Inside NYC's first photo booth museum, which is drawing lines on the city's coolest street

"We snap selfies on our phones, take screenshots of memes and document our daily lives-and then promptly forget about the thousands of images in our camera roll. I think that's why, even at a time when we have easier access to photography than ever before, lines are forming outside of AUTOPHOTO, a new NYC museum dedicated to the old technology of analog photo booths."

"Seven fully restored vintage photo booths have taken up residence inside the 121 Orchard Street venue, each one ready to snap your photo. It's an incredibly rare collection-fewer than 300 working analog photo booths exist across the globe. AUTOPHOTO, the city's first photo booth museum, has quickly become one of the coolest things to do on the coolest street in New York City."

"Shortly after earning her photography degree, Bre Conley Saxon stumbled upon an analog photo booth in an Alabama thrift store for just $200. Intrigued by the darkroom technology she loved, she found a mentor to help her refurbish the booth. It took 10 years, but that was only the beginning for Saxon, who became enamored with the technology and doesn't want it to fade away."

Photography increasingly feels detached as digital images are rapidly created and forgotten in camera rolls. AUTOPHOTO operates seven fully restored vintage analog photo booths at 121 Orchard Street in New York City. The booths function like tiny darkrooms and produce tangible prints that counter the ephemeral nature of digital photography. Fewer than 300 working analog photo booths exist worldwide, making the collection exceptionally rare. Founder Bre Conley Saxon discovered a thrift-store booth, learned restoration techniques, spent a decade refurbishing, and now operates 23 booths across seven states. Saxon hires and trains women to service the booths to help preserve the craft and sustain the medium.

Read at Time Out New York