Husband, wife duo prepare for new chapter with local mobile photo booth

WARNER ROBINS – Step into a vintage camper and take a photo with Trailer Flash, a unique business ready for a new “roll” with husband and wife duo Joanna and Kyle McCollum. 

The mobile photo booth is a renovated 1968 woodsman camper, which makes it a fun place to create memories. The couple acquired it from the previous owners, who were a mother-daughter team. Joanna McCollum gives them full credit for the idea and making the business a success. When the previous owners decided to sell it, the couple was ready to take over. 

The trailer features a custom built photo box enclosure, which holds the camera and tablet that allows them to take the photos. McCollum said the photos can be customized for the event, which adds a personal touch. McCollum said they can also send photos digitally. 

The couple are public servants by nature. McCollum’s husband, Kyle, has served in the Air Force for 18 years while she has been a civil service civilian at Robins Air Force Base for approximately 14 years. McCollum said they are well rehearsed in working every day and being a part of the community. 

However, they wanted to branch out and own a business. She shared that as her husband gets closer to military retirement, and she gets closer to her 20-year mark working in government, they wanted to look for something they can build and grow. 

The couple also have two children and wanted to set an example for owning and operating a business by themselves. McCollum said they want to teach them every aspect of business ownership, from sales and budgeting to marketing. 

“This seemed like a safe side option to get started in that so that we can potentially grow this bigger or go into other avenues in business later,” she said. 

One of the previous owners was a photographer, and knew about the photography world, which eventually led to the idea of Trailer Flash. McCollum said their goal was to add a fun element to events, weddings and parties, which the couple aims to continue. 

The previous owners would attend Perry events downtown, which McCollum is looking forward to. As a Perry native, she loves to go back to her hometown and enjoys seeing how it has changed. 

“I’m excited to get to be a vendor and get to be a part of these events in the place that I grew up. We’re looking forward to that,” she said. 

Trailer Flash adds the element of stepping inside the trailer over other mobile businesses. The trailer is also climate controlled, making it a good option for any season, McCollum said.

Since the new owners made their announcement on Facebook, they have received overwhelming support. Before their announcement, they attended a 70th birthday party which allowed them to set up and go into the community for the first time as business owners. McCollum shared they were able to “get their feet wet” and see how operating Trailer Flash looked like. 

During the party, the camper brought back memories for a lot of the attendees. McCollum thought it was cool to witness since there is an age gap between her and people who grew up during the 1960s. She enjoyed getting to listen to different stories. 

Many new people approached the owners and expressed their enthusiasm for the business idea. They then asked how to contact them for future bookings. The couple also received a lot of support from their friends, family and the local community, who have been sharing, liking and commenting on social media, McCollum mentioned. 

“We’re hoping that as we start getting out into the community, to work at events that will just grow even more,” she said. 

McCollum believes people should visit Trailer Flash because it adds a fun element to an event and offers a unique opportunity to create lasting memories. She enjoys taking pictures and videos because she believes a photograph is a tangible memory. 

“Sure, we can say, ‘I’m going to remember this event forever,’ and parts of it you will, but I just think there’s something good about having something you could hold,” she said. 

McCollum said that at events like weddings or high school reunions, it may be the only time friends reunite. She shared that it is fun to capture memories during those events. She said Trailer Flash can add to the moment because it is an eye catcher. 

The couple is still aiming to accomplish their goal of getting out into the community and learning the world of business. 

“We’re still growing and learning and figuring it out,” she said. 

McCollum said social media is the best way for people to book them. She is currently getting ready to start being active on Instagram to continue spreading the word.

To learn more about Trailer Flash, visit their Facebook here.