​​​​Reviving Retro:

The Photobooth Experts Behind A&A Studios

Anthony and Andrea Vizzari—the "A&A" behind A&A Studios—didn’t just stumble into the photobooth business; they built it from the ground up. It all started in 2007 when they wanted a vintage photobooth for their wedding. But after searching high and low, they realized the market was seriously lacking. So, they did what any creative, slightly obsessive duo would do—they bought their own 1960s analog photobooth.

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With zero experience but plenty of determination, Anthony dove headfirst into the mechanics of these classic machines, learning through trial, error, and a lot of late nights. Soon, they were renting their booth out for weddings and events in Chicago, and demand skyrocketed. Before they knew it, they were not just renting booths but selling and restoring them for clients around the world. As they tracked down and collected more vintage booths, A&A became the only company in Chicago operating classic analog photobooths for rentals. But there was one problem—these beauties weren’t exactly built for easy transport. So, Anthony, with his background in architecture and photography, reimagined the design. The result? A photobooth that looked like a vintage classic but had a sleek, modern digital interior. Even better, it broke down into four pieces, making it perfect for events. They called them "digital-retro photobooths," and they quickly became a hit.

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Soon, A&A Studios was placing photobooths in bars, venues, and events across the U.S. and beyond, earning a reputation as the go-to photobooth experts for both analog and digital setups. Today, from their studio just outside Chicago, they continue to build, restore, and support the photobooth community, keeping the magic of classic photo strips alive—one snapshot at a time.

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ANTHONY VIZZARI | President & Founder

As a passionate photographer, artist and former architect, Anthony brings his rich background to the design and restoration of the extraordinary photobooths produced by A&A Studios. His attention to capturing the nuances of vintage booths and finding solutions to work in today’s market are the hallmarks of his expertise. Anthony received a Bachelors of Fine Art from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and a Masters of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a working artist, and contributor to the Vernacular Photographic and Analog Community.

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ANDREA VIZZARI | Vice-President & Founder 

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At A&A Studios, Andrea combines her advertising and sales expertise with her lifelong passion for photobooths. Since acquiring her first vintage photobooth in 2007 with her husband Anthony, she has played a pivotal role in guiding the company's expansion and growth. Andrea is a creative, art lover, and collector. She partners with Anthony to manage many aspects of the business, including sales, communications, accounting, and project execution. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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KATI CLEAVER |  Director of Operations 

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As Director of Operations at A&A Studios, Kati keeps everything running smoothly. She handles photobooth preservation, route logistics, troubleshooting, and social media with expertise and efficiency. With a strong attention to detail and a problem-solving mindset, she ensures that both day-to-day operations and big-picture projects stay on track. Outside of work, Kati just got married and is a skilled ceramic artist.  

 

NIK BRINK | Technical Director

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A familiar face from our original Oak Park shop, Nik was one of A&A Studios’ first hires in 2010 while earning his B.A. in Photography at Columbia College. After years in IT, he’s back as our go-to expert for electronics, photobooth tech support, installations, and events. When he’s not tinkering with circuits or solving tech challenges, you’ll find him recording music in his basement studio or at Fitzgerald’s, either in the photo booth with his kids or watching his wife perform.

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CHRIS HOLMES | Fabricator 

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​Chris has been our hands-on, dependable photobooth builder for over 12 years. Rehabbing photobooths and creating new vintage-style booths are his specialty. He is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, exceptional craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication. Chris is famous for his sense of humor and love for obscure rock and roll. 

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WILL STEPHAN | Fabricator 

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Will is one of our newest fabricators collaborating with A&A Studios. Not only is Will the owner of Chicago Skateboard School and Sapient Skateboards, he is our go-to photobooth builder and expert fabricator. He manages his team of builders with expertise and effiiency, creating the most perfect photobooths. 

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RILEY VALENTINE | Route Tech & Studio Assistant

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Riley is our newest team member and has quickly proven to be our go-to gal for getting it done! Utilizing her creative abilities and exceptional work ethic, she assists our shop team with nearly everything, from photobooth restoration to repairing booths on our vending route. Riley is also a talented analog photographer and lover of photobooths, of course!

 

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