Today we’d like to introduce you to Tish Tralka.
Tish, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
There is something special about making people smile, especially during life’s most coveted moments like your wedding day. There is also a need today to “connect” people (in real life) with one another and have an authentic experience and a good time in the company of others. . My husband and I have restored and traveled in may vintage campers and vans. Everywhere we’ve gone over the years people want to come in and see, so we thought, let’s combine our passion for sharing special moments, making memories, vintage campers, photography, and making people smile! So, 3 years ago we built our first Camera Camper vintage trailer photo booth in a 1965 Shasta Trailer. My husband, whose background is in field marketing, is very creative, handy, and he did the full restorations. I worked to design and build the infrastructure of the actual business. Since I was a Marine Biology and Zoology major in college, I really had a lot to learn! I was also juggling my other business, and two little boys. As the business began to start, I would have never imagined how much happiness it brings to an occasion. I also am so proud that we did it all ourselves as a husband, wife, and parents.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Well, my art, which is a 1963 Shasta vintage trailer photo booth that we designed and built could be considered American art history?! It is a combination of nostalgia, design, experience, and creating memories. I am more of a facilitator and a catalyst to allow others to step into a space to create their own art (using props, silly faces, and creativity). After they take 3 photos, my trailer booth prints them out a photo-strip to take home with them. I love seeing how much people enjoy their moment in the trailer. People really let their guard down in the booth and always leave with a smile. It’s like a little smile factory! I don’t know if I’ve ever had anyone exit the trailer without a smile. So, if art is meant to create emotion, I guess you can say I do that.
When I designed my trailer, I thought of my own wedding day on the shores of Lake Tahoe. I wanted it to fit into a certain classy, clean, rustic genre, especially for weddings. I wanted it to be really unique and provide a creative design “look” to add into an outdoor wedding or special events venue. It really fits in well at winery/barn/outdoor weddings, but I’ve been surprised how well it looks even at a country club or resort properties.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Any artist has to stay confident and don’t give up on yourself. Building, restoring, and designing my unique business was very nerve-racking and scary financially. We didn’t even know if people would book us. Similar to being an artist you wonder if people are going to like what you’re creating. Being an artist/entrepreneur sometimes you don’t have a steady pay check coming in every two weeks and when you add being a parent onto that equation it can be stressful. I was raised in Northern California and come from a family of artists. My Dad is a landscape photographer, my sister is a ceramicist, my brother is a landscape designer, and my Mom is a flower designer. To pursue art, it is a passion and for me I wouldn’t say my business title isn’t “artist”, per-say, but to survive as an artist you need to be a business person too. As I’ve learned, most artist don’t often have sharp business knowledge and understanding, as they’ve always focused on making art and studying art. For me, I studied Marine Biology and Zoology so I never learned a speck of business. People ask, “how do you measure success?” For me, I make people smile, create lasting memories, and get to see people happy. Monetarily, it is an ebb and flow, which is enough to keep us afloat, but I feel very “rich” every time I see people enjoy my little vintage trailer photobooth.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can see my Instagram @cameracamper, but my art, which is photography in a trailer, is for hire. We have 3 vintage trailers for hire by the hour. The booking details are on my website: www.cameracamper.com. If someone is having a wedding, corporate event, family reunion, Barmitzva, Sweet 16, or any special moment where you are gathering people for a good time they can hire Camera Camper to show up. I provide custom branded logo prints, all the props, social media sharing capabilities, and more. We do trade shows for company’s who want to connect with their consumers. Businesses hire us and we become “their” booth at a trade show or festivals. It’s better for their business exposure to trigger the interests of potential customers than doing the typical, “handing out brochures under a pop-up tent routine.” We have had the pleasure of hearing, “you were the highlight of my wedding night.” There is so may occasions where the Camera Camper can make an event a success. We also do a lot of fundraisers, birthday parties, and community events. Whatever the function or social gathering is, “We Smile.”
As far as building, designing, restoring, and/or finding a vintage trailer for camping, you can send me an email, as my husband and I also do that as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cameracamper.com
- Phone: (760)4522002
- Email: cameracamper@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cameracamper
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameracamper/
Image Credit:
Camera Camper Archive
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