By Minh Ngoc Le
Strolling on the bustling streets of Seoul or the quiet corners of Tokyo, one can easily spot these tiny, hidden gems seamlessly weaved beneath the matrix of buildings that hold the key to eternal memories. Upon stepping through the hanging curtains into the 5-by-5 feet box, hundreds of film strips adorn the space, all tied together by a little camera and the countdown — “3, 2, 1!” And there comes the strip of glossy paper, embellished with a series of small, rectangular photographs — the perfect souvenir to commemorate a day well spent.
What you’ve just experienced is a photobooth, a machine first brought to the public at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1889.
History of photo booths
At the Paris World’s Fair, a coin-operated device was introduced. This machine could make an exposure and deliver a framed ferrotype — a photo transferred onto a thin metal sheet — in 5 minutes. However, the portraits were extremely blurry and were barely visible.
This technology would then make its way to the United States in 1925 when Anatol Josepho designed a fully automatic machine in New York City. He called his creation the Photomaton — the closest version to the photo booths we see today.
Since the release of this invention, photo booths have spread to areas around the world, continuously developing and changing into unique versions of this widely loved phenomenon.
Classic photo booths
A classic photo booth experience involves a standing camera, an option to print different amounts of photos and a simple countdown. There are two types of photo booths — one where photo takers step into the booth for a more private experience, and another where they can simply stand in front of the photo booth to take a picture.
Customization and accessories
Photo booths do not have to be boring. From fun headwear and glasses to fluffy stuffed animals, these accessories are often provided to spice up the classic photo experience! Nothing is more fun than rushing to completely change your look between the tiny 5-second intervals — you will often be caught pulling accessories right off of your friends’ faces!
Seasonal frames are also an option to make your experience more memorable. Whether it be the red and green mistletoes around Christmas time, baby pink cherry blossoms to welcome the spring or even your favorite celebrity popping it to say hello, these unique photo frames add both fun and color, making each moment a bit more magical.
Different camera angles can also add extra dynamic to your photos. An all-black booth with flash lighting creates a cool, modern vibe, while an all-red photobooth with dark lighting creates a romantic, subtle mood.
How photo booths are utilized today
As we transition into the 21st century, different, creative approaches are emerging to the world. The most notable invention recently is a photobooth developed by the makeup brand, Rhode, first introduced at Coachella 2024 — an annual music festival in Palm Springs, California.
With their newly developed photo booths, Rhode has created an interactive way for customers to engage with their products, utilizing this chance to further market their brand.
Unlike classic photo booths, photo takers input a purchased plastic coin, select their favorite Rhode lip product and receive their item after taking their photos as usual. Not only will customers post their cute photos on Instagram, but they will also promote their newly acquired lip balm — a genius marketing move from Rhode themselves.
Leaving subtle intentions aside, what makes photo booths truly popular is their power to capture moments in time. The desire to have physical evidence of a day well spent stems from the fear of forgetting these moments. After all, photos are simply a means to capture the beauty of relationships. Next time you feel your day slipping away, be sure to take a pause and capture them — on film.
