Shreveport man brings unique photo trend to weddings and events in Northwest Louisiana
Are wedding bells in your future? With the recent cuffing season, couples around the Shreveport-Bossier area are marking their calendars for the big day.
Matthew McAlister, owner of Bayou Photobooth Co., is excited to be ushering in another year of wedding season.
"I really love weddings," McAlister said. "I have always wanted to own my own business and basically, I started looking into what vendors help out at weddings. You know you've got catering; you've got cakes and different vendors and I thought what could I do?"
McAlister began this journey in early 2021 after years of dreaming of owning his own business.
Born and raised in Shreveport, McAlister always dreamed of opening a business in his hometown.
McAlister said, "I just wanted to do something that I enjoyed, and weddings are happy."
When McAlister pinpointed his love for weddings he began his research. He searched the local area making an inventory of all the wedding vendors. Through his research, he discovered the photo booth idea.
"I found a photo booth online and I basically started YouTubing and learned more than anyone would want to learn about a photo booth," McAlister said.
The photo booth is a free-standing booth that has a tablet surrounded by LED lights that can be adjusted for each event. When the photo is taken it gives the user the option to receive the photo via email or text.
With less than a handful of these photo booths in the area, McAlister ceased on the opportunity to bring in an affordable and fun option for weddings and events.
Rentals start at $300 for a minimum of two hours.
"I wanted to try something different. I didn't want to do something in a saturated market where there is a bunch of people I am trying to compete with," he explained.
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His photo booth is an open-air booth, meaning it is simple and easy to set up. "It is not like dragging around a big photo booth."
Before Bayou Photobooth Co., McAlister was not a designer but has since learned to create customizable templates that relate to the theme of the party or wedding.
McAlister said, "what sets me apart from others is the customization of everything. When a bride comes to me and says here are my colors, here's the backdrop I kind of have an idea of, I can match the LED colors in the lighting and make them a custom tap screen."
To rent a booth call 318-423-3990 or email Bayouphotoboothco@gmail.com.
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Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport business brings unique photo booth trend to weddings
