Photo-Me International
Photo-Me International is the world's second-largest photo booth operator and a publicly-traded multinational company. Founded in 1964, Photo-Me operates over 47,000 automated vending machines globally, including photo booths, digital printing kiosks, and laundry services, making it the most diversified operator in the industry.
Company History
Photo-Me was founded in the United Kingdom in 1964 by Japanese entrepreneur Shotaro Tateisi and British businessman John Howell. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1962 (before operational launch), making it one of the few publicly-traded photo booth operators.
The company experienced rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s, expanding beyond photo booths into complementary vending services. This diversification strategy proved resilient during the digital photography transition.
Photo-Me introduced its distinctive blue and white branding in the 1970s, which became recognizable across Europe. The company was an early adopter of digital photo technology in the 1990s while maintaining select analog machines.
In the 2000s, Photo-Me expanded into digital print kiosks, laundry machines (Revolution brand), and identity verification services. This diversification buffered the company from declining demand for analog photo booths.
Today, Photo-Me operates 47,000+ vending units across 20 countries, with photo booths representing approximately 40% of units. The company reported £286 million revenue in 2023, with strong growth in digital printing and identity services.
Notable Models
Photo-Me Classic (Analog)
1970s - 2000s
Blue and white analog booths with chemical processing. Known for excellent black and white photography and robust construction.
KIS Photo Booth
1980s - 1990s
High-end analog model with superior optics and chemical processing. Sought after by collectors for exceptional photo quality.
Photo-Me ID
2000 - Present
Biometric digital booth with instant printing. Compliant with passport standards for 150+ countries.
PhotoPrint Digital Kiosk
2010 - Present
Multi-service digital kiosk offering photo printing, copying, and scanning from smartphones and USB.
Cultural Impact
Photo-Me machines are ubiquitous in UK post offices, train stations, and shopping centers. The blue and white branding is instantly recognizable across the UK. Photo-Me booths have appeared in numerous British films and TV shows as standard urban fixtures.
Innovations & Contributions
- First UK photo booth network (1964)
- Early adoption of digital photo booth technology (1990s)
- Multi-country passport compliance system (2000s)
- Integrated printing from smartphones (2010s)
- Combined photo booth and laundry vending machines
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1964
- Headquarters
- Bookham, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Status
- Active
- Legal Name
- Photo-Me International plc
- Total Machines
- 47,000
- Operating Countries
- 20
Geographic Presence
Industry Relationships
- Parent Company
- Publicly traded (LSE: PHTM)
- Competitors
- PhotomatonSnappy SnapsMax Spielmann
- Key Partnerships
- • UK Post Office• Major UK supermarket chains• European rail stations
Technical Specifications
- Machine Types
- Analog chemical process (legacy)Digital instant printBiometric ID verificationDigital print kiosksMulti-service kiosks
- Photo Formats
- • 4-8 photos per session• Passport/visa sizes (multiple countries)• Standard photo prints (4x6, 5x7)• Custom event formats
- Processing Types
- • Silver halide chemical (legacy)• Dye sublimation digital• Instant thermal print• Photo paper printing
Photo-Me International Booths in Our Directory
Sources & Citations
"Founded 1964 by Shotaro Tateisi and John Howell"
Source: Photo-Me International Annual Report 2023View Source
"47,000+ vending units across 20 countries"
Source: Photo-Me International Financial Statement 2024
"£286 million revenue in 2023"
Source: London Stock Exchange filing
"60% UK market share in photo booths"
Source: UK Automated Services Market Report 2023