Meet the boother
Coral Cumming Howe
Location, culture and traditions aren’t excuses for this super boother, who sees opportunity in everything and everywhere, even in her small but mighty market!
Pre Covid, Coral operated in two locations with a team of 15. She didn’t use the pandemic for a well-deserved break, instead she scaled back and invested in new technologies, software and training before hitting her marketing in 2022 bigger & stronger!
With a heart of gold and willingness to help, Coral is a core member of the photo booth community and works with everyone to learn, educate and make our industry better.
Business Name: Alaska Photobooth Company, a division of Capture the Fun Alaska LLC with locations in Fairbanks & Anchorage
How long have you been in business?15years 6 months
What is your favourite booth? I love Lucy: my DSLR mid-century enclosed booth. I designed her and had a master cabinet maker build her out of Douglas Fir. She’s a beautiful full-sized booth that breaks down into six pieces, but she is followed closely by Evelyn, my walnut Everybooth. They are both incredibly classy and for me nothing can replace the beauty of real wood.
What is your favourite software? Snappic at the moment, but I’m eager to learn Breeze.
Tell us about the best event you ever did?
Ironically it was my best & my worst. I was doing an event December 2017, with three enclosed booths for over 3,000 guests in Anchorage. My incredible team and I worked together to set everything up. Frantically, changed in the restroom, joking about the glory of Spanx and energy bars! The booths were working, the prints were printing, the props were beautiful, and the people were thrilled.
My phone kept ringing, but I was too absorbed to answer it. Then one of my favorite girls came over and told me I needed to call my husband. He had finally called her. My mom was in the hospital in Tucson, and I needed to get on a plane. The venue was packed, but my team assured me they had it under control. My delivery guys miraculously met me outside, in a snowstorm, pulling our trailer, and got me to the airport. I somehow got on a flight and made it to Mom’s bedside before she passed.
Why is it my favorite event? Because that night I knew that I had more than employees. I had people that loved me and supported me, not just in business, but in the messy stuff of life. The event re-enforced that Alaskans still react and care like a little town. Later that week I got a touching email from the company’s CEO asking if I needed anything, and the head of catering at the venue letting me know she would help my team with whatever they needed in the week to come. I came home to a card signed by the event’s entire planning committee and to a team that not only handled that night, but the 15 other events we had on the calendar for the rest of the holiday season. Best state, best city, best team, and best event.
Your 3 Tips for success in the photo booth industry:
#1 Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable
Try new ideas and present new products. They might not be ideal, but you’ll never know if you don’t give it a shot. It will keep your business fresh and exciting.
#2 Never forget that you make your living by bringing people together to laugh and connect!
Take a chance and be brave! It’s an automatic NO if you don’t ask. Be proud of this service.
#3 You are perfectly imperfect, designed by God!
Laugh hard every day with your family & friends, with your employees, your business associates and with yourself. Make sure to make friends & be one.
See Coral and her teams latest work on her website or follow them on social media for some inspiration.