NYC Retail Activations That Drive Foot Traffic and Build Your Brand

Bring the fun. Capture the moment.

Based in the East Village | Trusted by 150+ NYC events | Seen at Framebridge, CAMP, and more

Looking for a way to turn shoppers into superfans? A hosted photo booth brings energy, personality, and attention to your store. I'm Ben Hawes, and I create interactive retail activations that do more than just entertain. I help brands connect with the people walking by their storefront.

From family-friendly weekends to Pride celebrations and product launches, I’ll bring the setup, the spark, and the follow-through.

Person wearing oversized denim jacket, colorful accessories, and blue hat, holding a drink against a sparkly backdrop.
Assorted colorful novelty sunglasses and toy boxes on a dark surface, with a headband featuring cow-patterned plush horns.
Three people having fun in a photo booth with musical and festive props, including inflatable guitars, oversized sunglasses, and cowboy hats, standing in front of a glittery backdrop. The bottom captures the Via logo.
Person in shiny jacket and cowboy hat with inflatable alien against silver curtain backdrop.
Person holding a collection of photo booth strips featuring groups of people posing with various props against a blue backdrop. The bottom of one photo strip has 'Spin Master Nyte Party 2023' printed on it.
Man in a shiny jacket and novelty sunglasses making various expressions in a photo booth setup, with "Class of 2004 20th Reunion" text and a logo for Bellmore JFK Alumni Inc.
A collection of colorful party accessories, including various novelty sunglasses, leis, beaded necklaces, and a pink hat. Background includes part of a "Party Holics" sign.
Three people wearing retro 80s outfits pose in front of a shiny pink backdrop, with a ring light setup for photography in the foreground.
Four people posing in a photo booth with colorful, abstract painted background. They hold signs and smile playfully. Text reads "People and Planet Over Profit," dated May 26, 2022.
Collection of colorful party props including metallic microphone props, green and white sunglasses, and a silver hat on a wooden table.
Photo booth collage with five women wearing colorful cowboy and novelty hats, celebrating an anniversary. The text reads "James & Julia 10 Year Anniversary."
Four people posing in a photo booth with props like inflatable guitars and microphones, wearing cowboy hats, against a glittery backdrop. The logo 'Via' is displayed below the images.
Group photo of people wearing playful costumes and large glasses against a gold backdrop, with the text "ennead" below.
Two people posing in a photo booth with gold tinsel backdrop, wearing props like a pink cowboy hat and blue oversized glasses, holding a "censored" sign. Text at the bottom reads "Mikee's 30th Birthday, Siopao Pocha, November 23rd, 2024."
Three people wearing cowboy hats posing in a photo booth with inflatable guitars, smiling and making fun gestures, in front of a glittery backdrop. The Via logo is displayed at the bottom.
A photo collage of four people posing in front of a fiery backdrop with the text '2DEGREES' at the bottom. Each of the four frames shows the group making different poses, some wearing sunglasses and making peace signs.
Collage of three people celebrating in a photo booth with props at an event. The background is sparkly gold. One person wears a silver cowboy hat, another holds a film clapperboard, and a third raises a colorful hat and drink. Text below reads: 'Jame
Two people posing in front of a gold backdrop in four pictures, wearing cowboy hats and colorful clothing. One is holding a sign reading "Sarah Batchu, Democrat for City Council." Bottom image features the same text logo.
Group of three women posing in a photo booth with props including a rainbow fan, "Girl Gang" sign, and "VEGAN" cap. The background features colorful abstract patterns. Text reads "People and Planet Over Profit May 26, 2022."
Group of people at a space-themed party posing with inflatable aliens, wearing cowboy hats and holding a toy space shuttle. They are standing in front of a metallic fringe curtain.
Three women posing in front of a shiny pink backdrop, wearing retro-inspired outfits including sunglasses, a red sweater, leather pants, a bandana, a bucket hat, and a colorful tracksuit.
Red pom-poms, a red cowboy hat, and a disco ball with silver balls inside on a table, with a blue-lit bar in the background.

What Makes a Great Retail Activation in NYC?

Here’s why store managers and brand teams choose Rent My Booth

1. It drives real foot traffic

A photo booth is a natural attraction. People see lights, props, and prints—and they want to know what’s going on. It gives them a reason to stop in, explore the store, and stay longer.

2. It creates branded content for your store

Every photo is customized with your logo or campaign design, giving guests something physical to take home and something digital to share. You also receive a full gallery of photos for future use on your website, social media, press releases, or investor updates.

3. It boosts employee morale

Your team deserves fun too. Activations are more than a marketing play—they are also a chance to energize your employees and celebrate your brand values in action.

4. It helps convert guests into customers

As a former employee engagement leader, I know how to create a welcoming and authentic moment. I don’t just stand by the booth—I invite people in, hype them up, and often help your staff transition them into learning more about your products or services.

A Few Past In-Store Photo Booth Activations

Framebridge – Greenwich Village
Pride 2025 brought a parade of photo booth stars to the Framebridge storefront. Guests posed with rainbow props, snapped branded prints, and learned about how to turn their favorite moments into framed art. It was a powerful way to align brand storytelling with community connection. Read more here.

CAMP Toys – Chelsea
In celebration of Jimmy Fallon’s new children’s book, this toy store activation was designed to bring families in for a fun day of prints, props, and play. It gave the CAMP team new content for their emails and social media, while giving shoppers a reason to stick around and explore the store.

Why Retail Teams Choose Me for Activations

  • Locally based in the East Village and available citywide

  • Not a drop-off booth. I stay, I host, I engage

  • Focused on both customer and employee experience

  • Trusted at over 150 New York City events

  • Custom-designed prints, curated props, and real hosting included

  • Photos people love to share

  • Fully branded setup available for product launches, pop-ups, and special events

Simple Flat-Rate Pricing for Retail Activations in NYC

A photo booth for most one-day in-store activations range from $649 to $1495+, depending on setup, size, and branding. Every quote includes hosting, props, unlimited prints, a fully designed print template, and setup that fits your floor plan.

I’ll work with you or your brand team to make it seamless and on-brand.

✅ Unlimited prints
✅ Custom logo design
✅ Real-time hosting and support
✅ Optional social media content and behind-the-scenes photos
✅ Setup in about an hour

Get a Personalized Quote for Your Retail Activation

Simple pricing. Instant brand energy. Fast follow-up.


Most NYC retail activations range from $649 to $1495, depending on setup, duration, and any custom branding. But don’t worry about the math.

Fill out the form and I’ll send over a personalized quote today. Flat rate, no surprises, no confusing add-ons or upsells.

✅ Trusted at 150+ NYC events
✅ Hosted by me, Ben (I’m there the whole time)
✅ Branded prints, curated props, and a stylish setup included

Let’s make it easy. Tell me what your store has planned, and I’ll help bring people through the door.