Meet The Team | Matt

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 Matt Dewalt, co-founder and chief memory maker. Matt is the brains and heart behind Photomatica, bringing a deep love for all things vintage and a flair for creating unforgettable experiences.

Matt’s journey with Photomatica started from a genuine passion for retro aesthetics and a desire to capture moments in the most authentic way possible. He’s not just the owner; he's the driving force that gives Photomatica its unique vibe. With a sharp eye for detail, Matt ensures every photo booth we offer is a masterpiece of vintage charm.

During the week, Matt can be found in the workshop with his pup, Peanut, brainstorming new ways to elevate our services, or sharing stories about the history and magic of each booth. His dedication and creativity are what make our photo booths the centerpiece of any event, from weddings to parties and beyond.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started with photobooths?

I grew up in the vibrant city of Houston after my early years in Tennessee. My dad instilled in me the value of a dollar from a young age. I’d catch and sell turtles to exotic pet stores and scour the neighborhood for aluminum cans—each pound netting me a cool 50 cents! My goal? To save up for baseball cards, of course. I went to the University of Tennessee and then took my studies across the Atlantic for grad school in Europe. When I landed in San Francisco, I crashed on a friend’s futon, worked as a valet, and had a few “real jobs” before Doug invited me to dive into the world of photo booths. And that’s where the adventure began, and we’ve been rolling with it ever since.

2. How has Photomatica evolved since its inception?

Photomatica began as an event rental venture, bringing photobooths to the coolest spots around the Bay Area and beyond—think LA, DC, and NYC. We had a breakthrough when we placed a “permanent” booth at El Rio in the Mission, which kickstarted our focus on embedding booths in bars and hotels. The real game-changer came when we stumbled upon a 1940s Auto-Photo Model 9 in the Hollywood Hills. We bought it, restored it, and fell head over heels for vintage analog booths. Now, we’re not just renting booths for events (only in California), but we’re also creating custom vintage-inspired booths for public spaces and lovingly restoring old beauties. Our mission is to keep the magic of photobooths alive and well.

3. What have been some key milestones or turning points for the company that made you and Doug realize this was going to take off?

We never really had a "lightbulb" moment where we knew it would all take off, but there were certainly pivotal moments. Early on, getting calls from big names like Wired Magazine, Dropbox, and Google was a major boost. The rental peak came when Jimmy Fallon hired us to set up a booth on the red carpet at the Golden Globes. That felt pretty special. As we started our vending business, we were knocking on bar doors, offering top-notch photo booths for free to get our foot in the door. A huge turning point was when the 49ers reached out for a custom booth for Levi’s VIP Lounge. But the real game-changer was Chrissy Teigen tagging us on Instagram after buying one of our restored analog booths. That post sparked a wave of interest and helped us survive Covid, leading to a boom in our restoration business. Social media has been a game-changer!

4. How do you source and restore these vintage photobooths to their original glory?

Finding vintage photobooths is like hunting for treasure. After Photome’s bankruptcy in the aughts, countless booths were dumped in landfills, leaving only scattered gems in barns and attics. At Photomatica, we have a knack for resurrecting these relics. Our goal is to place these vintage booths around the Bay Area for everyone to enjoy, turning our backyard into a haven for photobooth enthusiasts and a place for kids to discover the magic of these old machines. We’re even opening a storefront soon where folks can compare vintage and modern booths, making it a fun experience for everyone!

5. What has been your favorite day at Photomatica to date?

Picking a favorite day is tough! Doug and I cherish our team gatherings, like Giants games and our annual beach trips. One standout memory was five or six years ago when we brought eight photo booths to the Snapchat NYE party in LA. We stayed in a Hollywood Hills house - it was a blast. Our goal is to turn Photomatica’s opportunities into memorable experiences for our team, creating a work environment that’s the complete opposite of a dead-end job.

6. What is your go-to pose in the photobooth?

I keep it simple with a smile. Doug is the one who nails the 20-pose extravaganza. But me? Just a genuine grin for the camera.

7. How do you balance preserving the authenticity of the photobooths with integrating modern technology?

Vintage is our jam. We love the charm and character of old booths, each with its own history of joyful moments. When we create our vintage-inspired, digital-print booths, we draw from the post-war craftsmanship of the '40s and '50s. We believe in building things to last, just like back in the day. Our booths are designed to provide high-quality photos while offering a magical experience behind the curtain. Each booth is custom-built to seamlessly fit its venue, creating a unique and enchanting space for every user.

8. Living in SF, where can we find you on the weekends?

My weekends are a mix of family fun and relaxation. I used to run in Golden Gate Park and surf regularly, but now I’m often at the park or pool with my wife, Kirsten, and son, Charlie. We also make it a point to escape to the beach in Mexico whenever we can.

9. Besides Photomatica, what’s your biggest passion?

Travel is my ultimate passion. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. There’s nothing like looking forward to upcoming trips. Traveling with my wife is amazing, and we’re figuring out how to navigate this passion with our two-year-old and our 12-pound dog, Peanut. We spend summers driving to Colorado and dream of returning to Europe, though we haven’t quite tackled that challenge with Charlie yet.