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    Photos on wheels

    Snap 'n go: Vintage Volkswagen bus transformed into mobile photo booth

    Whitney Radley
    Whitney Radley
    Jun 28, 2013 | 2:49 pm

    Photo booths have become ubiquitous at the modern wedding, replete with twee props and customized backdrops. That fact was not lost on Brittany Havican, a self-taught Houston photographer who shoots weddings and other special events when she's not working her regular nursing job.

    Meanwhile, her husband, Austin, had been eyeing vintage vans with a hankering to fix one up. When he came across a 1978 Volkswagen bus, painted a spotty orange and in need of some love, the wheels began turning.

    "What if we can get the bus to pay for itself, and have fun in the process?" he wondered. After a few days of careful consideration, Brittany gave the idea for PhotoMoto — a mobile photo studio — the green light.

    The Havicans purchased the bus early this year and spent the better part of three months doing repairs, learning as they worked and making fast friends with other VW lovers. PhotoMoto debuted at its first gig, a wedding on April 20, as a gleaming, picture-perfect beauty.

    "It's an ongoing process," Austin told CultureMap, indicating a couple of cosmetic and equipment improvements he still plans to make to the bus. Even as-is, it's as easy to use as your average kiosk: Slide into the back bench, smile for the camera, pose for four frames and watch the strips print out — about a minute from start to finish.

    Events have been steady since April, with an appearance at Pop Shop Houston in mid-May, a spot at Free Press Summer Festival in June, a Reddit meetup and a Whole Foods local vendor fair a few weeks ago.

    Wedding appearances are also getting booked up. Brittany explained that everything is fully customizable, from the handmade props to the logo printed at the bottom of the strips. Also, Austin pointed out, the bus is so compact that it can be rolled inside almost any building.

    Look for PhotoMoto to be camped out in front of Domy Books on Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. with Pride-appropriate props, and on July 12 at The Big Show 2013 opening at Lawndale Art Center. Bring a few bucks and get ready to cheese.

    After several months of repairs, PhotoMoto rolled out in April.

    unspecified
    news/city-life

    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot expands and more popular stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Dec 13, 2025 | 11:00 am
    Taste Kitchen + Bar chicken and waffles
    Courtesy of Taste Kitchen + Bar
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    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, beginning with new locations of hot brunch and burger spots. Plus, a Houston enclave is named the richest small town in Texas. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then plan your weekend via this guide.

    1. Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot sweetens Sugar Land with new location. One of Houston’s most successful brunch spots has come to Sugar Land. Taste Bar + Kitchen opened its second location on December 10, in the former Veritas Steak & Seafood space.

    2. Third location of Bun B's smash hit smash burger joint sets opening date. One of Houston’s most celebrated burger joints has arrived in Fort Bend County. Trill Burgers opened its new Missouri City location this week.

    3. Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston. A staple of the Galleria-area dining scene will soon serve its last meal. Grand Lux Cafe will close January 24, 2026.

    Grand Lux Cafe beignets Grand Lux Cafe is known for its baked-to-order desserts. Grand Lux Cafe/Facebook

    4. Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup. Roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston.

    5. This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas. Affluent Houston neighbor Bellaire is cashing in as the richest small town in Texas for 2025, according to new study.

    hot-headlinesopeningsbrunchbun bclosingsworld cuprichest citiesbellairemost popular stories
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