I’ve recently gained inspiration from an amazing book, American Photobooth. It highlights the history of the photo booth and has an incredible collection of images that have been created in these booths throughout the last century. The book is a great reminder of the power of the singular, unique keepsake.

A spread from American Photobooth

I wanted to recreate a similar take-away for guests at wedding receptions that I’m photographing. I also love the idea of these images living in only the physical form. I felt it was best to have a fixed environment (camera doesn’t move) as well as having the subjects sit. Within these constraints, like with a classic photo booth, subjects can get creative with how they use the space. People are encouraged to get in close which inevitably creates fun and spontaneous imagery. In January, Caleb & I created our first booth at Blake & Kelly’s wedding reception using a Polaroid back on a Mamiya RZ 67.

Branden created and printed a card with Kelly & Blake’s custom logo. Then, he hand-cut four slits on each card which allowed the polaroid to be slipped in easily. After the polaroid was taken, the subjects were handed the image and were able to take home a fantastic keepsake from the wedding.

We shot over 200 Polaroids for guests at Kelly & Blake’s wedding. I love the idea that Kelly & Blake will be viewing images from their wedding over the next few years as they visit friends and family’s homes.

Shot on Mamiya RZ67.

More from this wedding later this week!

All images shot on a Mamiya RZ 67 w/ Fuji Instant Print 3000 speed. The negative was scanned and then inverted.

Last month I photographed the most wonderful wedding in the French Quarter. The reception ended with the arrival of the Preservation Hall band. They led wedding guests through the streets of the Quarter all the way to Preservation Hall where everyone danced for the next two hours. The images included are the polaroid negatives which we scan and then invert. More images coming soon from this amazing experience.

At the workshop last week, Brian Greenberg of Richard Photo Lab was telling me how I can scan the negative side of the 3000 speed Fuji instant film, invert it, and have an incredible image as the final product. I was very skeptical that it really would turn out well but I’m blown away by the result. Here’s a shot that I took during the second day of the workshop of Caroline and Clark. I took it on my Polaroid 195 that Brian gave me while he was here in Birmingham for the workshop. Such an incredible gift!

I look forward to doing this more. Look out for more scanned polaroid negs.