Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gregory Burt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gregory, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

VIP Photo Booth was born from a simple question we kept getting as photographers: “Do you offer a photo booth too?” At first, we didn’t – but after enough people asked, we decided to give it a shot. We figured, why not try one and see how it goes?

That one booth quickly turned into two. Then four. And before we knew it, the demand exploded. People loved having a fun, stylish booth that delivered great photos, not just cheesy prints. We realized we were onto something.

The shift made sense. We already had an eye for capturing moments, knew how to work with lighting, and understood what made guests feel comfortable in front of a camera. Offering a photo booth wasn’t just a side hustle – it became a natural extension of what we were already passionate about.

What excited us most was creating a guest experience that matched the quality and vibe of the events we were photographing. VIP Photo Booth grew out of that blend: professional photography roots mixed with playful, engaging energy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We’re VIP Photo Booth, a Minneapolis and St. Paul-based company that started back in 2009. At the time, we were photographers working weddings and events, and we kept getting asked the same question: “Do you offer a photo booth?” At first, the answer was no. But eventually, we gave it a shot – and that one booth quickly turned into two, then four, and it just kept growing from there.

Because we came from a photography background, we brought a different level of quality and care to the photo booth world. We understood lighting, timing, and how to make people feel comfortable in front of a camera. So instead of tossing up a booth with cheap props and hoping for the best, we created something more intentional – an experience that people actually looked forward to.

Today, we offer a wide range of photo and video experiences. From open-air booths and vintage-style prints to glam booths, green screen setups, 360 video booths, audio guest books, and branded corporate activations, we’re built to scale with the event. Whether it’s a high-end wedding or a national brand activation, we bring the same level of detail and professionalism every time.

What sets us apart is the combination of polished visuals, rock-solid service, and a team that enjoys what we do. We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built – not just for delivering amazing results, but for being easy to work with, fast to respond, and fun to have at an event. We’ve worked thousands of events over the years, and we’ve heard over and over again from clients that we were one of the best decisions they made.

At the end of the day, we help people celebrate. We help companies connect with their audiences. And we make sure every person who steps into our booth walks away with something they’re excited to share. That’s what we do – and we love it.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like many small businesses, we were blindsided when COVID hit. Our entire business – VIP Photo Booth – relies on live events, in-person interaction, and gathering people together. Suddenly, gatherings were not only discouraged but literally illegal under Minnesota’s emergency executive orders. Between the state-mandated shutdowns, curfews, and restrictions on events of any size, we went from a packed calendar to a full stop almost overnight.

It was scary. There was no roadmap for what to do when your entire industry vanishes in a matter of days.

We had two choices: wait it out, or pivot. So we got to work. We shifted toward virtual booths, contactless photo experiences, and branded content activations that could be used in online conferences or marketing campaigns. We also used the downtime to overhaul our gear, rethink how we deliver value, and train up our team so we’d come back stronger.

That period forced us to stop coasting on momentum and get really intentional about how we ran the business. We came out of it more focused, more flexible, and better prepared to adapt when things change – because they always will.

Looking back, it was one of the hardest moments we’ve faced, but also one of the most important. It taught us how to survive, evolve, and stay connected to what matters: creating experiences people love, no matter the format.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

Yes, we do. Alongside VIP Photo Booth’s event-based rentals, we operate PhotoBoothSupport.com, a separate 24/7 technical-support service for other booth owners. The support arm sells recurring monthly plans at several tiers—Emergency, Premium, and Enterprise—that give operators round-the-clock phone, text, and remote-login help for everything from software crashes to printer jams. We also earn revenue from one-off emergency sessions, AI-powered troubleshooting through our “Boothie” chatbot, paid training videos, and physical “crash-kits” stocked with spare parts and cables that can be shipped same day.

Because support is subscription-based and not tied to the event calendar, it steadies cash-flow during slower booking months. It lets us leverage the troubleshooting expertise we already need for our own fleet, while giving fellow operators peace of mind they can reach a real technician any hour of the week. In short, the photo-booth rentals remain our flagship, but the support platform provides a diversified second engine that keeps revenue coming in whether booths are out at events or not.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vip-booths.com