Last week, I had the opportunity to spend a morning at Autophoto for an exclusive museum tour and lomography workshop. The experience was offered to just 25 people (first come, first serve), and I was lucky enough to catch when the RSVP went live and snag a spot.
I visited Autophoto for the first time when they opened their NYC doors in October (2025), and it quickly became one of my new favorite spots in the city. Currently, there are 7 working photobooths on site - including the only working Polaroid booth in the world (originally from Chuck E. Cheese) that still operates with tokens. There’s also a rare Model 12 booth from the late 1950s that accommodates wider format paper (53mm instead of the standard 40mm). A couple booths in the space are not yet working, but scheduled to be restored. Founder Bre Conley Saxon (@autophoto_bre) talked about how she has a few more booths sitting in shipping containers back in Connecticut in her driveway (where she had driven from that day to be there for the workshop). I admire her dedication and passion for preserving the art form so much - it truly is a labor of love.
The most exciting booth (for me) is the Model 21 MTV booth (1980s-1990s). This booth was featured on MTV’s Total Request Live and has been used by many celebrities. In October, I unfortunately had just missed the limited color paper that is occasionally run in this booth. If I remember correctly, I don’t even think it lasted a week? 😅 This time, I was in luck because it made its elusive return and hadn’t all been used up yet. I think the snowstorm actually helped matters in this case - since Autophoto closed for that day… and days leading up to the storm people were panic buying all the bread at Trader Joe’s. 🤡 I was thrilled to be able to create this photo strip - as the paper stopped being made in 2005. Any color analog strips created after that time are made with deadstock paper. It is now once again out, but be sure to follow Autophoto on Instagram (@autophoto) in case it comes back so you can be the first to know if/when it does.
Everything was turned off for the snowstorm - including any heating pads for the chemistry inside the “mini darkrooms” of each booth. We learned that the temperature of the chemicals affects how the final prints develop. The color paper printed a bit more muted for example when the chemistry was still on the colder side. I waited until closer to the end of the session - after it had heated up - which yielded a more vibrant result. Toward the back of the space, there is a demonstration booth where you can watch the inner workings of the development process (and see why it takes several minutes for analog photostrips to land in your hands after being taken).
Bob Greco (@picturemanbob) also demoed a Graflok 4x5 Instant Back and took our portraits. I always feel so awkward sitting in front of someone else’s camera (much more comfortable being behind the camera 😅) but Bob was great (and was also wearing a very fun colorful sweater). I told him I had wanted to capture my own colorful sweater, and I love how it turned out. Hire Bob to take polaroids at your event(s)!
The gallery/museum houses special artifacts and ephemera celebrating photobooth history including an original photostrip of photobooth inventor Anatol Josepho and his dog. You can see the silver flecks and the superior quality - truly amazing (and better in person). On the wall (closest to the merch counter), a camera he designed in 1925 is displayed (alongside a digital copy of the aforementioned strip; you can really see the difference in quality). Fun fact: the camera is actually mounted upside down due to its weight distribution.
There is also a wonderful collection of celebrity photostrips on display featuring Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Meghan Markle, and Matthew Perry just to name a few.
Whether you’re visiting from out of town or call NYC home - Autophoto is the perfect place to create a one of a kind memento, pop in for date night, or channel your inner vogue when the feeling strikes. Come with friends or come alone! There is so much to do in the surrounding area, too. Grab a slice of pizza at Scarr’s, secure your next wardrobe staple or statement piece at Big Bud Press or Susan Alexandra, indulge in a sweet treat at Bon Bon, or pick out the perfect gift for yourself (or a special someone) at A Shop of Things.
The contents of my emptied bag after this day in the city. 😆
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