The Rise of Novelty Photo Experiences: Flipbooks at Otto’s Holiday Celebration

It’s no secret that instant cameras, vinyl records, and photo albums have had a major resurgence in popular culture these days—and for good reason. Something about the nostalgia, tangibility, and retro aesthetic of these novelty items comes together to create a unique and personalized experience that people can’t get enough of. It’s no surprise that more and more event organizers and marketing specialists are leaning into this trend.

As a leading photo and video activation company, we’re living for the comeback of old-school experiences. Photo booths and themed photo activations add an interactive element to events, creating memorable moments for guests and providing them with tangible mementos to take home. That’s why we were thrilled when Otto’s reached out to us for their holiday celebration.

Their goal was to do something cool and different for their annual holiday party. Focusing on adding a layer of fun and engagement to the event, while still wanting to give guests a novelty experience, we proposed a flipbook photo activation.

Flipbooks are a truly classic photo experience. They first became popular around the mid-20th century, mostly due to the fact that they were a simple and accessible way for people to experience a form of animation in everyday life. They were commonly found in children's books, magazines, and were sometimes included in cereal boxes and other consumer products as promotional items or prizes!

Fast-forward to the early 2000s when flipbooks got a major revival in the context of events like weddings, parties, and corporate gatherings. That era saw a creative and playful use of flipbooks in the photo industry, driven by the desire to provide event attendees with unique, tangible mementos and interactive experiences.

Photo booth attendant flipping through a custom flipbook for guests, highlighting interactive photo experiences for event memorabilia.

For Otto’s holiday party, we created a video set to record footage of guests posing in all sorts of fun ways for their flipbooks. From those short clips, we printed each individual frame onsite and stapled them together to create a mini book for guests to flip through, making the shots look like a printed video!

Novelty photo experiences like printed flipbooks provide a way to bring back that tangible aspect of photography while also preserving special moments. They offer a break from traditional event activities and can be a highlight for guests, boosting overall event engagement and attendance. When guests know there will be interactive and entertaining photo opportunities, they’re more likely to participate in and enjoy the event. Plus, the tactile experience of holding photographs or interacting with tailored souvenirs is a hit at every event. And from the smiling faces and neverending queue throughout the event, we’re sure guests had an amazing time.

Event attendee supervises as guests pose for their photos.

Onsite printer with flipbook photos from the photo booth.

Printed flipbooks displayed on a table.

Each element of our flipbook activations can be used creatively to enhance the guest experience and achieve your branding goals. Our flipbooks and sets can include branding elements, slogans, or product placements to reinforce brand recognition.

Whether your event has a particular theme or you want to maximize your marketing and branding strategy, flipbooks can help tell your brand's story. By creatively integrating flipbooks into your brand activation strategy, you can enhance attendee engagement, create memorable experiences, and reinforce key brand messages, ultimately helping to achieve your marketing objectives.

Close-up of a hand holding Otto's branded flipbook, exemplifying personalized event merchandise for marketing and guest engagement.

Incorporating flipbooks into your event can be a game-changer, bringing a unique and engaging element that guests will love. These personalized keepsakes offer a hands-on experience, allowing participants to create their own mini-animated books. It's this interactive aspect that sets a good event apart from a great event. Attendees get to be part of the creative process, making their experience even more special.

Flipbooks add a layer of creativity, nostalgia, and interactivity to your event, elevating attendee satisfaction and contributing positively to your event's overall success. So, if you want to make your event memorable, engaging, and shareable, consider including flipbooks in your event strategy!