Hands up if you and your best mate (or boyfriend/girlfriend) have ever had your pictures together in one of those passport photo booths you find in Boots and supermarkets. (Now don't feel bad if you put your hand up with no-one there to see it, it's the spirit that counts, and yes, my hand is up now too.)
Why do we all do it? Because it's a great laugh, you get to take the pictures away and keep them forever afterwards, right? Imagine if you could do that whilst dressed up in your prom outfits. Even better, imagine that it has a background much more interesting than plain white, blue or grey – a backdrop designed to tie in with your prom theme even! Sound cool? Well, that's exactly what a rather brilliant company called Pergola Photo does: fun photo booths that you can have at your prom with decorated backdrops to go with your prom theme.
I interviewed the lovely Deborah who is the bright spark behind this idea to get the low-down on the Pergola "Fun booths" so you can learn all you need to know.
Prom Organiser: Your photo booths are a great idea – how do you sum up what you provide to people in a nutshell?
Deborah from Pergola: A Pergola "Fun Booth" is just like a passport photo booth but more luxurious, able to be decorated and using the latest state-of-the-art digital technology. The booth offers novel and lasting entertainment, quickly producing superb portraits that guests will enjoy and keep forever. The pictures provide happy memories and appealing souvenirs of their prom night.
Prom Organiser: Can the booths be decorated in any way by the prom committee?
Deborah from Pergola: Yes, but they should consult us first so they are fully aware of the specifications of the booth. We like to see a booth as a blank canvas, like a theatre set that can be decorated to match whichever prom theme they like.
The decor can be something simple or more exotic, a lavish beach hut with reeds and bamboo, butterflies and cockatiels, or the Taj Mahal booth design, to give a couple of examples.
Prom Organiser: Does a member of your company come to set everything up?
Deborah from Pergola: Yes, at least 2 people come to set it up and then stay for the rest of evening to help out.
Prom Organiser: How long does the setting up take?
Deborah from Pergola: This depends on where the Booth will be situated within a venue. Usually a total of between 1 to 1 ½ hours but we like to allow two.
Prom Organiser: Do the booths replace traditional photographers?
Deborah from Pergola: We are entertainment – NOT photography. If a prom was strapped for cash they could be an alternative but the pictures produced are a very different style to the ones provided by professional photographers. The photo booth pictures are very informal and private.
Prom Organiser: Tell me about the wristpic bands (again, another brilliant idea!)
Deborah from Pergola: These are USB memory sticks on a wrist band. Guests can use them to take their pictures home to load onto Facebook. It's on a wristband because prom dresses don't come with pockets! They cost around £5.00 each.
Prom Organiser: What is the funniest picture you've seen taken in one of your booths?
Deborah from Pergola: Hmmm, I daren't say! Some rather risqué pictures have been taken that we have been requested to delete afterwards.
Prom Organiser: Are the pictures stored over the evening so reprints can be ordered?
Deborah from Pergola: Yes, we keep the images for some time after the event. We don't display them on the Internet as we respect the privacy of individual guests, however, a DVD containing all the images is sent to the Host/Organiser.
As for reprints, we have a unique feature called the Concierge Desk. The photo concierge desk produces reprints and enlargements on the night itself, so there's no waiting around afterwards. Typically these are 4″ x 6″ but we can do 6″ x 9″ enlargements if anyone wants them.
Prom Organiser: What can be done with the pictures afterwards (thinking about prom year books, personalised T-shirts etc – do you help with any of those?)
Deborah from Pergola: Absolutely! We have a section on our website dedicated to school year books for example, we can also do mugs, key fobs and all sorts of digital take-home items. There are loads of ideas on our website.
Prom Organiser: If a prom committee is interested in hiring a booth, how do they do this? What is the booking process? (i.e. call, deposit, payment before/after event?)
Deborah from Pergola: We like to talk to the prom organiser or prom committee representative first in order to get the full details, e.g. number of guests, timings, décor etc. After which, I will send a confirmatory email giving prices and what they will get for their money. We require a 50% deposit with the balance being paid at least 4 weeks before the event.
So there you have it – what a great idea! Pergola Photo has loads of experience and have provided their booths to huge events and weddings as well as proms, so you don't have to worry about getting in touch. Have fun!
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