Huntsville Commemorates a Century of Photo Booths

News Summary

Huntsville, Alabama is celebrating 100 years of the photo booth, a nostalgic invention that captures candid moments. Photo Booth Queen Breanna Saxon showcases her impressive collection of vintage booths, highlighting their importance in preserving analog photography. As events and fun unfold at Lowe Mill A&E, Saxon is also committed to empowering women in the tech industry. With a goal to revive the charm of photo booths among residents and tourists, the community is invited to join in the celebration of this iconic cultural experience.

Huntsville Celebrates 100 Years of Photo Booth Magic!

Huntsville, Alabama is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to celebrate a century of the charming and nostalgic photo booth – a delightful invention that brings smiles and memories to life! This year marks a significant milestone since the first coin-operated photo booth was invented back in 1925 by Anatol Josepho in New York City, transforming how people capture candid moments.

Meet Huntsville’s Own Photo Booth Queen

Among the many booths operating around the country, Breanna Saxon stands out with her impressive collection of approximately 50 analog photo booths. Her journey started in 2009 when she bought her first booth for just $200 from a thrift store in Alabama; little did she know she would become renowned in the photo booth community. Saxon, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography and has further honed her skills at the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, has become a beloved figure in Huntsville’s arts scene.

Currently, Saxon actively operates 20 booths across seven states, with another ten undergoing refurbishment and an additional twenty in need of repairs. She is particularly proud of a vintage chemical analog photo booth from the 1960s, famously featured in the movie “IT.” Like a proud collector, she preserves these historical treasures, ensuring that the spirit of analog photography is not forgotten.

Why Photo Booths Matter

Photo booths have been a quirky part of American culture for generations, serving bear witness to iconic moments like the Kennedys taking goofy strips of film or the infamous John Lennon and Yoko Ono sharing intimate snapshots. In the digital age, Saxon is concerned about the disappearing art of analog photography and is determined to keep it alive as a tangible experience for everyone to enjoy.

At the Lowe Mill A&E, Saxon’s photo booth is creating waves and drawing visitors who are eager to try this vintage experience. This booth, notably encased in wood and believed to be an M17s model from the mid-1970s, stands out as the heaviest in her collection. Tourists are flocking to the location, easily accessible through Door 15, to capture their memories in style.

Empowering Women in Tech

Saxon is not only focused on preserving photography skills; she is also on a mission to empower women within the industry. She prioritizes hiring women as technicians in a field that is predominantly male-dominated. With her team, including the talented Ashley Vaughn managing the Lowe Mill booth, Saxon is paving the way for future generations of female technicians.

Adding to her innovative approach, Saxon has developed an app for her technicians to effectively manage their operations, track visits, issues, and earnings. This unique application aims to streamline tasks and could potentially be shared with others in the industry, creating a supportive community of photo booth enthusiasts.

Events and Fun at the Booth!

Celebrating 100 years of the beloved photo booth, Saxon hosts special events featuring her vintage booths—a distinction that makes her service the only specialized option in the U.S. For a mere $5, visitors can take home cherished printed photos, allowing them to step back in time while creating new memories.

As we honor this remarkable invention, residents and visitors alike are invited to partake in the nostalgia and joy that photo booths bring. So, whether you’re a wandering tourist or a local looking for some weekend fun, make sure to stop by Lowe Mill A&E to experience the magic of an analog photo booth firsthand!

In conclusion, as Huntsville celebrates a century of playful photo capturing, it also embraces the talented individuals like Breanna Saxon who keep this wonderful tradition alive. With analog booths continuing to charm their way into hearts and memories everywhere, the future is bright for both Huntsville and the art of photography!

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Additional Resources

• WHNT: 100 Years Later, Huntsville Photographer Keeping Photo Booths Alive
• Peak of Ohio: Royalty Visits Huntsville for a Night to Shine
• AL.com: A Trip to the Mall—Back to the 80s
• Rocket City Mom: Huntsville Mom’s Backyard Photography
• Bossip: Love and Marriage in Huntsville Celebration
• Wikipedia: Photo Booth
• Google Search: Photo Booth History
• Google Scholar: Photography and Photo Booths
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Photo Booth
• Google News: Photo Booths News