Today we’d like to introduce you to Andee Markus.
Hi Andee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My background has always lived somewhere between photography, artistry, and weddings. Growing up, my mother was a florist, and some of my earliest memories are of being by her side in flower shops, watching arrangements come together and learning the rhythm of the wedding and event industry long before I had the words for it. My first official jobs were in flower shops, and that early exposure gave me such an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work, beauty, and intention that goes into a celebration.
I started studying photography at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida, and continued through college before graduating with a BFA in Fine Arts. After graduation, I worked for a local photography studio that specialized in school portraits and events. Over time, my role shifted from being behind the camera to the administrative side of the business, where one of my responsibilities was hiring photo booth vendors for high school proms and events.
I eventually left that position, and reached out to one of those photo booth contacts during prom season to see if they needed extra help. Within weeks, I was running nearly every part of the company — hosting events, managing logistics, answering emails, handling social media, and everything in between. I did that for five and a half years, and it gave me a deep understanding of the photo booth and event industry.
After becoming a mom, I started to feel pulled toward building something of my own — something more intentional, more refined, and more aligned with the kinds of events I loved most. With my background in photography, photo booths, weddings, and events, and my husband’s background in woodworking, we knew we didn’t want to simply order the same booth everyone else had. We wanted to create something custom, beautiful, and thoughtfully made.
That’s how Bokeh & Birch was born: handcrafted birchwood photo booths designed for modern, design-forward celebrations — where the booth feels like part of the event, the photos are genuinely beautiful, and guests leave with a tangible memory in hand.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a perfectly smooth road, but I think that’s true of anything worth building. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to trust my own vision. Bokeh & Birch was never meant to be just another photo booth company — I wanted it to feel intentional, elevated, and personal, from the way the booths are built to the way clients experience them. Creating something niche often means you have to be willing to do things differently, even when the easier path would be to follow what everyone else is doing.
Another challenge has been balancing the many roles that come with owning a small business. I’m not only thinking about events and client experience, but also design, logistics, marketing, emails, maintenance, growth, and all the behind-the-scenes details that people don’t always see. Add motherhood into the mix, and it has really taught me how to be intentional with my time, my energy, and the kinds of events and clients I say yes to.
But those challenges have also shaped the business in the best way. They’ve made me more thoughtful, more selective, and more committed to creating an experience that feels beautiful, seamless, and genuinely memorable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Bokeh & Birch, we create handcrafted photo booth experiences for weddings and events that care deeply about both aesthetics and experience. We specialize in custom-built birchwood photo booths that feel warm, intentional, and beautifully integrated into the event design — not like an afterthought tucked in the corner.
With my background in photography and weddings, I’m very particular about the quality of the images, the flow of the guest experience, and all the little details that make something feel seamless. Our booths are designed to be visually beautiful, but also approachable and fun. I love that they can become both part of the decor and part of the entertainment.
What sets us apart is that we approach photo booths with the eye of a photographer, the care of a craftsperson, and the heart of someone who truly understands weddings and events. Our booths are handcrafted, not mass-produced, which allows them to feel personal to our brand and special for our clients.
What I’m most proud of is that Bokeh & Birch has allowed us to build something that feels truly our own — something rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and connection. At the end of the day, we’re helping people preserve the joy of a celebration in a tangible way, and that still feels really special to me.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think the wedding and event industry will continue moving toward experiences that feel more personal, intentional, and guest-centered. Couples are no longer choosing details simply because they are expected or traditional; they want their celebration to feel like a reflection of who they are. We’re already seeing a shift toward immersive design, meaningful entertainment, and thoughtful guest experiences, and I think that will only continue over the next five to ten years.
For photo booths specifically, I think the standard “prop table in the corner” is becoming less relevant. Clients are looking for something that feels more elevated and integrated into the overall design of the event. They want beautiful photos, a seamless experience, and something their guests will genuinely enjoy — not just a novelty.
I also think there will be an interesting balance between digital content and tangible keepsakes. Social media and fast-turnaround content are a huge part of weddings and events now, but I believe people still crave something physical to hold onto. There’s something really special about leaving a celebration with a printed photo in your hand — a small, joyful reminder of that exact moment.
Overall, I see the industry becoming more curated, more design-forward, and more focused on meaningful experiences. For us, that is really exciting because Bokeh & Birch was built with that in mind: creating photo booth experiences that are beautiful, personal, and memorable from start to finish.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bokehandbirch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bokehandbirchphotobooth
- Other: https://linktr.ee/bokehandbirch
