Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Serran Bilgin.
Hi Sara Serran, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m the daughter of a salesman father and a painter mother, so creativity and entrepreneurship were part of my life from the very beginning. I got my first taste of working life at 10 years old, selling bagels at my school cafeteria, and during summers I’d help out at my dad’s store.
I came to California in 2016 with a dream to meet new people, grow personally, and complete my education. It turned out to be the beginning of something amazing. In 2020, I started building my own brand. What began as an entertainment company evolved into the Photo Booth business I run today.
Before launching my own company, I worked for others to learn everything I could about the industry. That hands-on experience helped shape my approach and gave me confidence as a founder.
California continues to be my biggest inspiration. I’m deeply moved by the diversity, creativity, and sense of inclusion here. It’s a place where everyone has a story, and I feel grateful to be building mine here.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I started building my business right around the time COVID hit, and that changed everything. Like many others, I found myself isolated far from family, facing uncertainty, and trying to keep my creativity alive in a time when the world felt paused.
There were moments where I had no one to lean on for guidance, so I had to become my own mentor. I learned how to motivate myself when no one was watching, how to figure things out when I didn’t have all the answers, and how to keep moving forward even when things felt unclear or heavy.
That period forced me to grow in ways I wasn’t expecting. It taught me discipline, patience, and resilience. Looking back, I wouldn’t change those challenges, because they shaped the person and businesswoman I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
AfterShine Photo Booth is more than just a photo booth we create personalized, high energy experiences that turn moments into memories. We specialize in everything from weddings and private parties to large-scale corporate events, offering services like custom guest books, brand activations, and even data collection for businesses.
What sets us apart is how prepared and intentional we are. We blend fun with professionalism bringing not only top-tier photo quality but also a unique, engaging experience your guests will remember. Whether it’s a boomerang, GIF, or beautifully styled photo, everything is instantly shareable on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more.
Our booths aren’t one size fits all, we customize everything to match your vibe, brand, or event theme. We’re proud to serve the entire Southern California region and take pride in being known for quality, creativity, and care.
Most of all, I want people to know that AfterShine is here to elevate your event. We’re not just capturing images, we’re capturing joy.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can reach out to work with us through our website, social media, or email. Whether it’s booking a photo booth, planning a collaboration, or discussing creative ideas, we’re always excited to connect. We love building genuine relationships and bringing great energy to every event we’re part of.
Pricing:
- $450
- $550
- $650
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aftershinephotobooth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aftershinephotobooth?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
