continue the party instead of slipping into hibernation.  So, she has been moved and established at the Wild Wing Cafe in City Market Savannah, GA.  Her new post by the upstairs bar, next to the restroom hallway will ensure she offers plenty of opportunities for guests to get Wild at the Wing.  This sports bar is a favorite hangout to watch games at.  Swing by for the game and a shot (in the booth)!

A peek inside...

I have shown this set of pictures in the past, but I think they deserve another look.  For everybody who wonders how that little strip of black and white images is made, its much more complex than you ever thought.  Here are some shots of a handful of the inner workings that must all work together to produce a strip of images.  Pretty ingenious invention.

Credit Unit

Delivery Unit

Flash Strobe

Camera Relay -- cr. 1950s?

Camera

Spider Arm Assemble

The Sparetime + Sir Boothsalot = Good Times!

Sir Booths

We are super excited to have just placed our funky analog booth Sir Boothsalot at The Sparetime on Congress St. in Savannah, GA!

This guy fits right in and has already been well accepted.  This bar and late night avant garde hangout has become famous for its hand crafted cocktails and vinyl aficionados.   We can't think of a better place to have a vintage analog photobooth.  We are really excited to collaborate with the many artists and musicians who regulate this haunt.  Stay tuned for special promos and custom art backdrop photobooth parties in the future.  It's going to be the tits.

And in the mean while, here's some shots from the booth.  These were the first strips made by the booth in this location and I think they are a very fitting example of the general excitement about this booth and this bar.  Thanks to Ricardo and Jenn for sharing your engagement excitement with us.  Check out that bling ring.  Congrats!

Man in the Moon