Amid the changes the world is facing in 2020, the NK Bride team got in touch with some amazing wedding vendors with bright ideas about the future of the industry. We had the honor of speaking with Nicholas Rhodes, founder of OutSnapped, a photobooth and photography company that is pushing the limits of photo tech to bring new life to the online wedding experience. We spoke about their traditional products and services, as well as Nicholas’s ideas on the future of weddings to get a strong idea of the innovative nature of OutSnapped.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about what an interactive photo/video booth is? How does this differ from the traditional photo booth rental?
A: With the OutSnapped photo booths, the options are endless. Our interactive photo booths are programmed based on the clients needs. For some of our weddings, the couples will choose to have all the photos print on the traditional black and white strips. Our interactive booths allow interactive experiences with colors, filters, and backgrounds inside the booth, but program the output to all be cohesive in a black and white style. Our clients can choose anything though, from unique green screen backgrounds, to fun filters, the adaptability makes these interactive booths unique. Outside of still photos, the interactive booths allow voice messages and video clips, even giving us the ability to combine footage together creating a collective video after the event.
Q: What do you see for the future of virtual event hosting? How do you feel that virtual photo booths can unify people all over the globe?
A: As a globe we have been tied to barriers of date and time. We were more divided by countries, and I saw this first hand during my time working in the music industry. Release dates would vary based on countries, but with the connection of the internet the songs were always “leaked” in other countries before they were released. These new event technologies can help us to start breaking down these barriers, and allow connections to grow globally. Now your cousin in Europe, who wouldn’t have been able to attend your traditional IRL wedding, will have no issues being a part of your wedding day, as they can log in and take a photo or video wishing you well on the wedding day at any time. With these new benefits, virtual options are likely to become a part of the new normal. Our products and services are designed to exist long term, so we see the virtual photo booth as a continuing avenue for connectivity.
Q: Unfortunately many couples are cancelling in person weddings for 2020. What OutSnapped services can they use to engage guests who may watch their backyard services through skype or Zoom?
A: We recognized a need for innovative solutions for couples hosting weddings in today’s circumstances, and quickly responded by bringing our virtual photo booths to the market. Recreating the old is no longer a possibility, and we felt it best to recreate how guests experience the wedding photobooth. Our new tools make it fun and engaging no matter where in the world you are while accessing the booth. Our Virtual Photo Booth is a browser agnostic photo booth that is available on all devices. It even includes a photo upload function for those who may not feel comfortable with the webcam capture.
We feel the possibilities for this new technology are endless, from filters to questionnaires, to video memos, we see it as an experience that can be used in all new, and inventive, ways. The goal of this new service is to be more than a photobooth, to create a visual portal where loved ones can collect memories. Without the traditional limitations of time and place, everyone can share a memory from your wedding day!
We see this being an opportunity to extend the collection of memories from the save the date, to the morning after the wedding. With a simple QR code or clickable URL on your save the date, guests could begin sharing well wishes and wedding memories months before the big day. Our goal is to be able to capture the whole experience, and be able to then offer printing via mail options and our classic hardcover coffee table books that share the whole timeline of memories. We have to embrace these new challenges and use them as opportunities to grow our technology.
Q: Your virtual photo booths will allow guests unable to attend to contribute to the wedding day, do you see this as a potential option for the future of weddings? Do you feel couples will want to continue, post Covid, to use digital services like your virtual photo booth to involve more guests on the big day?
A: With the reopenings experiences will be new and different than ever before. Couples will have developed new ideas for wedding spaces, and weddings will likely shift to smaller, more intimate ceremonies. We expect to see smaller “dinner party” weddings, and virtual vows being shared with loved ones. These memories will need to be captured in new ways, and we have yet to discover how the tangible elements will be replaced. Our hope is that this new style of wedding will be fun, and maybe a little funny, and most importantly memorable.
Q: Once guests are able to celebrate in real life again, OutSnapped has some truly unique options. Can you explain how an augmented reality photo booth works to some of our less tech savvy couples?
A: To simplify, Augmented Reality (AR) is similar to snapchat filters. It is 3D engines with more sophisticated knowledge that allows us to add accessories, or stickers to photos and videos. Some of the fun ways we can use it for couples is to create custom bobbleheads of the bride and groom, or the couples pet. There are also video options, and virtual environments that complement green screen technology.
Q: For weddings, the couple will almost always have a hired photographer, how does outsnapped’s services add to the quality and quantity of images the couple receive after the big day?
A: There is a perceived tension between the photographer and the photobooth provider, but the truth is there doesn’t need to be. What our photo booths capture should be so different from the photographers images. As an experienced event photographer, I recognize the photographer's role to capture people in the moment. At OutSnapped we use our photography experience to create the moment. A photobooth recreates the same moment again and again, and provides a new way of capturing memories. We place your loved ones in a carefully designed space, creating a moment of energy. We provide the experience as well as capture the moment, which allows the outcome to compliment the photographer's work.
Q: Outsnapped is described as a photo booth experience, what all goes into creating these experiences? How does your consultation process work?
A: Our process for creating wedding experiences is not very different from our corporate events approach, goal first and designing process to meet the goal. When working with couples, we are aware that the end goal is to capture, and create a moment of nostalgia. This allows us to work with couples to choose filters and lenses that will create their desired look. Our couples usually come to us with an end result in mind (their goal), then we work backwards from there. Your average photo booth rental starts with a package, but OutSnapped brings our client’s vision to life, and the package will adapt to fit their needs.
As for our consultations, we love to work on custom experiences with couples that have a vision for their wedding. In the past some of our favorite special projects allowed us to incorporate, and push, the amazing capabilities of our interactive booths. In one of these projects a couple came to us with a request to film a personalized music video at their reception. We were able to create an interactive music video of guests dancing and smiling to the couples favorite songs.
Q: You offer a variety of photo booths and packages. What photo booth style would you recommend for a couple looking to create an engaging way for guests to create, and leave memories?
A: We offer a number of photo booth types, our three most popular are the FutureFoto, the Magbooth and the FotoRover. FutureFoto is our take on the modern open air photobooth, as our most popular option, it provides great quality images, and interactive features. For couples who want a traditional photo booth feel, the Magbooth allows the behind the curtain feel. Once the Magbooth curtain is drawn shut, we almost always hear guests giggle with their friends and family while creating lasting memories behind the curtain. Although more traditional, the Magbooth creates an intimate moment for the guests who experience it. The FotoRoveris a hybrid of FutureFoto, and an event photographer. The FotoRover travels around the reception and interacts with guests who may not be as mobile. The FotoRover is a great option for couples who want to engage their guests in the fun throughout the venue and not just inside a photo booth footprint.
Q: Outsnapped has custom options for creating photo booths. Could you tell me more about what that means? Is a custom designed booth or backdrop? Or is it a more flexible package?
A: At OutSnapped we work from a vision. Our goal is to interject creativity where we can, and bring our clients dreams to life. For custom booths we often incorporate green screen options into our traditional packages. This allows us to place guests in the couples favorite movies, or tv shows, or even place guests in unique environments like the beach, or space. Options are endless when we have a clear vision on what our couples want. In the past we’ve had great experiences incorporating the couples pets, or favorite characters from books and television into the background. Creating multiple options for the guests also gives some fun interactive customization.
Q: Are guests able to quickly access photos from the photo booths? How does quick sharing help to enhance the digital photo booth experience?
A: Events in NYC and around the globe are attended by guests who want to share their experiences in real time. Especially with the popularity of social media, guests love to share with their followers what is happening in their life. With the OutSnapped photo booths, guests can share in real time with their contacts and social media. We can instantly provide guests with digital copies, or physical prints of their photos at the event. This instant gratification adds the excitement of the experience. Couples can choose which options they want to make available to guests. In our experience we have noticed that age demographics respond differently to the photo output. Older generations seem to love the physical print, while guests age 14-22 are content with just the digital shared image. Our clients can choose which sharing option is best for their, and their guests' experience.
Q: For couples who want a traditional photo booth look, what unique differences can they expect renting your traditional style photo booth over other classic photo booths? How is modern technology still a part of these options?
A: Our traditional photo booths still have all the options. With a full touchscreen interface, or a one button setup, the traditional booths can be customized to fit your needs. The goal of our traditional photo booth style is to produce the look and feel of the classic, while incorporating modern technology. Because of the nature of a photo booth, we can use bigger cameras & lenses, stronger computers, and hide the printers all behind the body of the booth. There are more options in our traditional photo booth because of the available space it provides.
Q: What impact do you feel services like those provided by OutSnapped will have on the future of photography?
A: Our services will hopefully provide widespread access to these unique modern technologies. With the rise of celebrities using facetune, and other editing apps, we have seen an interest in using our AR abilities for face beautification and skin softening techniques. Using AR for these elements of photos helps everyone to feel unified, and the same, although we hope the time is coming soon of celebrating our unique differences and individual features. Regardless, tools like ours will bring successful technology into everyone's hands.
Some of our other responses to the corona virus is our Grad Photo Project. With many senior students not receiving a cap or gown, we are able to use 3D engines to place cap and gowns on seniors in photos. These technologies eliminate physical limitations, and will certainly continue to be adapted in the future of photography.
Q: Outsnapped understands that the selfie is an important element of how we record life today, how do you feel the selfie can evolve in the future? Do you think the boomerang selfie will be the next trend?
A: For weddings, we have seen the newer video options, like a boomerang, really add to the classic photos. As for the development of the selfie, the form and function will not change, but the added elements are likely to develop. As this new online format is so unique to anything that has ever been seen before we are excited to see how online selfie trends develop on their own.
Q: What is your advice for couples hosting an online wedding in 2020? How can they work with you to customise the virtual photo booth experience?
A: This is the time for us to have fun, and be creative. Right now we have the opportunity to redefine the wedding experience. Having a simple prompt for your online wedding can help engage guests. Maybe calling it a black tie zoom, or getting all your guests to wear one color. It’s very silly, but will create a conversation, or intention around the day. Also trying to find an online game or activity could be fun. Maybe having a virtual cocktail hour, or a costume contest where everyone submits a photo.
When working with us for your virtual wedding or photo booth, we want to capture the full experience. Pushing the limitations of what is currently possible is a big goal for us moving forward. We’d love to work with you to share a QR code with guests that can become your virtual portal for sharing all things wedding!
Q: As such an innovative brand you quickly responded to the new demands of 2020. How can we stay up to date with your new technology and innovations in photobooth experiences?
A: You can find more information about our brand on our website, and follow us on facebook and instagram @outsnapped! (will be linked in final post)
The virtual photo booth is accessible now! We are excited for people to use it, and would love for you to be one of the first couples that uses this amazing technology for the whole wedding experience. Talk to us soon about sharing Save the Dates with a personalised QR Code. We want to work with couples to revive the whole wedding process with out of the box ideas, and creative riffs on classics in reaction to the current times!
Cover Video credits: OutSnapped