Photo booths are irresistibly nostalgic. The silliness of sitting down and rushing to think up a few poses in a few short seconds makes for some of the most fun images. But the best part is anticipating the final results and holding onto that little strip of time.
An M14 “dip and dunk” vintage chemical analog photo booth from the 1960s at Cornish Pasty
It’s been almost 100 years since Anatol Josepho unveiled the Photomaton in New York City. His machine was revolutionary in that age and is the first and closest to resembling the photo booths we’ve come to love. Over time, the chances of coming across an analog photo booth have decreased, given the general digital overhaul of society. But a local couple is striving to keep analog alive.
“There’s probably only fifty-ish people all over the world that are still maintaining and operating these booths,” says photo booth enthusiast Victoria Hogan. “Especially with the popularity of TikTok and people putting their booths online [with apps], it’s having a moment right now.”
Hogan originally moved to Las Vegas to attend graduate school studying photography with goal of becoming a professor. Although that idea faded, her appreciation for the analog process never wavered.
Her curiosity about photo booths blossomed into business ventures. Photography was a key ingredient in Flora Pop, a pop-up wedding venue that roams Southern Nevada, and more recently as co-owner of the kitschy Sure Thing Wedding Chapel, where she knew a vintage booth would be a perfect addition. And she was right; the flattering photostrips have contributed the right mood to the retro-swanky feel of a unique wedding at the Downtown chapel.
What began as a business asset soon turned into a passion for Hogan and her husband Stephen Fetterusso. Under the guidance of experts, the couple became students who dedicated their time and resources to preserving this photographic heritage. They now own, operate and service three booths at Cornish Pasty Co., Velveteen Rabbit and Sure Thing. And with each machine costing around the same price as a nice used car, this makes for an expensive endeavor.
Film strips from photo booths
The developing process is especially complicated considering their booths date back from the 1960s through the 1990s. Fetterusso explains that the inside of the machine is a studio of various moving parts and arms that utilize the dip-and-dunk developing method.
“If something falls slightly out of alignment, it’ll completely mess up the photo studio,” he says. “Sometimes it’s not a big deal, or it becomes a cascading effect where the booth has to go down for the evening.”
Apart from his occupation as a hairdresser, Fetterusso has fallen in love with the technical maintenance of these machines, and with their surging popularity, it’s possible he will become a photo booth technician full time.
This hobby that morphed into a passion took the couple overseas to the International Photobooth Convention in London in July, where they convened with fellow dip-and-dunk enthusiasts and experts.
For now, Fetterusso and Hogan are enjoying their adopted machines and have plans to propose future photo booths to other businesses and casinos.
“We want to help keep this art form alive,” says Hogan. “When you have an appreciation for analog, I think it’s that much more special, especially for the locals that actually care.”
Instagram.com/vintagevegasphotobooth/
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