SURREY – Jane Hunter and husband Dudley Jacobsen love to turn people into stars – if only for a few moments.

Their business, Pixstar Photobooth, turns those who are inhibited and shy into the silly and outrageous in a flash.

“People love our photo booths. It brings back the memory of being a kid in the mall and taking those silly pictures with your best friends,” said Hunter.

Pixstar Photobooth, which launched in October 2008, provides photo booths for rent at parties, corporate functions and events.

The photo booths, which Hunter and Jacobsen created and made from scratch, are designed to make the experience as much fun as possible.

“It started with pen and paper and lots of sketches. We talked to friends and got lots of input on their design,” said Hunter. “We didn’t want the tacky mall-version ones, so my husband built them himself. They have bigger seats in them for more people to fit into the booth and we can do back drops behind people as well.”

They have also incorporated costumes, hats and feather boas as options to wear in the booth.

The company started as a side-business for the husband and wife team. Hunter, who is a mom with a three-year-old daughter named Ayla Jacobsen, is a teacher by trade, and is currently expecting her second child in less than two months.

Jacobsen is a helicopter pilot and is currently working toward finishing his training hours.

Despite their intentions with Pixstar being a side business, it has proven to be anything but in the last year.

“We’ve been asked to franchise our business many times by people who want to do this in other communities. We actually did get commissioned to build one for a business in Kelowna. We weren’t ready to franchise the business yet, so were happy to do it,” said Hunter.

The couple’s first photo booth was built in their living room; however, their latest photo booth was built in a warehouse space, much to Hunter’s relief.

“It’s amazing to see how far we have come so fast,” she said.

The events where you’ll find Pixstars are usually on weekends, and their clients are mostly weddings and corporate functions, but they also do birthday parties and school events.

Both Hunter and Jacobsen believe they each bring something unique to the business, which has led to its immediate success. Jacobsen handles the mechanical and electronic aspects of the photo booths, while Hunter handles the administrative side and dealing with clients.

“The photo booth concept has become popular and we were really one of the first on the scene to do this. Lately we’ve started to see others try to replicate what we have done; however, we really believe that not all are created equal,” said Hunter.

Carla Bury, who lives in Vancouver, has used their services several times.

“I had used Pixstar for an event for my company, which is Intracorp Projects Limited. I’m the director of marketing for them, and really thought this was something to make our event successful. I think what the draw for our staff was that it allowed them to be silly and have fun. It was a way for them to let their hair down. For those who are uncomfortable in social situations, it helped loosen them up. The staff still have those photos pinned to their walls in the office,” said Bury.

She also used Pixstar for her daughter’s elementary school fundraiser.

“The school has had them back twice because they are so willing to work with us. They really rally the kids and made it a great fundraiser,” said Bury.

Hunter and Jacobson have plans to become less hands-on in the year ahead, and hire more staff to take on the events.

For now, Hunter said she and her husband are happy with the response they have had from people.

“I always tell people who are afraid to go in and be silly that the curtain is going to close and no one is going to see what they’re doing, so just have fun with it. It’s the perfect outlet for people that brings out their inner child. Life is so stressful and what we do allows people to let it go, just for a moment. We’re making people happy, and it’s the best job in the world.”

For more information on Pixstar Photobooth, check them out online at www.pixstarphotobooth.com.