Meet The Team | Max

What makes Photomatica special is our people. We’re a crew of vintage enthusiasts with a knack for the cool and quirky, all about the old-school vibes and capturing epic memories. Meet Max, our lead builder and the creative genius behind the craftsmanship and innovation in every booth we produce. Max is the mastermind of all things mechanical and electrical, ensuring that each booth preserves its nostalgic charm while delivering the best modern experience possible.

Max’s work goes far beyond just assembling parts; he’s the one meticulously soldering, wiring, welding and designing, blending vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. Whether restoring a rare analog photo booth to its original glory or crafting brand-new creations, Max brings unmatched dedication and artistry to his craft.

We caught up with Max to dive into his journey at Photomatica, his favorite projects, and what inspires him as he continues to preserve and celebrate photo booth culture.

What sparked your interest in building photo booths, and how did you get started with Photomatica?

Building photo booths interested me at first because of how obscure it was and I was curious what it would be like. I was looking to stop doing solar installations, and when I learned about this job I had to find out more since I had never heard of another job like this.

Can you walk us through your process when building one of our booths? What’s your favorite part of bringing these vintage-inspired creations to life?

There's quite a few steps and I can't reveal any of my secrets. My favorite part though is working on the electronics that go inside the booth; soldering parts together and wiring lights, as well as managing the cables to keep the inside of the cabinet neat. 

Is there a particular build or project that stands out as your favorite or most challenging? What made it memorable?

One of the projects I'm most proud of is a restoration we did recently, we updated a Photome Model 17 that had been converted to a digital booth. This booth was special since it has a cool looking, unique, laminate that isn't made anymore, which we were able to peel some of off the back wall and re-use on the new wall we added to the front of the booth, preserving the original look.

Photomatica’s booths have such a distinct, nostalgic vibe. How do you balance preserving that vintage feel with the need for modern functionality?

I try to keep most of the improvements to functionality inside of the booths. All of the improvements we'll make in terms of aesthetics are to try and replicate the look and feel of the vintage booths, but we're always working to improve the technology in the booth to give people the best experience possible.

When you’re not building, what are some hobbies or interests that keep your creativity flowing?

I like to run and hike, go camping, go to concerts, read, and spend time with my friends and family. 

What does it mean to you to be a part of preserving photo booth culture?

To me it means a way to experience meeting all these interesting, creative people who I wouldn't get to otherwise, and learning so much about how to make and restore interactive art. 

What’s the most surprising or unexpected thing you’ve learned about photo booths during your time with Photomatica?

I was surprised to learn that prisons would use photo booths to take mug shots of people coming in, it's completely the opposite of how I think of people using photo booths. 

What advice would you give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in building or crafting in a creative field like yours?

I'm not sure if my advice is very helpful for this as I didn't go to school for anything related to building or design. But I would say to try and find an opportunity where problem solving using tools is required, and try to learn from as many people as are willing to teach you. All the different techniques and ways to do things people offer can be valuable, especially when you have more information and experience to compare them against.

You’re currently learning the craft of welding. Can you tell us a little bit more about that? What interests you about welding and how does it uplift your work with Photomatica? 

I’ve been taking welding classes at Laney Community College, and I’m planning to enroll in another next semester. These classes have been incredibly rewarding—I’ve gained hands-on experience with different welding techniques and developed a deep appreciation for the craft. I love how welding creates such strong, durable connections, making it possible to bring truly incredible designs to life.

Although I don’t currently handle the welding for Photomatica, I’ve learned so much from collaborating with our trusted fabricator, Joel Hirschfeld. Joel is a master of his craft and an all-around amazing person. Working with him has been both inspiring and educational, and his expertise plays a vital role in bringing our photo booths to life.