The Photographers' Gallery in London is marking a significant milestone in photography history with a comprehensive exhibition celebrating 100 years of the beloved photo booth. The special archival display, titled "Strike a Pose! 100 Years of the Photobooth," explores the rich history of these iconic machines while highlighting their intimate charm, technical imperfections, and unique quirks that have captivated people for a century.
The year 2025 represents a momentous anniversary in photography history, marking exactly 100 years since inventor Anatol Josepho created the first analog photo booth. His groundbreaking invention, called the Photomaton, made its debut on Broadway in New York City in 1925, forever changing how people interacted with photography. The photo booth revolutionized the world of photography by making it accessible to ordinary people for the first time.
These innovative machines functioned as combined photography studios and processing labs all in one compact space, offering the first truly affordable access to photography for the general public. The revolutionary aspect of photo booths was their simplicity and independence – no technical knowledge was required, and no professional operator was needed. Anyone could simply step behind the curtain, insert their coins into the slot, and strike a pose for an instant photographic memory.
The initial success of Josepho's first photo booth was nothing short of extraordinary. In just the first five days of operation, more than 7,500 New Yorkers used the booth, demonstrating the immediate public fascination with this new technology. This overwhelming response in New York quickly led to global expansion and widespread adoption of photo booths around the world.
The photo booth phenomenon reached the United Kingdom in 1928 when the first machine was installed at the famous Selfridges department store in London. Like its American predecessor, the London photo booth was an immediate hit with the British public. By the 1950s and 1960s, photo booths had become common fixtures in everyday life, appearing at fairgrounds, shopping centers, and train stations across the country.
What made photo booths particularly special was the intimate, inexpensive space they provided, giving everyone complete freedom to control their own photographic image. Behind the privacy of the curtain, whether alone or squeezed in with friends, the photo booth served as a creative playground, free from the formal gaze and direction of a professional photographer. This democratic approach to photography appealed to people from all walks of life.
The cultural impact of photo booths extended far beyond ordinary citizens, attracting famous personalities and celebrities who embraced the medium's spontaneous nature. Notable users included music legends John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as well as political figures like President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Perhaps most famously, pop artist Andy Warhol incorporated photo booth images into his artistic practice, creating his renowned series of self-portraits using these coin-operated machines.
The golden age of photo booths began to decline with the rise of digital photography technology in the 1990s. The once-ubiquitous coin-operated booths that had been ever-present fixtures on busy high streets and transportation stations gradually disappeared as digital cameras became more accessible and affordable to consumers.
However, analog photo booths are experiencing a remarkable renaissance in recent years. Thanks to the dedicated work of restoration experts and enthusiasts, these vintage machines are reappearing in cities across the globe, attracting a new generation of fans who appreciate their unique aesthetic and tactile experience. Modern users are rediscovering the delight and charm that made photo booths so popular for decades.
The exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive experience beyond just viewing historical materials. Alongside the impressive display of archive prints, vintage photo strips, and related materials, the gallery has installed an operational photo booth where visitors can create their own selfie souvenirs. Additionally, a live feed system allows guests to observe the fascinating mechanical processes that occur inside the booth during operation.
"Strike a Pose! 100 Years of the Photobooth" features an extensive collection of materials from photography collector Raynal Pellicer and represents a key component of a year-long program of centenary celebrations. The exhibition is being presented in partnership with AUTOFOTO, an organization dedicated to preserving photo booth culture and history.
The exhibition will run from October 10, 2025, through February 22, 2026, at The Photographers' Gallery, located at 16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1F 7LW. This comprehensive celebration promises to offer visitors both historical insight and hands-on experience with one of photography's most democratic and enduring innovations.
