for the moments worth crossing for

The 1881 Studio started from something personal. The name comes from the 1,881 miles between San Francisco and Mexico City, a long distance relationship that became a big part of our story. Long distance taught us how meaningful photos can be — not just as pictures, but as reminders of the moments we shared, the memories we created, and the feeling we wanted to hold onto.

When my partner and I visited South Korea, we noticed how popular photo booths were, and of course, we had to try a few ourselves. We took photos and videos in different booths, and those photos ended up meaning so much to us. Every time we look at them, they bring us back to that trip and make us want to go back all over again.

That experience inspired me to start thinking about what a potential business could look like. I wanted to create something that gives people more than just photos — something that helps them hold onto a feeling and remember a moment in a real way.

That’s how The 1881 Studio came to be. We create modern, editorial-style photo booth experiences for weddings, celebrations, and brand events, with thoughtful details that feel elevated, timeless, and worth keeping.