The Photo Booth, the precursor to the “Selfie”.
Now in this day in age photo booths while fun at weddings (we had one at ours), are mostly sitting empty in malls across the world. There is just no need for them with camera’s on our phones to document every moment in our lives. However in days gone by, the photo booth was popular by all walks of life to capture whatever moment in life they wanted (no different from what we do today).
Therefore for today’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday‘ I wanted to showcase various photo booth photos that were taken by kids, lovers, friends and families. Photos that would of eventually ended up in wallets, on dresser tables and on walls, reminding the subject or the holder of the image of a special moment in time.
Let’s begin!
Further Reading: Vintage Photo Booth Images β Part 2
1950s Photo. Source: eBay
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Vintage Photos of People in a Photobooth
1930’s – 1950’s
Young couple in love. Vintage photo Late 1940s Early 1950s young woman and soldier in photo booth.
1945 Chicago International Sportsmens Show. Twins I believe in the photos.
Late 1940s, early 1950s vintage photo booth image of two young women posing together.
Source: Etsy
Not sure what the numbers on the hats mean, but it’s a fun 1930s vintage photo of these two ladies (possibly something to do with their school?).
Capturing the special moments. Like a Graduation! Great Smile!
Mountains and hair bows. 1940s Photo of a pretty woman wearing a very classic 1940s Hairstyle.
“Red”. The hat photo is a good one. Vintage Arcade Photo Booths circa 1940s.
1940’s side profile beauty.
Source: eBay
The little girl with the pretty hair (Check out the Milk Maid Braid. Cool!). Circa 1930s/1940s.
1930’s photo of a dapper man, mastering the art of the “side profile”.
Look into the camera and give your best “don’t mess with me impression”. Mission accomplished. The young woman is wearing a pretty hair flower in her 1940s Hairstyle. I like it!
A 1944 photo of a happy sailor.
“Look Mom, I have a baby!” A proud dad showing off his little son.
Two goofy Soldiers having a good time circa 1940s.
The Summer of Love. 1940s Photo booth image of a young couple capturing a moment in time.
A big smile for the camera-1940s beauty with the most fantatic 1940s Hairstyle. Great Inspiration for the perfect 1940s look!
Question Time: Do you like photo booths? Have any fun memories? Share in the comments below!
Further Reading: Make sure you visit my archive of Vintage Photo blog posts HERE.
Liz
Thank you for sharing these rare finds. I feel like I get to go back in time to their special moment. Love them π
And that is how I feel too and why I like to share the photos. To step out of our world and into theirs for a moment. Thanks for stopping by Michelle π
I laughed at those goofy soldiers and love that last image as well. I used to go to photo booths as a teen, so I must have at least a couple dozen black and white strips, as well as some in the past few years. It’s a great place to be silly and have an excuse to make several poses, like Red did.
Photo booths are the perfect place for goofy fun. At our wedding, we had over 850 photos taken in the booth. I think my guests spent more time there then on the dance floor! It was funny to watch the photos go from somewhat serious to darn right hilarious as the open bar took hold of the guests lol!
850! That’s amazing. I can totally imagine how the pics would have evolved over the night. We had an open bar, and few took advantage of it. I think I’m still miffed! π A friend set disposable cameras on each table so guests could take pics, but nearly every one turned out dark and grainy–and that’s when I had to PAY to develop them.
Ugh that sucks on both things. After being at a wedding one year where the camera’s were on the table and I saw the things people were doing with them, I was like NOPE, not happening at mine! lol
Wonderful photos, as always! So many special moments in people’s lives. I love the two of ‘Red’, particularly the one where he’s pulling a funny face. It’s so sad that photo booths are so rare these days, they were such a joy to mess about in when we were kids. xx
Thanks Cate! Photo booths are the best, but sadly times change. Sigh…. At least there are awesome pictures from others to look back on π
These are super. Thanks for sharing.
No problem! Have a great week Kate-Em π
I know the booths were “everywhere” in the 1940s but I’m trying to find a reference that will tell me where SPECIFICALLY. In Manhattan. Of course Grand Central and Penn Station. But where else? Thanks
Hi there,
That is really out of my research skills. Maybe try New York Archives? Reach out to experts there?
Good luck!
Liz