This FDNY Pride Celebration Proved How Powerful a Photo Booth Can Be. Especially at Work Events.
Every year during Pride, I choose one LGBTQ+ organization to sponsor with a free photo booth activation. It’s something I do from the heart, and it’s one of the most meaningful parts of running this business. This year, I had the joy of sponsoring the annual Pride celebration for FireFlag EMS, the LGBTQIA+ employee group within the New York Fire Department. And wow. This one will stay with me.
From the first email, I could tell this event was going to be special. I worked closely with Tom, the president of FireFlag, who leads with a mix of warmth, humor, and clarity. He knew exactly what would make this celebration feel joyful, grounded, and real. And he made sure the night reflected the full heart of the community.
Held at a church in the West Village, the event brought together queer firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and allies. People arrived in uniform and in lots of colors. There were heartfelt speeches, chosen family reunions, drinks in hand, and laughter spilling out across the room. For a lot of these folks, this chance to truly be themselves, surrounded by their people.
One of the most beautiful moments came when the Stonewall Chorale performed. For those who don’t know, they’re the nation’s first LGBTQIA+ chorus, and they sang the classics like only a queer chorus can. Dancing Queen had everyone dancing. Born This Way got the biggest cheers of the night. And Somewhere Over the Rainbow brought more than a few people to tears. Watching these powerful voices perform in a room full of queer first responders was deeply moving.
And right in the middle of it all was the photo booth.
My photo booth was a place where people connected. Firefighters who had never taken a photo together jumped in for their first one. Paramedics threw on rainbow glasses and posed with their coworkers. Friends came back three or four times just to keep the fun going. There was real joy in that booth. The kind that stays with you.
I looked up at one point and saw the Rent My Booth logo on the sponsorship poster, surrounded by Pride flags and logos from some incredible brands. It hit me how proud I was to be part of something like this. I’ve built this company from the ground up, and being in that room, supporting that celebration, was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget.
There was also a deeper layer to it all. Earlier this year, Deputy Chief Michele Fitzsimmons became the highest-ranking female firefighter in FDNY history. And she is proudly out. Her story, along with the leadership I saw from Tom and the unity at the party, reminded me how much progress has been made, and how much further we still have to go. But when you see queer employees in their element, supported and celebrated, it gives you hope.
To everyone at FireFlag EMS, thank you for the work you do. Thank you for the lives you save and the way you show up for each other. Thank you for letting me be part of your celebration. It was an honor to witness your joy and capture those moments on camera.
And to anyone wondering what a photo booth can bring to a workplace event, just know, it’s not about the props or the gear. It’s about creating a space where people feel free to smile, laugh, connect, and be seen.
That’s what Pride is all about.
