Fotoautomat

Fotoautomat was founded in Berlin in 2004 by Ole Kretschmann and a group of analog photography enthusiasts who wanted to preserve the authentic photo booth experience in an increasingly digital world.

The founders began by purchasing decommissioned vintage photo booths from the 1960s and 1970s—primarily German Photoautomat machines—and painstakingly restoring them while maintaining original chemical processing systems. Each restoration took months of work.

The company's distinctive orange-painted machines first appeared in Berlin's Mitte district and quickly became cultural landmarks. The authentic analog experience—with a 4-minute processing time and unique photochemical quality—resonated with a new generation seeking alternatives to digital photography.

Fotoautomat expanded throughout Berlin, then to other German cities, and eventually internationally. Each location was carefully chosen for cultural significance, often in art districts, independent bookstores, and cultural centers.

By 2010, Fotoautomat had inspired a global movement. The company's success demonstrated commercial viability for analog booth operations, leading to similar ventures in cities worldwide (Photobooth, BOS Photo Booth, etc.).

Today, Fotoautomat operates over 50 vintage machines across Europe and North America, processes tens of thousands of strips annually, and has become the gold standard for authentic analog photo booth experiences.