The Crew Behind – Photo Corner
Long before I started my own journey in the photobooth industry — over a decade ago — I remember stumbling across a website that stopped me in my tracks: Photo Corner. Based in Sydney, their clean styling, creative approach, and beautifully curated brand stood out in a sea of sameness. I’ve admired their aesthetic ever since. At the heart of it all is Renae McDonald, the talented Owner and Director of Photo Corner, whose eye for detail and passion for meaningful experiences have helped shape one of the most iconic photobooth brands in Australia.
Website: www.photocorner.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/photocornersydney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/photocornersydney
Tell me your story, what sparked your initial interest in starting a photo booth business? Was there a defining moment?
I actually stumbled into the world of photo booth business quite serendipitously! As a photographer with a background in e-commerce fashion and events, I found the perfect mix of my skills to dive into this fun venture.
It all started at a friend’s engagement party where I decided to set up a mini studio set, and to my delight, it was a huge hit with everyone! The positive feedback and word-of-mouth referrals really fuelled the growth of my business.
With each event, I learned to fine-tune the booth, focus on spreading the word through marketing and networking, and before I knew it, my little side hustle blossomed into my full-time gig. It’s been a fantastic journey blending my passion for photography with the joy of capturing special moments for others through the magic of a photo booth!
What were you both doing before the world of boothing? Did you have experience in running a business, or is Photo Corner your first business venture?
After studying photography in college, I found myself working in the world of e-commerce fashion and product photography. But before all that, I was juggling gigs in hospitality and events to fund my college escapades and scratch that travel itch.
When it comes to running a business, I honestly had zero experience – I was totally green and probably a bit naive! I used to believe it was a piece of cake but oh boy, was I in for a surprise! The countless sacrifices and stress-filled nights were certainly eye-opening, but looking back, I think my naivety might have been a lucky charm because had I known how tough it was, I might have hesitated. Nonetheless, I’m thankful for every moment because it has been an incredible learning journey. I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge not just about business, but also about myself and life. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Photo Corner has been a well-established photo booth business for many years, and in my opinion, it has always had a strong brand and an inspiring style. What do you believe is the key to building a powerful brand presence in the photo booth industry?
Aw, thank you, that really means a lot! I think the biggest thing when it comes to building a strong brand is just staying true to your own style and vision. There’s so much noise out there, especially on socials, and it can be easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. But I’ve always tried to keep my head down, focus on what feels right for us, and build something that reflects our vibe and values.
I’m definitely not anti-trend, I love a good trend! But I’m pretty selective. If something feels aligned with our brand and speaks to the kind of clients we love working with, then I’m all for it. But I try not to jump on every new thing just for the sake of it.
At the end of the day, the goal is always to create a smooth, thoughtful, and memorable experience for our couples and clients. We want them to feel completely taken care of and to walk away from their event thinking, “That was so fun.”
Honestly, getting to do this work, with such amazing people (clients and team!), is the best part. I feel super lucky that we’ve found our groove and that it really resonates with the people we love working with most.
As a business that has thrived for many years, what challenges have you encountered while growing your company?
Oh gosh, where do I begin? From equipment failing at critical moments and printer jams during events, to dealing with unexpected mishaps like broken ankles, and managing the logistical hurdles of city loading docks and parking, countless late nights – these are just a few of the challenges that have marked our journey. Balancing the pressures of workload and financial obligations, and managing uncertainties, especially intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, amidst these challenges, the pandemic forced us to re-evaluate our operations, leading to positive changes that streamlined our business practices.
In the early days of expanding from a one-person operation to managing multiple booths and staff, I encountered a steep learning curve. More recently, merging the demands of family life with running a business has been quite a struggle. Figuring out when to pass tasks on to others while juggling personal and work responsibilities is an ongoing process that I’m still working through.
What do you think sets a successful photo booth business apart from one that struggles to grow?
I believe that a successful photo booth business is a mix of several factors. Having a resilient mindset, being willing to take risks, and being driven to innovate are all crucial. Successful businesses aren’t afraid to embrace new trends and technologies to stay ahead of the game. Rather than simply competing on price, they prioritize building a strong brand, improving their offerings, refining their marketing strategies, mastering their craft, and consistently elevating the quality of their services to stand out in a competitive market.
If you could only have one type of prop in your photo booth for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Oh, that’s a tough one! If I could only have one type of prop in my photo booth for the rest of my life, it would have to be our flamingo prop. It’s been with us for 10 years and it’s the perfect mix of fun, colorful, and just a little bit quirky.
If you could only use one backdrop in your whole collection, which would it be?
Plain pink… my absolute favourite 🙂
