How our Denver Photo Booth Rental Company Began!

Well, here we go! Starting this blog for Modern Focus has been a hope of mine for quite some time, and I’m thrilled to finally take the leap and share our voice with you.  I’m Ashley—the owner and founder of Modern Focus Experience (a Denver based photo booth rental company) —and I couldn’t be happier that you’re here!  I would describe myself as someone with a thirst for knowledge, always eager to learn and teach myself new skills.  For instance, when one of our scrapbook suppliers recently went out of business, I decided we’d make them ourselves. Once I get an idea in my head, there’s no stopping me until it’s fully realized. Within a week, I had purchased a CNC router, the necessary router bits, and a software subscription to Carveco. My husband and I spent weeks debating the best type of wood, our favorite stains, and the perfect fonts for cutting—it’s an exciting new skill to have under my belt and I can’t wait to learn more.

Since opening our doors in 2018, we’ve been on quite a journey. There have been monumental challenges, including the loss of both my parents just a few years apart, a torn ACL, COVID, and a miscarriage. But there have also been incredible milestones: hiring our first team members, moving into our first office space, meeting other amazing vendors, and welcoming our daughter into the world. Through it all, the ups and downs have only strengthened my motivation and optimism for the future.

My sister, dad, and I in our first photo booth (and our friend Michael taking every advantage of photobombing this sweet moment)

Losing my parents was the most difficult experience of my life, but it taught me unforgettable lessons about resilience, love, and the importance of support. I wouldn’t have made it through without the encouragement of my husband, our family, and the dedication of our first two team members. They stepped up with grace and determination (with less than the ideal amount of training), as my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Words cannot express how deeply grateful I am for their presence in our lives at such a pivotal moment.

My mom and I (with our friend Adam and guests as our backdrop)

Since then, our team has continued to grow, and it truly feels like an extension of our family. Each person brings something unique and wonderful to the table, and together we’re building something special.

A fun fact about how our story began: I started out as a total photo booth skeptic. Back in 2017, when my father-in-law suggested having one at our wedding, I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea. It wasn’t something I’d ever considered, and honestly, I didn’t think we needed one—especially when I saw the additional cost. The most affordable option was over $1,000, and there was no way I was adding that to our budget for something I wasn’t thrilled about!

But I wanted everyone to be happy, so I started exploring DIY options. Just like my approach with the CNC machine, I dove into research—learning about software, small Canon Selphy printers, and props. Before I knew it, I’d created my very first photo booth setup: a simple camera on a tripod, a laptop on a stool and a table of props.

Brad's parents, grandmother, Brad, my maid of honor (Chelsea), and I

Originally, the plan was to use the lush tropical bushes and flowers at our venue as a backdrop for the photos (we were married at Coconut Palm Inn near Key Largo, FL in December). The weather leading up to the big day was perfect—sunny skies, warm breezes, and an amazing beachside vibe. But Mother Nature had other plans. On our wedding day, it rained relentlessly all morning. Luckily, the skies cleared just minutes before the ceremony, though it continued to sprinkle here and there. This made for some very cool Florida temperatures and we had to make the call days prior to get a tent.  The photo booth ended up right in the middle of the action, tucked under the tent beside the make-shift dance floor. And honestly? It couldn’t have been more fun. Guests photobombed each other mid-dance, creating one hilarious memory after another. The next morning, my husband and I spent so much time laughing at all the silly, candid moments we’d captured. What started as an idea I wasn’t sure about ended up being one of the highlights of our wedding day!

More photo booth shenanigans (when bottles of wine turn into props)

After that, we built our first photo booth in our backyard in the Cap Hill area of Denver for my sister’s wedding – which was the summer of 2018.  At the time, we had no grand plans to start a business. But her wedding venue fell in love with our unique wooden design and asked to include us on their preferred vendor list. 

We’d only been in Denver for a year, and I was busy starting a new job with an Atlanta-based company, traveling and working production for corporate and association events (after years in the audio/visual field). Since I was still new, I didn’t have a packed schedule that year. Encouraged by my husband—and an unexpected card reading from a friend that said I needed to channel my creative energy—I decided to build a website. And just like that, our photo booth business was born. 

From a former skeptic, you WON'T regret hiring a photo booth for your next event!

2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year! We’re thrilled to continue fostering the amazing relationships we’ve built over the years while also forging new connections that inspire us. One of the products we’re most excited about is the debut of our very first Glam Motion Camera, we're calling it a VogueBot—just in time for the busy summer season!  This high-tech robotic arm is designed to capture high-definition video with slow-motion effects, emphasizing movement, style and your guest’s personalities! 

On top of that, we’re diving into the creation of custom luxury backdrops we’ve been dreaming about for quite some time, bringing even more fun and creativity to our setups. This year, we’re more energized than ever to push boundaries, innovate, and deliver unforgettable experiences. Thank you for being part of this journey— let’s make 2025 a year to remember!