Bringing a New Light to the Photo Booth Biz with Kaytee & Sarah of the Creative Photo Booth Podcast

Photo booths have been around forever...but what's happening with them now? Well, Kaytee and Sarah from the Creative Photo Booth Podcast are revamping and recreating that space. From handmade props, to beautiful backgrounds and stunning photo quality, there's a reason these two are going far!

Let’s introduce the girls! 

Kaytee - I am the owner of Badass Booth in Richmond, Virginia. I was a wedding photographer for 8 years and through working in the event industry, I really saw the need for an awesome photo booth in my area. I wanted to create one that I would hire for my own wedding or event. Being a photographer, high quality imagery was really important to me along with having a well rounded brand - from the props that we displayed to the backdrops in our collection. Everything we invest into our business has purpose and coincides with who we are as a company. I love running a photo booth business. It's so fun and there is always something new to create.

Sarah - I am a fashion major, tuned event designer - turned photo booth owner! Literally none of these things have anything to do with each other, but I think each played a part in getting me to where I am today. It's all about life decisions and life choices and between fashion and planning events, it really taught me how to develop an eye for design, which I am able to use and just be creative when it comes to running my photo booth business. I think running my own business consists of having so many unique tools and elements that I have learned from school, and just being able to put those elements to life when running our business. That consists of designing prints and dreaming up prop ideas. I always try and use my business and marketing degree for the growth of Desert Luna. 

With all that, we also have a podcast called the Creative Photo Booth Podcast. We met through Instagram and we are creating something fun and unique with that!

Fun Fact - we have not met in person yet! 

Photo booths have been around for quite a while, how did you guys decide you wanted to jump into this and do things a little differently?

Sarah: I actually went from event planning to photo booth owner, so in that time I was planning weddings and I worked for a wedding planner in my first year and she had a photo booth. it was always kind of in the back of my mind, but I wasn’t really thinking about it that much I guess. And when I started doing weddings on my own, my boyfriend was like “ hey, there is a need for photo booths, and I think it would be fun”. He is always helping me plan my weddings or events and he said “I always have 3-4 hours of downtime and a photo booth would be perfect in that time frame period, to make that extra money and bring the life of the party to a different level”,  and so he looked into a photo booth. I have no idea what a photo booth was or what it really did. I knew it was having fun and taking photos with props and all that, but never knew what it even entailed. So, I told him “Hey this is what I'm looking for, I would love to see something with quality and some really cute props that just stand out. I just wanted to be something different, I didn’t want to be like every other photo booth out there. I wanted to create a unique photo booth experience. 

Kaytee: I think it’s the same thing for me. It's a photography experience, a fun photography experience - not just a cheap add on. It allows our clients and guests to have fun and look good doing it. I think our use of creative props kind of sets us apart. We use costumes and items that you wouldn't usually see in a photo booth and turn it into something unique. A lot of our items are handmade and you don't usually see those typical things in photo booths . I kind of came into this business wanting to change the game a little bit and I think Sarah did too. 

What is the most fun part of what you do?

Katyee: One of the most fun things for me is my office! I am surrounded by powerful colours and items. Knowing collectively that they are here because I get to run my own business everyday and I get to provide a really fun experience for my clients. Having been a wedding photographer, this takes a little pressure off myself knowing I am going to create a quality service every single time. 

Sarah: It is the most rewarding when you deliver a gallery. Capturing sentimental and playful moments - it was not a posed photo it’s living in the moment. Clients and their guests are able to express themselves and just have fun - get silly, and have friends and family around. We get to capture those moments. The quality of our photos make them much more comfortable and much more confident. 

What was the biggest learning curve?

Kaytee:  For me it was how to be creative and business minded. Coming off from wedding photography, it was very much a creative focus. You should absolutely be business minded but you're spending the majority of the time taking actual photos and then editing them. As far as it goes with the business and marketing side, you don't have a lot of energy for those kind of things. With the photo booth, it's a little bit different because it can kind of be replicated. As a photographer you kind of have a certain style that can't be necessarily quite replicated. So with the photo booth, you have to have the business mind because someone else can come around with the same concept. More marketing minded and business minded. Also, photo booths can often be last minute add on for an event and a lot more client follow up. 

Sarah: I feel like being creative is my number one and it was really hard for me to learn the business side of things and when Kaytee and I became friends, I needed help because this is not my department. I knew I needed help in trying to figure out running a successful photo booth business. She helped me tremendously and took me under her wing. 

Photo booths create such a unique experience for any event. It gives a sense of realness and not a structured photo pose with a photographer. It adds playfulness and allows your guest to get loose and have the time of your lives. Kaytee and Sarah are changing the photo booth game with stunning backdrops and props that will have your guests raving and will you forever have candid photos of your guests in high quality photos. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for these to gals! 

Listen to the full podcast! 

To follow along with Kaytee and Sarah:

IG: @creativephotoboothpodcast , @badassbooth , @desertlunaphotobooths

Website: https://www.creativephotoboothpodcast.com/