"Why is it so expensive? Shouldn't this be something which helps the couple capture precious moments and memories of the most important day in their lives?" I asked myself this same old question each time after I attended my friend's or colleague's wedding with Instant Photobooth service.
Mind you, at that point of time, there was nothing like unlimited prints or customizable theme border. Guests will only get one photo printout per shot, irregardless the number of pax in the photo. So, who am I supposed to give the photo to? There was five people in it and you know, everyone was hoping to have a piece of that photo to bring back with them and so, I went to the Photobooth counter to ask if we could reprint four more pieces. YES, the booth assistant replied but it's chargeable at a dollar for every extra copy printed. To me, this doesn't make any sense at all. You mean you are collecting monies from your client's wedding guests? Seriously? I was disappointed by the kind of service that photobooth vendor provided (I can't say which one though). In the end, we decided not to reprint but instead, took photos of it and save it into our phone as memories.
Those were the moments when I started thinking and pondering. "If I am the one who is getting married instead, will I want a Photobooth to be at the reception hall spoiling the moods of my guests before the banquet has even started? Or a Photobooth which they can have lots of funs at, while create joys plus memories? And what are the things which I want to have in that package, in order to justify to myself that bringing in a Photobooth for my wedding is worthwhile?"
I am Jason Lee. Founder and Director of The Loco Team.
Let me share with you more about myself and how The Loco Team was formed.
I have a passion for photography since my younger days when I am still schooling. I have actually forgotten when was the time I develop the love for having a camera in my hands. At age ten, I loved to “play” with an old camera which my parents had (those which you need to buy films from camera shops in order to take photo). By age sixteen, when I first owned a Nokia camera phone, I began taking “snaps” around my house, from sunrises to sunsets to night views to busy road traffics which were always visible during peak hour. These early years with a camera phone began my life with photography as both “passion and love of my life” that eventually became a deeply personal pursuit. As time passed, the feeling to own a digital camera grew into me and that's when I started to save up for it.
I got my first Samsung mini DSLR camera at the age of twenty-one. Forgotten the model but it's with a screen which I can rotate and flip for selfies/wefies. Over the years, I found out that the diversity of my interests in photography varied widely. They ranged from colour photos to black and white, awesome scenic views to images of structures and buildings, and finally from everything, joys and laughters at events which are worthy to be kept for life. Every photo which I have taken have wide ranging representations to me in meaningful ways far beyond my conscious awareness.
It is important to me to photograph what moves me visually and emotionally, what touches my heart and soul at the deepest levels. With my camera in hand, I started to observe my surroundings and learnt to appreciate things more. I always believe that photographs write the most interesting stories without saying a single word, and yet can have a million different meanings to every individual.
When I am twenty-six, my burning passion in photography leads me back to the questions above - "If I am the one who is getting married instead, what do I look for from a photobooth vendor at my wedding reception? Will I be able to make a difference to couples with my passion?"
Firstly, unlimited printouts is a must. I will want my guests to have a photo to bring back home with them, something which will bring back memories many years later. A full set of hard copy photos taken at the photobooth to be given with the soft copies after the event will be really nice if possible.
Secondly, customizable photo border to match my theme. To be able to have a border that match my "once in a lifetime" wedding theme and designed to my preference will be awesome.
Thirdly, NO automated machine to capture photos although it is super cool, I know. I have to take note that especially at wedding banquets, more than 60% of the guests are elderly people and unlike us, they wouldn't know how to pose within the given space from the screen or mirror. And soon, after realizing that their pretty or handsome faces are not captured in the photo, or worst still, half cut off at the edge, they will be left disappointed. Thus, I will want a professional stationary photographer to be at the photobooth taking photos with everyone fitting into my customized border perfectly, mingle and RARA with my guests. The vibes and noises that are generated from the Photobooth will be the ice breaker to start my banquet rolling, something that the quiet automated photobooth can never provide.
Lastly, to some, the most important point of all. Cost. I will be looking at a package which will cost me around $500.00 nett with everything mentioned above included, plus a 3m by 3m backdrop to complement my photo border, a variety of fun props and accessories and include set-up cost and parking charges. In short, no additional charges.
And yes, BINGO! Since this is the kind of photobooth package I will be looking for from a consumer point of view, let me create this package for the consumer in return then! This is how The Loco Team started 3 years ago. I always believe that my passion in photography will help many others to capture moments and creating permanence of images which will never be replicated, incorporated with premium services and qualities at affordable cost.
