This was so unique!! I brought my son, 3 years, and the bestie brought her two nieces - all three of them had a blast!! This was honestly my first time going to a pop up and I will definitely be back and looking for similar options!
Having seen some Instagram pics & the images on their website / Yelp, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect or what to wear. My mind raced from full on photo shoot action complete with snobby assistants and even snottier models to groupie fun phone snaps to families trying to take serious family portraits.
Safe to say, you'll get an interesting mix of individuals and while I can only speak for our experience, there wasn't a single rude individual to be found. Everyone was having fun. Some took serious looking snaps while others totally goofed. A few people were just naturals at interacting with the props, which makes you want to capture a few images of complete strangers.
A few times, the kiddos became distracted by some new shiny / glittery object and would dart towards it, completely causing a few photo bombs. Again, everyone was understanding. The staff especially made sure to point out a few things we wouldn't have other wised notice and were as kind as can be.
So the facts...
This is certainly something to enjoy with a group - large or small. You start off in the "holding area" waiting until it's your time slot to explore. There were probably a good 30 people in our time slot; each slot is limited to a set number of individuals. Some only brought their iPhones, others had the real deal including multiple lenses.
If you arrive early, you can take advantage of snapping pics in the 'Comic Strip' themed room which doubles as the waiting area. (This is where the "bar" set up is, as well as the desk & typewriter, filing cabinet with 'flying' papers, and a few other nifty options.)
Once your time begins, everyone enters the main set up(s) via the ceiling to floor ribbon wall. We arrived only a few moments before start time so we hung back a little to let the area clear out a bit and to grab our own pics in the waiting area.
SUPER COOL 2 KNOW - Each set contains large round selfie lights that make a huge difference for those without access to a professional camera. So even if you don't have the best camera, you'll still be able to pull off some killer shots with great lighting.
NOTE: The bathroom is 'bananas' and you wouldn't know it was there otherwise bc of how well it blends with the wall.
If you pay attention, many of the set ups actually have additional props available for use. Like a couple clear rain coats for the umbrella scene / rainbow-tule water hose. There's a white fur jacket and another shiny one with polka dots tucked away near the kitchen that can also be utilized.
Once you find the Secret Room, they don't like you touching the clouds but the colorful orbs can be picked up and moved. The scary but neat unicorn heads you might have seen in some pics are also props available for use. They also have a small stool for the shorties for the winged wall & the staircase setup to the "rideable" unicorn makes getting on safe and easier than it otherwise would be.
In the kitchen, if you open the cabinets, you'll find different utensils (cups, bowls, champagne flutes and the like) that make fun props. The sink is filled with a ton of tiny water beads. They make for fun pics but our kiddos did not want to leave that area!
I'm sure if you wanted to do any wardrobe changes, no one would mind - so long as you didn't change out in the open if you're swapping down to your knickers.
Lots of people already came slightly coordinated and seemed to have planned ahead for what type of images they were going to take. Others, like ourselves, winged it.
I wouldn't mind going back with a group of girlfriends, sans kids, and really dive into the creative stream this place inspires.
Basically, if you enjoy taking pictures with fun and quirky back drops / set ups, this place is heaven.
All ages seemed to be welcome although the majority were all young adults. No matter the age though, it's obvious it was enjoyable by all who attended. Can't wait for the remix they'll do later in the year!! read more