We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Corral recently and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My very first client was actually a coworker, and her wedding ended up being my very first event. She believed in my business from the very beginning, and since then I’ve done three of her events. That wedding was such a special milestone because it gave me the chance to create content, capture fun behind-the-scenes moments, and show people the experience I was building. From that point forward, things just started to grow. Having someone trust me right away gave me the confidence I needed, and it was the foundation for the brand I’ve been building ever since.

Valerie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the owner of Pure Luxe Photo Booth, a luxury photo booth rental company based in Southern California. I’ve always loved photo booths and made sure they were a part of every event I planned. Back in 2015, I was so close to launching this business that I even created an Instagram page, but I never pulled the trigger. It wasn’t until nearly ten years later that Pure Luxe officially came to life, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the clients who trust my brand and invite us to be part of their celebrations.

At Pure Luxe, we currently offer two distinct experiences: our Studio Booth, which delivers high-quality prints, luxury backdrops, and custom designs, and our Digital Selfie Booth, which brings instant digital sharing and interactive fun. We’re also excited to be releasing a brand-new booth very soon, and we now offer luxury flower wall rentals to elevate event spaces even further. Our enhancements, like the Glam filter and Audio Guestbook, give clients unique and creative ways to capture memories beyond photos.

What sets us apart is our attention to detail and dedication to the client experience. From matching template designs to wedding invitations to curating backdrops that complement event décor, every element is crafted to feel thoughtful and elevated. I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with couples, planners, and clients who come back to us for multiple events.

At the heart of Pure Luxe is the belief that a photo booth should do more than take pictures. It should create joy, spark connection, and leave guests with keepsakes they’re excited to share. My goal is to continue growing Pure Luxe while staying true to the standard of elegance, fun, and personal touch that has defined our brand from the very beginning.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I first started Pure Luxe, I knew social media would be key to getting my brand out there, especially in the wedding and events industry. I never posted just to post. Every piece of content was intentional and on brand. I focused on creating content that felt both beautiful and authentic, sharing not only polished event photos but also behind the scenes moments that showed the personality of the brand. Consistency was a big part of it, even when my audience was small. Over time, that consistency built trust and helped me reach people who were truly excited about what I offer.

My advice for anyone just starting to build a social media presence is to stop waiting for things to be perfect. Start posting, even if it’s simple. Share your process, your story, and your passion because people connect with authenticity more than perfection. Engage with your audience, show up regularly, and remember that building a following is about building relationships, not just numbers.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the biggest tests of my resilience came during the early months of my business when bookings were slow and I began to doubt myself. I had invested so much time and money into Pure Luxe, but there were moments when it felt like nothing was working. Instead of giving up, I leaned into learning, refining my brand, and staying consistent even when the results weren’t immediate.

Over time, my persistence paid off. I began booking weddings, working with planners, and seeing my vision come to life. That season taught me that resilience is about showing up even when things are uncertain. Looking back now, I am grateful for those challenges because they pushed me to grow as both an entrepreneur and as a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pureluxephotobooth.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PureLuxePhotoBooth
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/PureLuxePhotoBooth
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pure-luxe-photo-booth
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@PureLuxePhotoBooth

Image Credits

@aaandacreatives