Flash, click, wow!

I have always loved old-time photo booths, and through the years have collected a myriad of classic 4-photo strips - friends piled on friends; boyfriends making goofy faces; my little brother in consecutive states of confusion. It is hard to deny their nostalgic appeal.

While it's difficult to find photo booths in traditional entertainment venues, they have become very popular rental items at corporate parties and weddings. Companies such as NYC Photo Booth even offer booths that can customize photos with a brand, name, or date.

At the BizBash Expo I met a visionary who has taken the concept of instant party photography to the next level. Mark Van S and his team at MVS Studio offer digital photo and video systems that seamlessly integrate the photographic process with a real-time video display.  Confused? The concept is simple:  they took a traditional photo booth and removed the box, added a superb digital camera, a universally-flattering flash and grayscale palette, and voila! A printed image coupled with an instant video display.

I saw the MVS system in action at a recent corporate holiday party, and I was - along with all of the other guests - floored. The tripod-mounted camera is so small, and the overall footprint so modest. The 4x6 photos were printed in a matter of seconds, and simultaneously displayed on two freestanding plasma screens visible to all the guests. As for the results? Well, darling, I don't think anyone at that party had ever looked so fabulous.

MVS is based in Brooklyn, NY, but their digital photo booth has been used at events around the country and the world.  They have also recently launched a digital video booth, and are renowned for their custom work and video production services.