Selfies as a Business

Dave Clark never saw the appeal of photo booths beyond a shopping mall attraction for teens. He thought it was strange his college friend owned one. But then he saw what happened when the friend rented it out for weddings.

Dave, here with famed chef Jose Andres, started Onomonomedia four years ago with business partner Steven Beatty as a photo booth rental business for events. The photo booths are carpenter-crafted, high definition, socially-enabled, and customizable. Dave says they're a tool for brands to share a physical experience with customers and get a digital return on investment through social sharing and creative digital content. In the age of the selfie, the business is on pace to grow 40% this year. It’s also expanded to New York, Atlanta, Miami, and LA. We talked to Dave yesterday as he was moving the business from Georgetown to the Arlington, Va., home of Crystal Tech Fund and Disruption Corp. The fund hasn’t invested in the company yet, but offered space.

Dave, who came to DC a few years ago from Utah, says the digital media booths have proprietary software created by his small team that works with open source software. The booths are made by local artist turned carpenter, Richard Sewell, and have been used at White House events and Vanity Fair Oscar parties. The company, which started with a small family loan, also developed this Instagram kiosk that would be used in public places like hotel lobbies. Dave is working with companies, including IMP (9:30 Club owner), on installing them in DC venues.