Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Cage.
Hi Jason, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Welp! I was a professional Magician (yup, read that again) and then became a radio DJ, which I spent the past 20 years doing full time and took me through major cities like Chicago, Philly, and eventually here to Houston at Mix 96.5. During that time I also hosted events and DJ’d weddings, which also led to an interest in photography. Looking back it all had a central theme: creating fun “wow” moments and memorable experiences.
It was a blend of that magic, my wedding industry knowledge , my love for timeless photos and cameras, and a big dose of my own flair for performing, that led me to creating Fotably. Fotably is one part photo booth, 10 parts photo shoot, and 90 parts “oh wow, that’s cool!”
What started as some line drawings of vintage cameras in a notepad, led me down a path of wires, sawdust, and software to pitch meetings with craftsmen in order to create the high-tech portable portrait studio that we now call The Bellows Booth.
We were recently awarded Diamond Vendor status with the Association of Wedding Planners, and after hundreds of weddings and events, it is safe to say it’s been a hit.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We had three goals, create a photo booth that was as gorgeous as the events they would be part of, capture photographer quality images that guests couldn’t wait to share and wrap it all in a package that would fit in from the boardroom to the ballroom.
Like any invention, there was a lot of research, money, blood, sweat, tears, prototypes and problem solving to end up with the unique product line up we offer for hire today.
Another struggle we dealt with, like many, was obviously Covid. Fotably was born in 2019 and expected to grow in 2020, but the pandemic put a halt to lots of our plans as many events were postponed or outright canceled. Luckily, as Texas began to reopen so did opportunity, and Fotably has been able to grow exponentially.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Fotably is a completely unique photo booth company specializing in handcrafted, vintage-inspired designs that marry the latest in high-tech photography with the timeless charm of yesteryear.
The thing about our booths is this: they’re not actually “booths” at all, in the traditional sense. They are open-air booths. As in, there is no enclosed space around them that you clamber into in order to take your photos, so it never feels cramped or stuffy. Instead, they’re more like portrait spaces – handcrafted from brass, leather and hardwoods – they look as good as the most well-decorated events.
We are best known for our Bellows Portrait Booth, which is what earned us Diamond Status with the Association of Wedding Planners and led to becoming preferred with many star planners. It is styled to look just like a timeless vintage leather bellows camera (you know the kind, your great grandparents would have definitely posed in front of one). It houses a real DSLR camera – just like the one your wedding photographer uses – and beauty dish lighting. This enables us to snap professional-grade photos either in our signature crisp monochrome black-and-white or full color.
The results are AH-MAY-ZING. Bellows is really more like a portable red carpet photoshoot than a booth. There’s no countdown, just a hand-held button that one of our awesome photographers is in control of (unless you want a turn – that’s cool, too) and instant, magazine-quality photos. Images upload directly to a super high-def screen on the back of the booth where they’re displayed in all their glory. Guests can text them to themselves immediately, or print off real 4”x6” glossy prints on the spot.
If you want something really unique, our new Roaming Frame Photo Booth is a totally different offering to the Bellows, or ANY photo booth out there: it’s fully hosted, and yet FULLY mobile! An interactive roaming photo booth that literally comes to you. The Roamer will – as the name suggests – roam around your event (thanks to our dapper hosts) snapping guests’ photos with amazing filters and virtual props all presented in a magical photo booth that’s decked out exactly like an antique work of art. It’s makes for an instant ‘wow’ moment, and guests can text the photos to their phones right on the spot. It’s perfect for wedding receptions, branding events, or small venues.
Something else we’re proud of is our ability to offer free or discounted photo booth experiences to Houston area non-profits. Every year we work with the American Cancer Society, Best Buddies, Apraxia Foundation, and more to create memories at their galas and fundraising events. We are always open to requests and if we are available, we are happy to make it happen.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
That despite all the conflict and setbacks in the world, humans really cherish and value the time we spend together, and the memories we make. A mask can’t stop the eyes from smiling, and we were able to capture many smiling eyes in our photo booths during this time.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jason@Fotably.com
- Website: http://www.Fotably.com
- Instagram: @Fotably
- Facebook: @Fotably
- Other: https://brochure.fotably.com/voyage
Image Credits
Fotably
Katie Littler (Light & Matter Photography)
Aisha
