The Story
Owner, Jeanette Schenk, is a "maker" and portrait photographer. She loves getting her hands on a project and creating things. Jeanette owns Shortcake Photo, a photography business in Portland, Oregon, and had been brainstorming and bouncing ideas around for quite some time on how to set her business apart from every other photographer and photo booth in the Pacific Northwest.
She loved the idea of the VW Photo Bus, but those seemed to be popping up everywhere. Don't get me wrong - they're very cute, but Jeanette wanted something that was adorable and totally unique - something that would set her business apart for others in the PNW...
So, one day, after going to happy hour with her best friends*, it hit her (Not the drink, the idea!). A gigantic lightbulb went off... She saw a trailer in the parking lot and said, "That's IT! I need to get my hands on a vintage trailer and start mobile photo booth business!"
Jeanette immediately researched the idea and couldn't find anyone else in the Pacific Northwest doing this! So, ten days later, she went all in and bought this1964 Cardinal Trailer and named it "Hammie." Why "Hammie?" Well, you know... it's "canned ham" shaped... and, of course, you "ham it up" inside!
Hammie is a native Oregonian and lived in Southern Oregon for over 50 years. When not in use, it rested comfortably in a big barn. With it's previous owner, this adorable trailer was taken on numerous family camping trips and adventures: Just imagine the places Hammie's traveled to: Crater Lake, Shasta, Fort Stevens, Hood River, Mt. Hood, Columbia Gorge, Oregon Coast... Today, Jeanette and her husband continue the tradition of glamping, but mainly, this camper functions as a premier mobile photo booth that services celebrations, weddings, fundraisers, corporate events, birthday parties, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs throughout Oregon and Washington.
*If you want to know where Jeanette received her inspirational drinks, it was at Cascade Street Distillery in Sisters, OR. "Katie" mixes the best cocktails! (Obviously!)
Selecting the Colors & Theme
Selecting the colors and theme were easy. Since Jeanette and her hubby (and two girls) were born and raised in Portland, it only made sense to go with a PNW theme! Custom raindrop patterned curtains were made, and flag banners were created out of complimentary colored fabric depicting wine, beer, rose, bicycle, cloud, and deer patterns. And, LET'S NOT FORGET THAT ICONIC PDX CARPET!!! That's a huge hit for anyone from the Portland area. As for the "Tiffany Blue" color added to the exterior (your perfect "something blue" for that wedding you're plannning?), that matches the original paint on Hammie's working cooktop stove!