Making an experience out of photos

One of the most popular attractions of the work I do is the use of a photo booth. At a surface level, the idea is simple. Set up a backdrop or find a simple part of a wall, lay out some props or accessories, and take some pictures. The people ask where can they get their photo, and you introduce them to the social media network that they should be connected to, and you call it a day. Right?

The month of June means that it is New Student Orientation. Thousands of students and their families make their way to campus to learn about their new home, the resources available to them, sign up for classes in the fall, and much more. During this time, my team and I are available to "take pictures" in our photo booth before they start the day.

Our props are not your typical props. You know the ones: streamers, fake mustaches, balloons on sticks. We were once about that life too because that is what we thought you were supposed to do with a photo booth.  But we quickly learned that while the photos still come out really well, there is not much worth or value in the interaction that lead up to that picture. Sure, we used to get a few chuckles, maybe even an "Aw, cute." This year, we have changed the game for ourselves. We now strive to create a moment as you choose your props for your photos. Sure we have props such as "Go Broncos!" and "Giddy Up" just to get you excited, but we also have:

• History in the Making
• The Journey starts NOW
• Bronco Legacy
• I'm Handing Over the Reins (Yes, we are fans of bronco related puns.)
• I'm Home

These props just make you feel different. For students, they become declaration of independence. Moments to say that they are ready for what lies ahead of them. That they are becoming a part of a much larger family. For parents, it let's them be proud of their student and be excited for what lies ahead. Nothing makes me more happy than this closing story, which is only one example of the many experiences we have had this month:

A family was waiting in line to take their photo and were looking at the props from the other end of the table. A son looked and said, "Look Dad, there's one that says 'I'm Home'! I'm going to take that one." Dad smiled and looked back and said, "You can take any other one but that one because 'I'M HOME'".

Dad was an alumnus. We had a chance to talk about the dad's time at the university and how some things are the same, but many are a little different. We also heard about how proud he was of his Alma Mater and how excited we was to share his home, the university home, with his son.

There is the value. That is the purpose. You can make the simple task of taking a photo a real experience.