Who doesn't love a photo booth? On September 12, 2026, Velvet Booth Co brought the Vintage Photo Booth Experience 1.0 to the media night for Solette Rooftop, days before the restaurant opened to the public on September 15 in Seattle's South Lake Union. Commissioned by Onni, the developer that owns the building, the booth gave every guest a private, branded photo moment, and every strip carried the Solette logo.
The Content Creators Shared It
Media night brought together Seattle content creators from across the city, along with press and partners. Many posted their photo strips and booth shots to their own feeds. Because every strip carried the Solette logo, each post doubled as a mention of the restaurant, days before it opened to the public.
About Solette Rooftop
Solette sits on the 13th floor of the Level Hotel at 110 Boren Ave N, seating about 225 guests across indoor and outdoor terraces with views of the Space Needle, Lake Union, and Puget Sound. The upscale-casual menu covers steak, sushi, pasta, burgers, and salads, and the restaurant is open to hotel guests and the public. It's the second Solette, following the Chicago original.
The Photo Booth Experience
Guests stepped into a private, enclosed booth with consistent lighting, so photos looked polished no matter the light on the rooftop. Each session produced a Solette-branded photo strip, and guests chose how to take it home:
Text it straight to their phone
Email it to themselves
Print it on the spot as a keepsake
That mix mattered. Digital delivery made posting instant, and the printed strip gave guests something physical to hold, which is exactly what makes a strip photograph well for a feed.
Why a Photo Booth Works for a Restaurant Launch
It gets people talking. A booth on the floor draws a crowd and breaks the ice.
Guests actually use it. Privacy encourages people who skip open photo walls to jump in.
Branding travels. Every strip and shared photo carries the logo beyond the venue.
Guests create the content. Media night attendees leave with something worth posting.
It can capture contacts when photos are delivered by text or email.
The Photo Booth Comeback: Why It Works Right Now
Photo booths are having a moment, and the forecasts agree. Independent market research firms project steady growth for the industry, with Global Market Insights expecting an 8.8% annual growth rate from 2025 to 2034, Straits Research projecting 9.6% growth through 2033, and Future Market Insights forecasting 9.3% growth through 2036. Analysts point to the popularity of social media and the desire for instant photo sharing as key drivers. These are forecasts, not guarantees, but they point to continued growth through 2027 and beyond. Photo Booth Market Size & Share, Growth Forecasts 2025-2034 +3
Why we think guests love them
It's tangible. In a world of endless digital photos, a printed strip is something you can hold.
It's an experience. A booth session is a few minutes of shared fun that ends with a keepsake.
It's built for the feed. The strip format is instantly recognizable, so guests photograph and post it.
It feels private. Stepping into an enclosed booth lets people relax and play, even at a busy event.
Why it works for brands and openings
Guests do the sharing. People post strips they're proud of, and the logo goes with them.
The branding travels. Every strip carries your name beyond the venue.
It suits launches. Corporate activations are one of the main sources of booth demand in the U.S., alongside wedding rentals. Future Market Insights
Why it works for brands and openings
It gives guests a reason to share. People post strips they're proud of, and the logo goes with them.
It goes beyond entertainment. Features like AR increase dwell time and engagement and position brands as technology leaders. Digital Centre
It suits launches. Social sharing and experiential marketing are among the drivers behind growing photo booth rentals for events and brand promotions. Marketgrowthreports
At Solette's media night, that's exactly what happened: creators posted their branded strips, and the restaurant showed up in their feeds before opening day.
Planning a Restaurant Launch or Event in Greater Seattle?
From media nights and grand openings to tenant events, product launches, and holiday parties, an enclosed photo booth gives guests something to do and gives your brand something to be seen in. Velvet Booth Co serves the Greater Seattle area & beyond.
Curious how one of our photo booth experiences can help create engagement, increase traffic and brand awareness? We’d love to help! Explore our experiences below.
FAQ
What is an enclosed photo booth?
An enclosed photo booth creates a more private, immersive experience for guests, with controlled lighting and a nostalgic feel while still offering modern customization and instant sharing.
Are photo booths good for grand openings and media events?
Yes. Photo booths give guests an interactive experience while creating shareable content and a keepsake from the event. We’ve been part of several grand openings and have seen firsthand how naturally guests gravitate toward the experience.
Can you add custom branding to photo strips?
Yes. Logos, colors, event details, and other design elements can be incorporated into the photo experience to complement your event or brand.
How do guests get their photos?
Depending on the experience selected, guests can receive printed photo strips and access digital copies for easy sharing.
Can an enclosed photo booth work for brand activations and media events?
Absolutely. Our enclosed booths can be customized to complement the look and feel of your event, creating an interactive experience that feels intentional to the brand rather than separate from it.
How much does a Seattle photo booth rental cost?
Our Photo booth experiences begin at $750, with our enclosed experiences priced separately based on the booth and event needs.
