Sign up for our Newsletter

Credit: Sherry Pickerell courtesy

From a guest’s perspective, one of the best aspects of a wedding is crowding as many friends and relatives as possible into a photo booth and snapping a few pictures with various silly props. But given the size of most machines, it’s difficult to involve more than three or four people.

That’s where Sherry Pickerell, who launched North Fork Photobooth Company in September, comes in. Instead of using a standard booth, the Southold resident simply uses a backdrop and props to create instant photo booth-style pictures.

“I enjoy seeing the happiness on people’s faces,” she said. “I like that I can provide people with happy memories that they can leave with physically in their hands.”

By using a backdrop and a camera designed by friend and fellow professional photographer Brandon Wong, Pickerell can fit up to 23 people in one shot. The setup, which includes a camera and touch screen, allows those who book her services to work with her to create a custom background. Pickerell also offers four other standard backgrounds, which can be raised to different heights to suit the event space, and numerous props guests can use.

After an event, all pictures are uploaded to Facebook so guests can see every shot taken — and anyone who missed the event can also take a look. One package she offers also includes a personalized photo scrapbook.

“Anyone can do it,” she said. “Young or old. Goofy or serious. It gets people together and interacting. I think they have fun and enjoy it.”

Sherry Pickerell. (Credit: Nicole Smith)
Sherry Pickerell prints a photo in her Southold living room. (Credit: Nicole Smith)

Pickerell has been a professional photographer for over a decade and specializes in weddings, engagements and portraits through her company, Sherry Pickerell Photography.

After graduating from college with a degree in mechanical engineering, she and her husband, Jason, moved to Southold. Pickerell soon became a mother and stayed home to raise her daughters.

She enjoyed snapping pictures of the children and, as they got older, began working part time at Kate’s photography studio on Front Street in Greenport. When digital photography began to gaining traction and Kate’s closed, Pickerell started working for local photographer Michael Cody.

About five years later, she opened Sherry Pickerell Photography. And while she plans to keep running that business running, she hopes to focus more on North Fork Photobooth Company, giving her time to create her own memories with family and friends.

“I love it,” Pickerell said of her line of work. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. It’s made me happy with the memories I can offer to other people.”

[email protected]

X
X