Our Roll ‘a’ Booth was the first in our region of Greater Geelong. Since releasing this caravan photobooth in January 2014, it has become extremely popular. People are always looking for something unique for an event. We had found our niche in the market. But, there’s only so many events one vintage caravan can do. We started to turn down multiple events, then we got to thinking….it’s time for number 2.
Buying our first seemed so much easier. It was before the “boom” of vintage caravans being turned into anything and everything. But not now. Things seemed to be very expensive and overpriced for that “vintage” label. Already owning an old bondwood caravan, we sought after an aluminium van, no bigger than 11-12ft. A vision to give this one a completely different look but with the same functionality.
So we finally found one locally, at the Mill Markets. To say this van needed a little TLC would have been a massive understatement. But, who doesn’t like a challenge right? We set off to complete this mammoth task within the busiest month of the year, and to finish it all within 4-5 weeks.
We parked it up in Mum and Dad’s shed and moved our belongings and children in. This was home for the next few weeks.
As soon as we gutted this van, we knew we’d bitten off far more than we could chew. Seems to be a familiar story with us! We had to rebuild it section by section so it didn’t fall to the ground. We reframed from the inside, keeping as much of the aluminium intact as possible. We also had to ensure all parts, fittings and fixtures were ordered ahead of time, so we didn’t fall short of our completion date. As it turns out, we had to reframe, buy new windows, new floor, new walls, new trims, rewire and buy all new lighting and fittings, new tyres, new jockey wheel, exterior paint work, artwork and then of course there was the interior design and the construction on the operating photobooth. All in all, it would have been more cost and time effective to have built one from scratch. Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing?!
Fast forward 5 weeks and we did it. We literally worked night and day, every spare second. We even had the bags under our eyes and aching bodies to prove it. But nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment with a sexy new “Little Black Booth” joining our possie. We have always received such positive feedback about our other booths, but nothing compares to the reactions when people step inside our caravans. This booth was no different. If we had a dollar for every time someone has said “This is the best photo booth I have ever seen!”, we could probably retire (well, almost!). This is exactly why we do what we do. We hope to continually create new ways to deliver photobooths and memories within.
Be sure to check out the before, during and after pics.
Caley Lister
