Make Your Own Photobooth Station

Photo booths are a rightfully popular entertainment staple at parties. For big events, I highly suggest leaving it to the pros, but, if you're like me and just needed a simple set up for a house party, then here's how to do just that. The main thing you'll need to accomplish a pro-like quality photo is a light softbox.

What does a softbox do? It creates soft light on your subject. This is great for eliminating harsh shadows when using your traditional flash (which you'll still need to use for proper lighting). I positioned my softbox below my camera to create soft up lighting.

DIY Softbox Materials:

• Cardboard Box
• Tin Foil
• Scissors
• Tape
• White Fabric/White Gift Tissue Paper/White Garbage Sack
• Small Lamp (I used a desk lamp)
• Digital SLR camera with flash (small digital camera will work too, but not as effective)
• Tripod
• Remote Control ($15 on amazon.com)
• A plus, but not required, Adobe Light Room (find a screaming deal on the software here)

And Here are the INSTRUCTIONS on how to make your softbox.

Unfortunately, I did not have the foresight to take step by step photos, but here's my finished product. Note that I wrapped it in Christmas paper as well as my box props. It was a Christmas party after all...


I took a lot of trial and error shots to figure out the right combination of lighting and distance. There's such thing as too close and too far, so take pictures until you're happy with what you see in the screen.

I'm a photo hobbyist, so I wanted to edit the final pictures in LightRoom. The effect was better than the original shots. (this is why I say for important events, leave this to the pros). Here's a comparison of edited and un-edited:



So there you have it! If you've got the right tools, this is a really fun activity to offer at your party. If you don't have the tools, here are some of my favorite photo booth pros:

• Laura Marchbanks Photography
• Red Fish Blue Fish
• Phototainment

Paper Zone Deal THIS WEEKEND!

Click here for the event details!

A Big Thank You!

Thank you to all the vendors who participate, and then all the guests who made this party a smashing success!


Click here to view our photo booth shots hosted by patrick lennox wright photography


Party photos by Red Fish Blue Fish coming soon!

Bamboo Beats + The Invisible Hostess

And of course, visit our event website for information about all the participating vendors.

Choosing Live Music for your Event

Live music is a ton of fun for any celebration. If you budget allows (or if you make your budget allow) for it, it's worth every penny and a complete hoot! My favorite larger scale live band is The Michael Benson Band. Visit our facebook page to see a video from a wedding Sheena did on New Year's Eve. The covers they played were awesome. When Michael started singing Eminem's "Lose Yourself," I thought, "no way this will work." It was amazing!!




If you need a smaller band, the two man group, Kennedy Brothers, is a family favorite. We rock out to them at Fado's on the weekend and have had them at family weddings. Playing covers of hits from the 60s to the 90s, these guys are fantastic. A more casual vibe, but equally fun and fantastic.

Tallant House Tasting

One of our favorite pastry chefs, Tallant House, is offering a few different tasting dates. If you're still in the market for wedding cake or desserts (macaroons, smore's, etc!), Judy is great!!

From Judy...

Sun, Feb. 13, 11pm-2pm at Alexis Hotel, 1007 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98072

Sun, Feb. 27, 11pm-3pm at Novelty Hill Winery, 14710 NE Woodinville - Redmond Road NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
Sun, Mar. 27, 11pm-3pm at Novelty Hill Winery, 14710 NE Woodinville - Redmond Road NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
Sun, Apr. 17, 11pm-3pm at Novelty Hill Winery, 14710 NE Woodinville - Redmond Road NE, Woodinville, WA 98072

For the tasting at Alexis Hotel, enjoy a brunch or happy hour special, at Library Bistro - while also getting to see what a beautiful space the bistro is for rehearsal dinners, bridal teas, or other private events.

For the tasting at Novelty Hill, please feel free to join the winery in their intimate, relaxed tasting room to sample a selection of featured wines from Novelty Hill and Januik, hand-crafted by award-winning winemaker Mike Januik. Customize your tasting according to your wine preferences and cellar interests by selecting any four wines from one of the daily tasting experiences; the Columbia Valley tasting is available for $5 or the Limited Edition/Single Vineyard tasting for $10. Rustic, handmade Brick Oven Pizzas are also available every weekend for just $12 each. You will also get to see what a beautiful space the winery has for private events.

Please RSVP so that I and my hosts are adequately prepared.

For those of you not yet familiar, I create wedding cakes based on the French artisan style cake - or entremet. Additionally, I create dessert buffets of everything from whole tarts and entremets, to individual portion desserts, and mignardises. I also do myriad special requests, and will work with your caterer to develop a customized plated dessert.

Everything I do is based on a fine, old world French craftsmanship tradition and is custom. My ingredients are predominantly organic - local, fair trade, and sustainably produced where possible - and my methods are based on respectful stewardship of resources. Additionally, my kitchen is licensed.

Please don't hesitate to email me with questions or special requests.

In terms of menu, everything I do is custom. I am a pastry chef, rather than a cake decorator, and I think in terms of themes and flavor profiles:

Summer fruits

Chocolate with acid fruits like orange, lemon, raspberry, passion fruit

Berries

Citrus fruit

"Browns" - Kahlua, espresso, mocha, caramel, hazelnuts, pecans

Tropical fruit

Chocolate and lots of it

A favorite beverage like pina colada, Margarita

Favorite dessert like bananas foster, creamsicle, strawberry shortcake

Ethnic flavors, such as French, Middle Eastern, Italian, etc.

Desserts paired with wine and beer

If there is something special you want me to include that I might miss in the above list, please let me know. I will have a limited number of gluten free, dairy free, and vegan options. Please bring your ideas, photographs, and anything else you would like to talk about regarding your dessert.

Do you have your permits?

Information for WA State Food Handler Permit Classes

Information for a MAST 12 permit taught by ACT

Armadillo BBQ

Imagine a vintage truck pulling up to your event or corporate meeting pulling a smoking cooker behind it and slinging REALLY good BBQ. Armadillo BBQ not only does this, but they're team is refreshingly cool and fun to be around. I experienced them at the July Wedding Network USA meeting held at Radar Lake and I hope the TIH team and Armadillo will work together a lot more in the coming years.

And if you're not convinced yet:
Dinner for $11.95 per person? Yes, they can do that.