Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Dare.
Charles, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started as a photographer taking photos of landscapes and nature. I started having friends asking me to take photos of events which was interesting. Slowly though, I realized it was draining my passion for photography. I began looking for ways to get rid of the tasks I dreaded doing and maximize the tasks I enjoyed. After playing around it lead me to Photo Booths.
After doing some market research, I noticed nearly all of the companies were offering the same cookie-cutter photo booths with a few unique outliers. I wanted to make sure that what we were offering was different that others on the market. We started by focusing on getting the photo booth basics done right with high-quality photos.
Then, I focused my attention on unique booth styles that would set us apart from every other company in the area. This passion for being not only amazing quality but beautifully styled booths began with our Modern Kiosk. Built around the idea of a Black-Tie Tuxedo prepared for a formal event, it is designed to be elegant and fun all in one.
Our second booth was built around all of our requests at the Winery’s and rustic venues in the Temecula Valley. Several companies offered “rustic” booths which were all modern, but rustic themed. We decided to go one further by using actual antiques in our booth. The camera is 1908, 8×10″ wet plate filed camera, meaning its 110 years old. We added a 1943 typewriter, that we converted to a USB keyboard, to a touchscreen tablet for the social station.
I love the booths we offer and I love being able to be part of our client’s events. It’s amazing to have our booth become part of the event and not be just a random add on that doesn’t really fit with the carefully crafted event theme. To me, a photo booth should be something that is part of your event, giving you and your guests a fun activity and lifelong memories that will far outlast what music was played, the flowers chosen or table styling.
Great, 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?
No, but sometimes, the best roads aren’t smooth. While we have done well with hitting each year financial and expansion goals, there have been a number of lessons along the way. Our self-built booth we began with was simply a matter of function. It was definitely not a pretty booth and I’m glad we quickly moved away from that setup to our current ones. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have gone with a different booth, to begin with.
Also, marketing has always been an issue. I’ve had to learn many, many lessons regarding what services really give us the best return-on-investment, and have wasted thousands on things that didn’t work. Running our business on a shoestring budget has been hard. I’ve never been able to invest in the SEO, social media, website design, and blogging specialists I would love to work with. That being said, I’ve had to learn the hard way on these and other topics.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SetApart4Christ Photo Booths – what should we know?
I focus on providing styled photo booths with our Modern elegant Kiosk and our Antique Camera Booth. Two very different booths with very unique styles for weddings and events. I never wanted our photo booths to be just another booth, but rather be part of and highlight the style of each event they are asked to be part of. For example, I know of only one other company in the USA that uses actual Antique Cameras as photo booths. That definitely sets us apart from everyone else in the area.
In addition, I have an unwavering commitment to quality. I want to make sure that our photo booths aren’t just great to look at, but will give each of our client’s high-quality photos that will last a lifetime. Memories that each guest can walk away with and our clients can keep forever.
Those to focuses are a major driving force in anything we do as a company. Part of that comes back to the name of our company. In our country right now, being a Christian company has come with a huge stigma. Many people look at our business name and dismiss us out of hand. Yet, others book us just because of our name. Our business name is based upon the biblical theme that we are travelers and pilgrims here, that our home is in heaven, and we are to be an example and a light of Christ in the world. That we are to be set apart. In the world but not of the world. Not giving in to the temptations that lead many astray, but keeping our eyes on Christ toward the goal for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus because our citizenship is in heaven.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Loving what we do, and using our booths to give back. Even before we began selling the services we were giving back to our church by offering photo booths for their events at no cost and participating in events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We offer non-profit charities a discount so more of their money can stay directed to their missions. It’s just one small way we can use our photo booths to enhance their events.
We love what we do and we love working with so many of the amazing vendors we have been giving the opportunity to meet and work with over the years. Each event is a team effort and it takes everyone working together to make the event go smoothly. With that, I always try to be set up early, so if another vendor needs help, I can offer an extra pair of hands to help them shine, too. That has led to many vendors recommending us, and remembering who we are at future events.
Again much of what we do and what we believe comes back to our deep faith in Christ. Christ who showed us true, unfailing love. Who sat down with the outcast and the downtrodden to serve them, not to be served. That’s the example we try to follow with ever event, focusing on serving our clients the best we can, serving their guests and serving those in our community around us.
Pricing:
- Basic Package – 3 Hours of Operation – $550 (Save $50)
- Standard Package – 4 Hours of Operation / 1 Hour of Idle – $750 (Save $100)
- Elegance Package – 5 Hours of Operation / 2 Hours of Idle – $900 (Save $150)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sa4cphoto.com
- Phone: 442-777-3299
- Email: photobooth@sa4cphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sa4cphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sa4cphoto/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/setapart4christ-photo-booths-escondido?osq=Photo+Booths
Image Credit:
Heather Anderson Photography, Memories & Promises Photography, True Photography
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