A Side Project That Took a Life of Its Own
What started as a fun creative outlet quickly turned into something much bigger. The photo booth business began as a side project, a way to build something tangible outside of my day-to-day work as a graphic designer. Before long, it became a full-fledged business that I ran nights and weekends, balancing creative exploration with real operational responsibility.
At the center of it all was a fully restored 1976 Volkswagen bus, converted into a mobile photo booth experience. We designed and built everything from scratch, outfitting the bus with professional lighting, a camera, live preview monitor, photo strip printer, and a rotating collection of props. Every detail was intentional, from the exterior presence that drew people in to the experience once they stepped inside. It wasn’t just a photo booth. It was a moment.
Putting the “bus” in business
Our early momentum came through weddings, where the combination of nostalgia, design, and interactivity resonated quickly. From there, the business expanded into corporate events, restaurant openings, children’s hospitals, community gatherings, and private celebrations of all kinds. Each event brought new constraints, new audiences, and new expectations, requiring flexibility, fast problem-solving, and a consistently high-quality experience.
Beyond the creative side, this project required wearing every hat. Brand development, marketing, client communication, logistics, setup and teardown, on-site experience management, and post-event delivery all lived on my shoulders. Running the business alongside a full-time role sharpened my ability to manage time, prioritize, and execute with discipline, while still leaving room for creativity and fun.
This project remains one of my favorite examples of how design, storytelling, and experience come together. It reinforced the idea that great ideas don’t have to start big to become meaningful, and that passion projects, when treated seriously, can grow into something real, impactful, and memorable.
