Thursday, October 1, 2026
In an era when nearly everyone has a camera in their pocket, Samantha Collado believes a great photo booth offers something smartphones cannot: an experience that brings people together.
As owner of Cedarhurst-based 717 Photo Booth Co., Collado has spent the past two and a half years helping clients elevate weddings, corporate gatherings and milestone celebrations throughout Long Island and New York City.
"We do everything at 717 Photo Booth," Collado said. "Our biggest thing is weddings and corporate events. We do those most, but we do bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, we do baby showers. I mean, you name it, we do it — graduation parties, showers — everything."
The company's approach goes beyond simply snapping pictures. Every event is tailored to the client's vision, whether it's a sophisticated wedding reception or a branded corporate activation.
"For the corporate event, we do full customization," Collado said. "We basically customize everything top to bottom with logos, make sure that the assets fit the event. It's good for brand activations."
That customization extends to branded backdrops, print templates, digital start screens and even customized photo holders that reinforce a company's identity throughout the event.
At weddings and private celebrations, however, the focus shifts from marketing to memories.
"Weddings are more about keepsakes," Collado said. "We do scrapbook stations, keychain stations, things that people get to take home, as opposed to just having a photo at an event."
Every booking is customized to the client's schedule and budget rather than fitting into rigid packages. Events can range from a couple of hours to an entire evening, depending on the occasion.
Each booth is staffed by an attendant who helps guests and ensures the equipment performs at its best. Rather than relying on a simple tablet camera, 717 Photo Booth Co. uses DSLR camera technology to deliver professional-quality images.
"We use a DSLR camera inside the booth; it's not like a set-and-forget thing,” Collado said. “We do maintenance throughout the event to make sure the pictures are coming out smoothly and they're high quality."
Clients can choose from a variety of backdrop styles, including classic curtain backdrops and decorative flower walls. Unlimited prints are available, along with optional keepsake stations designed to give guests more than just a photograph to remember the event.
Collado's path to entrepreneurship was an unexpected one. Before launching the business, she managed dental practices. Looking for a career that aligned more closely with her personality, she and her husband — a photographer who works alongside her — decided to build a business centered on celebrations.
"We love parties, we love going to parties, we love hosting parties; we felt starting our own business aligned with that was a great fit for us,” Collado said.
Today, 717 Photo Booth Co. serves clients throughout Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan, bringing its interactive entertainment to venues ranging from elegant estates to rooftop celebrations.
For Collado, though, the business is about far more than taking pictures.
"I think the biggest thing that we want people to take away is just that we care about events," she said. "These are special moments for people and we want to enhance that."
She believes exceptional customer service is just as important as quality photography.
"It's not just about photos," Collado said. "It is about customer service, and we make sure that we show up and show out."
Ultimately, she says the greatest reward comes from seeing guests connect with one another.
"We love seeing people have fun," Collado said. "We love weddings. We love looking at people just going through their special moments; we're grateful to be a part of those things."
That philosophy also shapes the company's mission: turning the often-awkward opening moments of an event into instant engagement by giving guests something fun to gather around. The result, Collado hopes, is more laughter, more interaction and memories that last long after the final photo is printed.
Visit www.717photoboothco.com to learn more.
