One of the things that sets us apart from other photo booths in Toledo is that we love to create custom photo experiences for our clients. So when Chief Scientist Carl Nelson from Imagination Station called me to see if I could do Light Painting at their Bash, I was ecstatic. We had been looking for the perfect event to do this at for the past few years, and The Bash was it!
What is Light Painting and how does it work?
Light Painting is a mix of the Art of Photography and the Science of Light. Basically, you leave the camera shutter open for a few seconds longer than you do for a normal picture. By doing this, the camera will then record the light waves after the initial photo is taken, but does not get the source of the light waves in the photo. This effect works best in a completely dark room.
How we did it
We were located inside the Think Tank room at the Imagination Station for The Bash. This provided us with a totally dark room. We arrived early enough to not only get set up but also for my team to practice and experiment with the light sources. One of the first things we tried was an LED mini string light that Mark from Imagination Station tried. You can see in his picture that it did produce an interesting effect. However, we found out that it was just too long to use. After twirling it a few times, it got stuck on one of the hanging overhead lights in the room. Mark also provided us with LED paint brushes, and a few different light sticks, and my team’s favorite, the “wiggly” wand. Of course, I also brought a few of my own.
What We Learned
We learned (which I already knew) that when you are doing light painting, you don’t want the light source to go in front of your face. The light streaks completely cover your face if you do, as you can see in the practice photos above.
After a little practice with the different light sources, we were ready to go, and oh what fun we had. And so did the guests! We asked the guests whether they wanted to do the lighting themselves or have us do it. Most of them wanted us to do it for them, but there were a few brave souls who took a chance and had a blast!
Our team had a blast “painting the canvas” with light and became very creative throughout the night.
For more information about Kurt Nielsen Photography, please visit my website. To schedule a time to talk about your event or book my photo booth services, please call or text me at (419) 885-7153.
The holiday season is a time for joy, generosity, and meaningful traditions. For me, one of the most treasured traditions each year is partnering with Great Lakes Santas, an organization of professionally trained Santas who volunteer their time to bring Christmas magic to children throughout Ohio and Michigan.
Great Lakes Santas is a nonprofit group made up of real-bearded, professionally trained Santas who donate their time to brighten the holidays for families in need across Ohio and Michigan. Every Santa member meets strict professional standards and completes advanced training in child interaction, storytelling, safety, and ethical conduct.
But what truly sets them apart is their heart.
These Santas collect money through their membership dues and public and private donations. Our Santa Rance works strictly for donations to their charity, as do many of the other Santas in this group. 100% of their collected funds support their mission of helping children and families at Christmas.
It’s grassroots generosity at its finest.
Our Partnership: Born from a Year That Changed Everything
In 2020, when COVID shut down public holiday events and so many children were suddenly unable to see Santa, Santa Rance Miller reached out to me with a simple question:
“How can we bring Santa to the children safely, so the magic isn’t lost this year?”
Together, we created something entirely new for the Greater Toledo community:
The Santa Experience Christmas Mini Sessions
A private, child-led, interactive Santa mini photo shoot that is designed to feel magical, unrushed, and deeply personal, while producing stunning, heirloom-quality photos.
For the sixth straight year, this time-honored tradition continues, and each year grows more special than the last.
What Makes Our Santa Experience So Magical?
Our Santa Experience isn’t a typical “sit, smile, and leave” photo session. It’s 15 full minutes of uninterrupted time with Santa, but scheduled every 30 minutes so families have time to settle in and children can approach Santa at their own comfort level.
And we mean it when we say these sessions are completely child led. We never force children to do anything they’re not ready for. Some run right into Santa’s arms. Some just want to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus. Some want to check out all the toys in the studio and play. And yes… some cry. (And parents often LOVE those photos!)
Here’s what children can enjoy during their session:
Tell Santa what they want for Christmas
Bring and deliver wish lists or letters
Find their name on Santa’s Nice List
Listen to Santa read a Christmas story
Sit in Santa’s sleigh
Decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus (added last year—instant hit!)
Just relax, talk, and enjoy the magic of Christmas
This isn’t just a photo session. It’s an experience that families talk about all year long.
Why I Love Working With Santa Rance
Santa Rance is more than a man in a red suit. He’s the real deal.
He has years of experience working with children including teaching other Santas how to interact with children who have special needs at a professional Santa school.
He is endlessly patient, gentle, funny, and intuitive.
Every child feels seen. Every child feels safe. Every child leaves believing in the magic of Christmas.
Santa Rance never charges for sessions or appearances.
Instead, a portion of the proceeds from my Santa Experience sessions goes directly to Great Lakes Santas to help families in need have a Christmas.
If you’d like him for a corporate party, community event, or private home visit, I’m happy to connect you. He only asks for a donation to the charity.
You’re Invited: 2025 Santa Experience Mini Sessions
We kicked off the holiday season on Sunday, November 23, and the joy was contagious!
There are only two dates left with limited availability. Although it’s too late to schedule your Santa Experience Christmas Mini Session for today’s sessions, we still have a couple spots left for our last one on:
Thursday, December 11 — 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost: $100 – includes 5 full-resolution digital images Additional images are $10 each All images from the session can be purchased for just $150 more
To schedule your session, please call my studio at:
(419) 885-7153
These sessions are for all ages — littles, teens, adults, grandparents — but please limit to immediate family because sessions are just 15 minutes long.
Of course, not all are excited to see Santa!
Want to Help Great Lakes Santas Help Local Families?
The best part of the Santa Experience is knowing it directly supports children in need in our region. To learn more about our Santa Experience Christmas Mini Sessions at my Sylvania Portrait Studio, check out my website: Christmas Mini Sessions
This post is part of my Moments that Matter series, where I highlight organizations that make Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan stronger, kinder, and more connected.
Capturing their stories is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.
If your nonprofit, school, or organization is hosting a holiday event or fundraiser and wants to create unforgettable memories, I’d love to capture the magic for you.
Contact me to schedule a time to talk about your event or portrait needs.
Together, we’ll create moments that last a lifetime.
As we step into the season of giving and thanks, I’m honored to share why the work of Sylvania Area Family Services (SAFS) means so much to me personally, and how my photography and photo booth services help capture the powerful moments at their fundraisers and community events.
Why SAFS Matters
SAFS has been a cornerstone organization in our community for decades. Their mission is to “strengthen individuals and families through programs, resources, and advocacy.”
Here are some of the key impact areas:
Food the pantry: SAFS’s food-pantry work and “Harvest” program support families facing food insecurity, especially now with the economy shifts and with SNAP benefits being delayed or less than usual, SAFS steps in with assistance.
Youth & family programs: They offer after-school programs, summer camp, youth diversion, and more to help children thrive.
Holiday and emergency support: Everyone deserves to celebrate the holidays and SAFS “Adopt a Family” program ensures that all their clients have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas despite their economic disparities.
Personally, the cause is close to my heart: my wife used their food pantry while going through a difficult divorce. That experience reminds me every day how essential SAFS’s work is, especially when the economy and public support systems are under strain.
How I Support SAFS Through My Photography & Photo Booths
At On Tap & Uncorked in September, my team was there with my mobile Walk-About Social Booths to help bring fun, engagement, and memorable imagery to the event. At the annual Spring Gala, we had our instant printing Portrait Booth to capture the guests and create memories. These aren’t just snapshots—each photo becomes a digital keepsake that supports the mission:
Engagement & joy: Guests at On Tap & Uncorked sampled drinks, bid on silent-auction items, and enjoyed live music while participating in our photo booth. That fun moment connects to the deeper purpose: raising funds so SAFS can do more.
Honoring heroes: At the Spring Gala, SAFS honored community leaders who work tirelessly for the mission. Our photo booths have captured the community coming together and the images that tell a story of impact and hope.
Brand-awareness through imagery: Every image shared publicly helps spread the word about SAFS’s work. From social media posts to newsletter features, these visuals extend the reach of the cause.
Interactive Experiences for Personal Guest Involvement: Because my focus is on providing interactive experiential activations for corporate events and weddings, bringing this level of service to SAFS events elevates the overall production, and reflects how valued the nonprofit is in our community.
Why This Matters Now
With the economy shifting and programs like SNAP under pressure, the community’s need is growing. SAFS is not just reacting, they’re proactive. According to a recent report, SAFS served over 18,000 individuals in 2024 alone.
When we attend events like On Tap & Uncorked, we’re not just having a good evening; we’re raising money, increasing awareness, and supporting the systems that help a neighbor in crisis. My photography and photo-booth services are just one piece of how “giving back” becomes visible, joyful, and shareable.
How You Can Help
If you’re reading this and you’re moved by the mission, here are three meaningful ways you can support SAFS (and the work we’re helping document):
Attend an event: Mark your calendar for events like On Tap & Uncorked or the Spring Gala. Enjoy the evening, contribute via auction or ticket, and know your presence matters.
Share the stories: Help get the word out. Share images, tag SAFS on social media, post a favorite photo booth shot from the event. When people see you supporting it, they’re inspired too.
Donate or volunteer: Whether a monetary gift, food pantry drop-off, or your time helping with youth programs, every bit helps. Visit SAFS’s website for ways to plug in.
Our Walk-about Social Booth is Toledo’s first mobile photo booth that can go anywhere!
My Invitation to You
If your organization is planning a fundraiser, gala, or special event and you’re looking for high-quality gallery-style photography and engaging photo-booth experiences that speak to high-end clients, I’d love to talk with you. Capturing moments that matter is what I do. Helping causes like SAFS reminds me why.
Let’s work together to ensure your next event doesn’t just look amazing, it leaves a legacy of community, generosity, and connection.
For more information on how I can help you not just capture moments, but help create them for your event, please visit my website.
Client:Med1Care Event:Toledo Jeep Fest 2025 Location: Downtown Toledo, Ohio Service:Rosie the Robot AI Photo Booth Objective: Maximize brand awareness through immersive, shareable experiences and user-generated content
The Goal: Stay Top of Mind in a Sea of Sponsors
At an event as massive and competitive as Toledo Jeep Fest, simply showing up with a booth isn’t enough. Med1Care, a well-known healthcare provider in Ohio, returned to Jeep Fest in 2025 not just to make an appearance—but to leave a lasting impression.
As aJeepFest sponsor, Med1Care needed a way to:
Stand out among many participating vendors in a sea of thousands of festivalgoers
Make a meaningful connection with attendees that will last past the weekend
Extend their brand visibility long after the festival was over
The solution? Rosie the Robot AI Photo Booth — an interactive, branded content machine with a big personality.
Meet Rosie: The Robot That Became a Brand Icon
Rosie is Toledo’s first and only AI-powered, roaming robot photo booth. Controlled remotely and managed by myself and my team, Rosie offers:
Instant branded photo delivery via text
Fully branded start screen and text message
Fun AI-generated image options
Crowd interaction and mobile visibility
A futuristic, buzz-worthy presence
But at Jeep Fest 2025, Rosie didn’t just entertain the crowd—she became Med1Care’s most memorable brand ambassador.
Matching Shirts, Matching Mission
To amplify the partnership, Rosie and I both wore Med1Care’s custom Jeep Fest T-shirts, designed specifically for the event. These matched the shirts worn by Med1Care staff at both their indoor and outdoor booths—creating visual cohesion and seamless brand alignment.
The result?
Many attendees thought Rosie was part of the Med1Care team—a medical robot assistant or even a glimpse into the future of patient care.
Rosie became a walking, talking, photo-snapping symbol of Med1Care’s innovation, friendliness, and community involvement.
That’s next-level brand activation.
Strategy by Day
Friday @ Glass City Center
Rosie stayed close to the Med1Care booth during the vendor fair to warm up the crowd and build brand recognition.
Saturday @ Jeep Exhibit + Glass City Center Hallways
Post-parade, the crowd swelled, and Rosie ventured out. Rosie mingled through the Jeep history exhibit and main walkways, attracting attention and spreading awareness well beyond the booth.
Sunday @ Key Bank Building (4-Miler Race)
Med1Care sponsored the morning race, and Rosie was roaming the sidewalk and street near their tent where staff members were offering post-run foam rolling therapy. Her presence kept race participants near the booth longer and added fun to their recovery experience.
The Impact
Metric
Result
Total Photos Taken
496
AI Images Created
42
Texts Sent
461
Link Views
1,477
Photo Downloads
121
Direct Social Shares
29
Estimated Reach
44,278
Estimated Impressions
149,935
These numbers are based on industry-standard engagement algorithms from our photo booth software and reflect typical user sharing behavior on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
All photos were delivered digitally — fast, mobile-friendly, and ready to share
No prints increased session time, keeping long lines moving and increasing shareability
Images were branded with Med1Care’s logo, colors, and Jeep Fest branding
family posing for photo inside the Glass City Center at Jeep Fest
Why It Worked: A Modern Approach to Brand Awareness
Photos weren’t just taken—they were shared, posted, and downloaded, turning every participant into a micro-influencer for Med1Care.
Rosie Became Part of the Brand
The matching shirts and immersive integration made Rosie feel like she belonged to Med1Care. She didn’t just represent the brand—she embodied it.
Engagement Across Generations
From tech-loving Gen Zs to nostalgic Gen X Jeep fans, Rosie connected with all ages. Her novelty factor drew people in, while the photos gave them something worth sharing.
Better Than Influencer Marketing
Hiring influencers can offer quick results—but real guests sharing real moments offer more authenticity, wider reach, and longer-lasting impressions.
Why Brands & Event Planners Should Take Note
Rosie is more than a photo booth. She’s a tool for:
Brand awareness campaigns
Sponsor activations
Corporate events
Trade shows and Expos
Grand openings
Festivals
Races, walks, and community outreach
If your company wants to connect emotionally, generate UGC, and own the moment, Rosie can help you do it—brilliantly, memorably, and measurably.
About Toledo Jeep Fest
Hosted annually in downtown Toledo, Ohio, Jeep Fest is a massive celebration of the city’s proud history as the birthplace of Jeep® vehicles. With over 1,400 Jeeps in this year’s parade, a 4-miler race, and tens of thousands of attendees, it’s one of the Midwest’s most powerful platforms for community connection and brand promotion.
Final Thoughts
Med1Care’s activation wasn’t just a sponsorship—it was a smart strategy. Rosie helped turn their investment into content, visibility, and lasting brand impressions.
So, whether you’re a local business, national brand, or event planner looking for an edge—Rosie is ready to roll into your next event and become your brand’s new favorite ambassador.
Thank you Med1Care for having Rosie the AI Robot Photo Booth and Kurt Nielsen Photography as part of your JeepFest Marketing Campaign!
Rosie the Robot AI Photo Booth Serving Toledo, Ohio — and available for events nationwide
As a professional event photographer serving Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, I had the opportunity to work with The Toledo Zoo during their annual charity golf outing — The Hippo Classic — held at the picturesque Catawba Island Club, an exclusive destination with stunning views of Lake Erie. This premium event, designed to support the Zoo’s mission to Enjoy. Inspire. Educate. Act., offered an ideal blend of business development and philanthropy.
My role: deliver a seamless, branded, and engaging photographic experience for guests and sponsors — before, during, and after the event.
Photography Goals
Team Photos branded with event and sponsor logos
Instant photo delivery for social sharing and print takeaway
Event documentation of the scramble, lunch, dinner, and awards
Sponsor visibility with BMW of Toledo vehicle integration
Action shots of golf play and candid moments throughout the day
Our Solution: The Paparazzi Event Photography Experience
To enhance the guest and sponsor experience, I deployed my unique Paparazzi Event Photography Experience, a hybrid of professional event photography and instant photo booth delivery.
Key Features:
Facial recognition tagging
Instant galleries sent to guests via text or email
Fully branded photos for maximum sponsor exposure
Fully edited and optimized photos for best social sharing
Live uploads to a custom microsite for real-time access
On-site printing for immediate photo takeaway in keepsake folders
✅ The Paparazzi Experience ensures no one leaves wondering if they’ll ever see their event photos — they receive them instantly and share them effortlessly.
Event Highlights
🏌️♂️ The Golf Scramble
25 business-sponsored teams with 4 players each
Played “Par is Your Friend” format for faster play
Action and team photos captured on Tee 17 near the Pro Shop
Additional candid moments at the Tee 18 putting green
📷 Branded Team Photos
BMW of Toledo featured two luxury BMWs as a branded backdrop
Golfers were positioned between the vehicles for each team shot
Photos were printed onsite and ready by dinner under the beachside Pavilion
🍽️ Event Coverage
Lunch at the Side Door Bar pre-tournament
Full coverage of dinner and awards ceremony under the Pavilion tent
Documented interactions, sponsor recognition, and VIP moments
Measurable Results
📸 564 total photos captured
🧑 33 guests tagged using facial recognition
📁 Average of 4.1 photos per tagged guest
📤 Instant access to photos via text/email and microsite
🖼️ 100+ printed 4×6 branded keepsakes distributed
Why This Matters for Event Planners & Sponsors
Solving Key Pain Points:
No More “Where Are The Photos?” – Guests received theirs within seconds.
Increased Engagement – Social sharing amplified visibility for The Toledo Zoo, BMW of Toledo, and COFC Logistics, along with all of the other event sponsors.
Optional Data Capture – My software also supports GDPR compliant email/phone number collection for future outreach (available for future events).
About the Venue: Catawba Island Club
Nestled in the Catawba Cliffs, CIC is a scenic Arthur Hills-designed course offering luxury and tradition. Its pristine greens and lakeside views provided a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere — ideal for both business networking and high-end event photography.
Final Thoughts
The Hippo Classic showcased how intentional photography can do more than document an event — it can enhance guest experience, support brand storytelling, and create lasting impressions.
As an event photographerserving Toledo, Ohio, Catawba Island, and beyond, I’m proud to bring innovation, emotion, and efficiency to every project — especially those that support great causes like The Toledo Zoo.
Thank you Toledo Zoo, for allowing me to capture these memories
A special shout-out to Grace, Nicole, and the entire events team at The Toledo Zoo for creating an amazing and fun event. The behind-the-scenes work is endless but truly appreciated by all who participate! Thank you for entrusting me to capture the day.
📞 Interested in elevating your next golf outing or corporate event?
All photos used in the case study post are from the actual branded photo gallery that was sent to the players and guests at the event. These photos are optimized for instant social media sharing and look best on a cell phone. The full-resolution photos are sent to the event host after being fully edited. 📷
Thursday night, we had the privilege of capturing moments and making memories for the Owens Corning employees at their headquarters here in Toledo. This annual event honors the employees who make Owens Corning a Fortune 500 company and an important part of Toledo.
We started the evening with their Official Service Awards Portrait with the Pink Panther, Owens Corning’s mascot using our Portrait Printing Booth. This is more like a mobile portrait studio than a photo booth. We have a photographer take the photos for a more professional feel. For this event, the events team at Owens Corning set up a background using their Pink Panther mascot. This life-sized bobblehead adorns their halls and reminds them of the company’s history.
The attendees loved receiving a 5×7 print to take home as a momento of their career milestone.
While my team was positioned in the entrance area for the employees official photos with the Pink Panther, I was busy roaming with my Paparazzi Event Photography.
From table shots to candids, I was there documenting the evening. The best part of this style of event photography is that the guests don’t have to wait to get their photos from the company. My Paparazzi Event Photography works with AI Facial Recognition and sends all of their images in their own personal gallery right to their phones. The guests can either input their phone number, email address, or WhatsApp number in the sharing station and only have to do that one time. The software then recognizes their face and sends any photo that they are in to them, even if they are just in the background! It’s crazy and cool at the same time.
Of course, no event is complete without a fun photo booth! And our Rosie the Robot AI Photo Booth kept the guests entertained during the dinner and social hour. Not only did Rosie take “normal” photos of the groups of guests, but she also did lots of fun AI face swap photos turning the guests into Superheros, Pirates, Grafitti Art, Business Portraits, and the evening’s most popular choice, Rock Stars.
Needless to say, Rosie was a HUGE hit with the guest of the event and definitely was a head turning and drew a crowd all night long. Once the guests realized how fun the photos she create were, Rosie had a line the whole night. Some guests even wanted their photo taken with Rosie.
Needless to say, we had a blast capturing and creating the memories for the guests at this year’s Owens Corning Service Awards dinner, and I’m pretty sure they did too. As a corporate event specialist, it makes me feel like a Rock Star!
For more information on how I can capture the memories at your next event, call me at (419) 885-7153. Visit my website for more information.
The first photo experience was with our Venture Booth using a green screen inside the Malawi Center for the Zoo to Do VIP Experience. The graphic arts team at the Toledo Zoo created all of our backgrounds and borders so that they would all match the graphics that were used for this year’s Sunset on the Savannah theme.
With this 2-hour experience, 105 individual photos were taken, 282 4x6s were printed and 73 people requested that their photos also be texted to them. We also supplied them with some fun zoo animal inflatable props that everyone loved and many used in their photos.
Our second experience for the pre-party on the African Adventure side of the zoo was our stationary Selfie Kiosks in the Arctic Encounter near the polar bear exhibit. We had two green screen digital photo stations and guests could instantly text their images straight to their phones.
For this 2-hour experience, 186 photos were taken. This experience was open to all and the guests could enjoy a few drinks and bites of food while watching the polar bears who were extremely active that day.
Some guests had fun creating a GIF with this experience.
After the main side of the zoo opened for the party, our staff headed over to that side. They transformed our Selfie Kiosks into our Walk-About Social Booths and continued capturing the fun.
Our Walk-About Social Booths roamed the main part of the zoo for the rest of the evening. Our Team took an additional 140 photos while roaming for a total of 326 photos captured by our digital booths.
Of the 326 photos taken with our digital booths, 294 were downloaded, and 50 people copied the link for their photos. 47 people shared their images straight from their text to Facebook and Instagram. The images shared directly from the text link to Facebook were then shared another 87 times with over 3,000 views on those photos alone. We don’t know how many that downloaded their photos shared them, but we have seen many that have been posted on social media. The average number of people in each photo was four and their average age was 40.
For our fourth experience at the 2024 Toledo Zoo to Do, our team from the VIP party moved to the Amphitheater and provided our 360 slow-motion video experience.
For this experience, we created 160 videos. Since videos are very large files, we text the videos to the guests. Most emails won’t accept files as large as the videos created by our 360. We also use royalty-free music so the videos won’t get taken down once shared on social media.
As with all of our photo booths for this event, the intro slide was also created by zoo staff.
Do you remember, Dancing in September to Venyx at the Toledo Zoo to Do?
Oh what a night! We were not only proud and honored but also humbled to be able to capture and create so many memories for the guests who supported our Toledo Zoo at the 2024 PNC Zoo to Do presented by Lexus. Thank you to the Toledo Zoo for choosing us to be your Photo Booth Experience provider for such an amazing event!
Brad and Katie were married on Saturday and had their Epic wedding reception at Graystone Banquet Hall in Toledo. And what a party it was! Our Original Green Screen Photo Booth was slammed all night long! We are pretty sure that every single person in attendance made it into the booth at least once!
Before their wedding day, Brad and Katie came into the studio to pick their background choices for their guests to use at the reception. We love it when our couples get personal. Brad and Katie picked a photo from their engagement session to use as a background choice and it was pretty popular. They are a house divided so they also chose a background that represented their love for the Ohio State Buckeyes and University of Xichigan Wolverines rivalry. Other backgrounds they chose was the Toledo Loves Love mural, a tie dye rainbow, a beach scene to represent their honeymoon, and a nod to Tiffany’s with their last name on the background. Check out some of these images from their wedding photo booth.
And it’s always fun seeing my past couples out and about. Katie was in Bianca and Jay’s wedding a few years ago, so it was awesome to see that Katie and Brad had Bianca in theirs.
Congratulations Brad and Katie! It was my pleasure to be your Wedding Photographer and I hope all your guests enjoyed my Original Green Screen Photo Booth! You’ll have to let us know how you liked the scrapbook your guests made at the reception! It looked like they had a blast creating it!
Click Here for more information about my Original Green Screen Photo Booth, including pricing. Click Here to see all of the photos from Brad and Katie’s wedding photo booth. Keep watching my Wedding Blog for photos from Brad and Katie’s wedding. Don’t forget to check out my website for all of the photo booth and photography products and services that I offer.
Coming Soon! The Toledo Event Photography powered by Kurt Nielsen Photography Blog will be coming soon to introduce you to who we are and all that we do! We will be showcasing recent events that we not only added fun experiences to but will also show you the power of how a quality photo or video experience can add value to your event and even your marketing campaign and brand awareness. Please check back soon and subscribe to our blog to stay informed.
