When it comes to celebrating a Sweet 16 in New York City, the bar is set high. For Remington’s big night, the goal was to create something more than just a party—it was about crafting an immersive experience. Held at the iconic Mandarin Oriental with its sweeping views of Columbus Circle, the event was a masterclass in modern style and interactive fun. We were thrilled to bring the photo experience vision to life with custom-built activations that transformed the celebration into a personalized pop-up world.
The challenge was to match the sophistication of the venue while delivering the high-energy, trendy vibe a Sweet 16 deserves. We achieved this by designing a series of unique photo opportunities, from a massive, sleek step and repeat to one-of-a-kind storefront photo booths. It was all about creating those perfect, shareable moments that felt exclusive, glamorous, and completely unforgettable.
Making an Entrance: The 22-Foot Step & Repeat
TFirst impressions matter, and we wanted guests to feel like A-listers from the moment they arrived. To anchor the entrance, we installed a colossal 22-foot wide by 10-foot tall sleek fabric step and repeat backdrop. This wasn’t your average event background. The sheer scale of it created an immediate sense of grandeur, setting the stage for an epic night.
The backdrop was produced using a heavy-knit, wrinkle-free, and glare-resistant fabric. This material is key to achieving a flawless look in photos. It ensures every shot is clean, professional, and free from distracting reflections or creases, no matter the angle or flash. Supported by a heavy-duty aluminum framing system, the structure was both secure and seamless, providing a perfect canvas for Remington’s custom logo layout. Our team handled the complete delivery, professional setup, and breakdown, ensuring the entire process was effortless for the event hosts.
The Main Attraction: Custom Storefront Walk-in Booths
The centerpiece of the photo experience was a trio of custom-built “storefront” walk-in booths. These were not just backdrops; they were fully immersive, three-dimensional spaces designed to feel like exclusive pop-up shops. Each booth offered a unique world for guests to step into, creating a dynamic and interactive environment that encouraged creativity and fun.
Designing the Dream Booths
The exterior of each booth was designed to command attention. A black wood frame bordered the front plexiglass, giving it a polished, high-end look. Custom-designed logo decals on the front glass and a large header decal at the top personalized the experience, making each booth distinctly Remington’s. To make these storefronts pop, we used an exterior LED lighting kit with softboxes, highlighting the custom graphics and inviting guests to come closer.
Inside, the magic continued. The back and side walls were constructed from a hard substrate PVC board, featuring custom-printed graphics that transformed the interior into a unique theme. The ceiling and floors were finished with a clean, white styrene, and the space was perfectly illuminated with an interior LED light kit. This setup ensured that everyone looked their best, with flattering light that produced stunning, high-quality photos.s shot in a dedicated studio, processed through our professional video booth software.
All-Inclusive Service
These elaborate structures were part of a complete service package. Our professional staff managed the entire process, from delivery and meticulous setup to the final breakdown. The booths were available for guests to enjoy for up to five hours, giving everyone plenty of time to explore each unique environment and capture countless photos.
More Than a Photo: The GIF Booth Experience
To add another layer of modern fun, we brought in our Open-Air Photo Booth, complete with GIF-making capabilities. This activation is always a hit, allowing guests to create fun, looping videos that are perfect for sharing on social media. The booth ran for four hours of unlimited use, operated by a professional photo tech who kept the energy high and the process smooth.
Guests could choose from a catalog of graphic backdrops or use a green screen for custom digital backgrounds. A custom-designed photo overlay featuring Remington’s name and event graphics added a personal touch to every photo and GIF.
Instant Gratification and Lasting Memories
In an age of instant sharing, we made it easy for guests to get their photos right away. A photo printing and sharing kiosk allowed for unlimited 2×6 photo strip prints. More importantly, guests could instantly text or email their photos and GIFs to themselves, complete with customizable delivery content. After the party, the client received a dedicated online photo gallery, creating a beautiful digital album of every moment captured throughout the night.
The Tech Behind the Magic
The stunning quality of the photos and GIFs wasn’t an accident. We use a carefully curated system of professional-grade gear to ensure every shot is picture-perfect.
Our photo booth system is built around a professional Canon DSLR 6D full-sensor camera, which captures rich, detailed, and vibrant images that simply can’t be matched by lesser equipment. We pair this with a studio flash system and a light-softening diffuser to create flattering, even lighting that mimics a professional photoshoot. For the interior booth lighting, we utilized Nanlite LED tube lights to ensure consistent, high-quality exposure.
Behind the scenes, a high-powered Intel NUC computer processes every photo instantly, applying filters and getting them ready for sharing in seconds. Guests could see themselves pose on a 17-inch front-facing live view monitor, while a rear-facing monitor displayed a running slideshow of all the fun being had.
A Sweet 16 for the Books
Remington’s Sweet 16 at the Mandarin Oriental was a testament to how creative photo experiences can elevate an event. By combining grand scale, custom design, and cutting-edge technology, we helped create a stylish and interactive celebration that guests will be talking about for years to come. From the celebrity-style entrance to the immersive storefront booths and dynamic GIF station, every detail was designed to capture the energy and excitement of this milestone moment.
Ready to take your own Sweet 16 to the next level? Reach out to NYC Photo Party and let our team transform your celebration into an unforgettable experience!
