Photo Booth Centenary: Anatol Josepho's 1925 Invention and Its Artistic Legacy

This year marks the centennial celebration of the photo booth, with exhibitions that pay tribute to its legacy. In September 1925, Anatol Josepho, a Siberian immigrant, introduced the first automated photo booths at Broadway and 51st Street, drawing in 280,000 patrons within just six months. Having been captivated by photography since his youth, he returned to New York at age thirty, raised $11,000 to create his invention, and sold the patent for a million dollars the following year. Photo booths provide a distinctive experience unlike handheld cameras, attracting artists such as Richard Avedon, Andy Warhol, and André Breton. Despite facing competition from smartphones and Polaroid, they continue to flourish in the wedding sector and are ideal for spontaneous moments and self-exploration.