KATHERINE Griffiths has always had a fascination with photobooths. Like many, she took thousands of photos of her life journey, squeezing herself, friends, and family into the frame, some mid-laughter and others, with the inevitable blink. She also has a remarkable collection of vintage photos and historical memorabilia related to the history of the simple analogue machine – all of which she shares in an online blog.
Now, the Mornington resident is thrilled that her work of nearly 50 years is being featured in an exhibition called Auto-Photo: A Life in Portraits at the RMIT Gallery in the city. “Catlin Langford, the curator, chose numerous images from my personal collection of images, as well as items from my collection of historical memorabilia related to the history of the photobooth,” Griffiths said. “While the exhibition’s main focus is on the work of Alan Adler, who owned numerous photobooths around Melbourne for 50 years, there are many artists from around Australia whose work has been included.”
Griffiths said she was “extremely excited” to be asked by Christopher Sutherland and Jessie Norman from Metro Auto Photo to participate in the exhibition. As a resident of 15 years, Griffiths was diagnosed with a genetic condition in 2013 called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, also known as Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, which she said had limited her general participation in the community, but for her work to be displayed as part of the exhibition was a huge opportunity and a highly rewarding moment.
“My blog, Photobooth Journal, began as a means by which I could share the thousands of images I’ve taken throughout my life. I also share the countless vintage images I own, while recording as much historical details I can find online,” she told The News.
Originally, she only documented aspects of her life or travels without props or costumes, but since 2011, Griffiths said she’s become more adventurous. “I’ve had a lot of fun dressing in costumes or using wigs, makeup and props to create characters and scenarios,” she said. “The photobooth is my playground as well as a wonderful creative outlet. As I’ve been taking photos since I was 12 years old, the photobooth has documented my growing older, while also marking visits from friends and special occasions.”
She also has a collection of found photos and older examples of booth pics that she bought on-line and in junk shops around the world. Griffiths said she liked to use the digital photobooth at Hoyts in Frankston, but “for the chemical booth that I love the most, I have to go to Flinders Street station”.
Auto-Photo, which marks a century of the photobooth, is a Centre for Contemporary Photography exhibition, presented in partnership with RMIT Culture. The free event runs until 16 August.
First published in the Mornington News – 24 June 2025
