Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Pinzone.
Hailey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So, end of 2017 I kept catching myself Craigslist searching for these little vintage trailers. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with it at that point but at night before bed, I would just totally geek out over how cute they were. A few months later when I decided that I wanted to do the photo booth and then that really narrowed down my vision. I loved the airstream look, but of course, that was too big. I wasn’t into the fun, colored, trailers. I wanted it to be a statement piece that you could style at your event. The aluminum was really hard for me to come across because that’s what everyone did to hide their imperfections, they threw Bondo on it and painted over it.
When I found my trailer on Craigslist, it was all the way in Colorado. I packed my car up and said I am going to get this trailer and my boyfriend was like, “seriously? That one?” When I pulled up, I almost got cold feet. It was rusty, oxidized, the inside was so gross! I hitched up and headed back to Texas and about halfway there the back skin ripped off. I was devastated! Haha, we tied it down and kept on going. Three months of renovations later, we spent about 50 hours of just polishing & buffing, gutted it, painted, laid new floor, and everything finally started coming together.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way, I learned so much! My vision has evolved a lot and I actually curating a fashion styled shoot in April. Because of what kind of rental it is, I can market myself in the wedding industry, nightlife, city events. I think any new startup has its challenges. Photo booths aren’t a new thing. So being the new kid on the block comes with its challenges in itself, but I have had a lot of great support.
Retrograph – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
So, again photo booths aren’t a new thing- and even vintage trailer photo booths are popping up all over DFW. But I think my look is very unique. I designed this to be transformable to different styles including boho, industrial, farmhouse, retro- whatever! It’s fun because the women usually gravitate towards it being a photo booth and dressing up and vintage hats and glasses, and the med are usually taken back by how old and preserved it is. It’s been a big hit.
I am working with a few people on getting more hand made props made, and trying to set time to make some myself, but I really want to support the art community and have fun unique artist-made and vintage props. I have GrannyFab glasses, out of Austin. Everyone’s always asking me where those glasses are from and I send them to her social media. So its good promotion for them, and I send her pictures of people wearing them, too! I really have worked hard on trying to make this an eclectic experience and something people talk about leaving the party.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Being happy. Being the good kind of stressed – by having enough work to pay your bills and some extra, but being able to manage it. Building a good network of professionals and hard working people.
Pricing:
- Vintage Trailer Photo Booth $250/hour
- Open-Air Photo Booth $200/ hour
- DFW Fashion Styled Shoot $95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.retrographrentals.com
- Phone: 6825522449
- Email: info@retrographrentals.com
- Instagram: retrograph_
- Facebook: retrographftw
Image Credit:
Renee Pierce & Liane Rochelle
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
