May 2013

Blog Archives

Culver Boys and Girls Club- Photo Booth

    Today, the Culver Boy and Girl Club kids wanted to surprise Cory Monnier, their director the past three years whose last day was today. The kids made a banner and cards for Cory. They also had cake and punch. Ginny chairs the Boy and Girl Club board so she wanted to attend the event and take the photo booth so that the kids could have their pictures taken with Cory and their friends. She also presented a plaque to Cory. We had a lot of fun. Props got scattered everywhere. Boa feathers were all over the floor. I think we may have had 30 kids wearing masks, hats, and other fun stuff at a time. It was hard to tell who was who behind all the costumes. In the end, though, the kids had a great time and they were able to spend some time having fun with Cory on his last day. Check out some of the funny pictures they took.

    The photos are posted for free downloads to- http://www.culverphotos.com/5_24_13_cbgc

    Culver Community Elementary Character Club- Photo Booth

      Today, we took the photo booth to the Culver Community Elementary school for the third graders’ Character day celebration. The kids do a parade through the town of Culver every year and stop along the way to chant the Character motto. Culver Kiwanis donates money to get the kids fun t-shirts. To help them celebrate, we took the photo booth so that all of the kids could get their pictures taken. The kids had a blast. We congratulate the kids for taking the time to learn about character and for proudly parading their knowledge. They will carry those lessons beyond the third grade, which we think is a great thing.

      I’ve posted the files for free downloads to- http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_character

      New Photo Booth Logo

        Thank you to everyone who weighed in on our logo design for our photo booth business. Based on everyone’s input, we decided on the whimsical logo with a slight change to the glasses. (We made them red.) When we have a logo designed for CGM Photography, we’ll most likely go with a more traditional, serious logo. -Grant

         

        Culver Academy Class of ’88 Reunion- Photo Booth

          Last night, the photo booth was set up for the Saturday dinner for returning 25th year class which took place at the navel building on Culver’s lakefront.

          I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it, but below is proof that we managed to have 15 ADULTS in the booth. As you can tell, the booth was a hit. I’ve posted the photos to- http://www.culverphotos.com/culver_1988.

          Jefferson Elementary Fun Fair- Photo Booth

            Sorry for being late with getting this information out. With Reunion Weekend at Culver Academy, I was busy.

            Last Friday, we took the photo booth to Plymouth, Indiana for Jefferson Elementary School’s annual Fun Fair. Having never had a photo booth at their carnival, the photo booth was a huge success with a line the entire evening. The kids loved the photo booth and the props and the staff and volunteers were gracious and helped throughout the evening.

            I’ve posted the photos so that the parents and kids can download their photos for free at- http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_jefferson

            Akron Elementary Spring Fling- Photo Booth

              Tonight, we took the photo booth to Akron, Indiana, a small town just west of Rochester, for their annual Akron Elementary Spring Fling. Their event was very well attended with the photo booth being extremely popular. There was a line for the booth almost all evening. I’ve posted the files for free download to- http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_akron

              CCHS After Prom- Photo Booth

                Last night, I took the photo booth to LifePlex in Plymouth, Indiana for Culver Community High School’s (CCHS) After Prom. The event was very well done with lots of activities for the kids to enjoy in a safe environment. As always, the photo booth was quite popular.

                I’ve posted the photos to here for free download.

                Oregon Davis After Prom- Photo Booth

                  Last night was a late one for the photo booth with Oregon Davis High School’s After Prom in Hamlet, Indiana. With the event starting at 11:30 PM CST and going until 2:30 AM CST, Ginny and I were a little tired by the end. (Here in Culver, being on EST, the event didn’t finish until 3:30 AM our time.) Regardless of us being tired, the students were great, very well behaved and they seemed like they really enjoyed the photo booth. Some, I think, went through the booth 8-10 times with different friends and props.

                  The photos are posted to here for free download.

                  Photo Booth this Weekend

                    I’m sorry but there appears to be some confusion about where the photo booth will be this weekend. I WILL NOT have the booth at Culver Academies’ Senior Dinner Dance. (I proposed it to the committee and they decided not to have it. I’m not sure why. Sorry.) The booth will be at Oregon Davis’s After Prom (very late Friday night) and Culver Community High School’s After Prom (late Saturday night).

                    Leesburg Elementary School Carnival- Photo Booth

                      This afternoon, we traveled to Leesburg, Indiana, a small town north of Warsaw, with the photo booth for their annual Summer Fun Carnival. You can say what you want, but there is such a thing as Hoosier Hospitality. The kids were great. The adults were kind and welcoming of us. It was a really fun event to have the photo booth at. I think everyone enjoyed themselves with the booth and our goofy props.

                      I’ve posted the photos for free download at-
                      http://www.culverphotos.com/4_27_13_leesburg

                       

                      Argos Elementary School Carnival- Photo Booth

                        Tonight I took the photo booth to Argos High School for the annual Argos Elementary Carnival. Being the first time the school had invited a photo booth to their carnival, it was big hit. Kids of all ages lined up to get their photos in the booth. As always, I had a blast working the booth. It really is a lot of fun watching everyone laugh and enjoy the booth. I’ve posted the photos for free download to-

                        http://www.culverphotos.com/4_26_13_argos

                        Outdoor Photo Booth!

                          We are pleased to announce that we’ve purchased a heavy duty, beautiful 14’x20’ tent that is large enough to hold the photo booth, all the props, and our equipment with plenty of room to spare. Our new tent is a little larger than we really need but its size allowed for an interior height that would fit our photo booth. We purchased the tent so that we can have the photo booth at outdoor events without having to worry about the weather. With our new tent having sidewalls with windows, we’ll be protected from both rain and wind which tends to blow our props everywhere.

                          For outdoor events, please note that there will be a surcharge if we are using the new tent as our setup and teardown is increased by a few hours.

                          Relay For Life Photo Booth

                            Tonight I had the photo booth in Culver, Indiana for the annual Relay For Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society at Culver Academy. The booth was huge hit with the kids and adults and we managed to raise some money for the cause.

                            I’ve posted the photos from the evening for free download at: http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_relay

                             

                            Relay For Life- Culver Academies

                              We are looking forward to participating in the Relay for Life event at Culver Academies this Friday night. We’ll have the photo booth there and are donating half of our proceeds to Relay for Life. Props will be available and we’ll print strips for everyone who goes into the booth. It should be a fun night and it’s a great cause!

                              Operation Quiet Comfort

                                Last night I traveled to Plymouth, Indiana to Memories Banquet Hall with the photo booth to participate in Operation Quiet Comfort’s Annual Support Dinner. It was a fun event with a lot of Veterans and people who care about the assisting the US Military.

                                Before being asked to have the photo booth at their event, I had never heard of Operation Quiet Comfort. Their group is a national, non-profit group based in Plymouth, Indiana which puts together care packages to send to military hospitals for our injured troops. Some items typically sent might be: toothbrushes, deodorant, underware, socks, combs, and pajamas. They send items that the soldiers need on a daily basis that they would not have on them when they are injured. Almost always, they are transported directly to the hospitals. One thing I did learn about Operation Quiet Comfort last night- 100% of the funds they collect goes to the troops. Their management fees are $0 as everyone is a volunteer. They even pay for their own gas and lodging when they travel to their different chapters around the country. For more information about them, please visit- http://www.operationquietcomfort.com/index.html

                                I’ve posted photos from the event to- http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_quiet_comfort

                                Culver Community High School After Prom

                                  Today I just received word that we’ll be having the photo booth at the Culver Comminuty High School (CCHS) After Prom in May. I think the booth will be a huge hit for the seniors as they’ve never had a photo booth at their After Prom. Their After Prom is held at the LifePlex center in Plymouth, Indiana which does a great job at providing fun, safe things for the kids to do once their Prom is over. We’ll have our booth will be set up from 11:00-1:00 which will not interfere wil the hypnotist who takes the stage at 1:00. Please be sure to to thank all the volunteers and supporters who help make this event happen every year.

                                  New Web Site Tab – Places

                                    Last night, I couldn’t sleep. Instead of watching TV, I decided that it would be fun to have a map showing eveyplace that the photo booth has been set up over time. Using Google Maps and a small program called Maps Marker, I came up with a nice solution allows me to input different “markers”.

                                    The new map is located under a new tab at the top of the photo booth website (www.culverphotobooth.com) called Places.

                                    Though there are only 7 places listed right now, this map should populate much more in the coming months.

                                    Warsaw Indiana- Lincoln Elementary School Family Carnival

                                      Tonight I traveled to Warsaw, Indiana with the photo booth to participate in the Lincoln Elementary School Family Carnival. It was a blast seeing the little kids having a ball with the booth! They went nuts over the photo booth and really enjoyed themselves. I had a line at the booth almost the entire evening with the props being a huge hit and almost every child using them.

                                      I’ve posted the photos to- http://www.culverphotos.com/3_15_13_warsaw

                                      Photo Booth Update – New Props

                                        By request, we’ve added some new props to our line-up of goofy items for the photo booth. We now now mustaches on a stick! Be sure to look for them at our upcoming events.

                                        Atrium Dorm Party

                                          On Sunday, our contest winner from before the holidays collected her prize of a free photo booth rental. Our prize winner donated the rental to her daughter’s winter dorm party which had food, music and the photo booth. The booth was a huge hit with the girls with a total of 97 groups getting photos in the booth. A few of the girls that had enjoyed the booth a few weeks ago in at the Relay for Life Kick-off, had commented that they liked the new interface where they could select how many photo strips to print based on the number of people in the booth. All the photos are posted at:

                                          http://www.culverphotos.com/2_10_13_atrium

                                          Warsaw Bridal Show

                                            Earlier today, I went to Warsaw to participate in the Warsaw Bridal Show. Being Super Bowl Sunday, I wasn’t sure how the show would be attended. Thankfully, it was busy most of the day. I met a lot of people and showed the booth to numerous future brides. I’ve posted the photos from the show to-
                                            http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_warsaw_bridal

                                            Newspaper Article

                                              In this week’s Plymouth Pilot and Culver Citizen, there is a great write up about the new photo booth. Feel free to read it at- http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/culver-photo-booth-brings-old-fashioned-fun-21st-century

                                              Photo Booth- New Interface!

                                                After a week of working on it, I’ve created a new interface for the photo booth!

                                                At the last event with the photo booth, I realized how many people went into the booth with more than two people. The booth is large, and, as it turns out, groups of 3-8 people was more common than couples or two friends. This posed a problem because I wanted everyone in the booth to get a photo strip and the default set-up only printed two photo strips. (I had to manually force the software to print additional copies by typing some keys on the computer that runs the booth. Printing additional copies for people was time consuming and labor intensive.)

                                                Though it might sound simply, changing the interface was a very difficult task. In hindsight, it was much more involved than I had anticipated. All totaled, it required creating close to 60 directories and 60 xml files that all had to synced properly. Changing one item, required changing all the xml files. It was not easy.

                                                Below is the new interface. When you select an option, that option lights up. If you change your mind, you simply select something different. Once you are happy with your selections, you go to the live preview to make sure that everyone will show up in the photo.

                                                 

                                                Below is the old interface. It did not allow for multiple prints.

                                                 

                                                After Prom Booking!

                                                  We’ve booked the photo booth for one of the area’s local school’s After Prom. In early May, we’ll have our booth at Oregon Davis High School for their After Prom events. It will be a late night, but I think the students will enjoy the booth. Have a Prom or After Prom event that you’d like the photo booth at? Call us at 574-842-2000.

                                                  Realy for Life Kick-Off- Update

                                                    I wanted to provide an update about the Relay for Life kick-off. The date was changed from the 12th to this Saturday the 19th. The event will be held at Culver Academies’ Dining Center from 7:30-10:00 PM. I will be at the event with the photo booth setup and all my props. If you are on campus, be sure to drop by. It should be a great event as they are expecting around 200 people to attend.

                                                    Marshall County Bridal Expo

                                                      Today, Ginny and I participated in the Marshall County bridal expo that was hosted by Treats Bridal Shop in Plymouth, IN. Unlike the bigger shows in South Bend and Elkart, this smaller show made it possible to interact with brides and their friends/families. In addition to some of our photography work, we had our photo booth there so that people could try it out. We had a lot of fun working the event and booked some 2013 events that we look forward to working!

                                                      Photos from the event are posted to: http://www.culverphotos.com/2013_treats_bridal

                                                      Culver Academies Relay for Life Kick-Off

                                                        Earlier today, I committed to having the photo booth at Culver Academies Relay for Life Kick-Off on January 12th. If you are around, be sure to stop in and have some fun in the photo booth.

                                                        Update- The Photo Booth is Completed!

                                                          Today I receive word from the manufacture that the booth is completed. It will be shipped (via freight) and will arrive at my office in 7-10 days.

                                                          Contest Winner!

                                                            We have a winner in our first photo booth rental contest! Mrs. Stackhouse was the lucky winner in our holiday contest. Using a random number generator, we selected our winner at midnight on Thanksgiving night. Mrs. Stackhouse is graciously donating her winning rental to Culver Academies’ Atrium Dorm which her daughter is in.

                                                            CGM Photography has a Photo Booth!

                                                              After thinking about adding a photobooth for over two years, we’ve finally settled on one that we feel produces the best photo quality. Earlier today (October 31), we ordered the booth, and it will be here in 3-4 weeks! We are already booking dates so if you are interested in an event, let us know. For more information, please explore the links at the top of this page.