Snap, pose, connect: An innovative app offers a unique way to capture memories and spark conversation at your next event
In the bustling heart of New York City, artist Morry Kolman has sparked a viral trend with his innovative app, Traffic Cam Photo Booth. By harnessing the power of publicly available traffic camera streams, Kolman has transformed the city’s streets into an interactive playground for capturing selfies making it the perfect backdrop for a unique and engaging team-building activity.
How it Works
Kolman’s website utilizes publicly available camera streams from the city’s Department of Transportation. Users simply select their desired camera, strike a pose, and capture their photo. With over 900 traffic cameras across New York City, there’s no shortage of picturesque backdrops to choose from.
Here’s what it can add to a conference trade show or convention:
Unique and Memorable Experience: This innovative approach offers attendees a fun and unconventional way to capture memories of their time in the city.
Conversation Starter: The project sparks conversations about technology, surveillance, and the creative use of public resources.
Social Media Engagement: Encourage attendees to share their photos on social media using a designated hashtag, further promoting your event.
Easy to Implement: The website is free to use, and no special equipment is required.
Team-Building Potential
The possibilities for incorporating this into a team-building exercise include:
Scavenger Hunt: Divide your team into groups and challenge them to find and capture selfies at specific traffic camera locations across the city. This encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and a bit of healthy competition.
Creative Challenge: Encourage teams to come up with the most creative or humorous poses for their traffic cam selfies. This sparks imagination and laughter, essential ingredients for team bonding.
Storytelling: Have each team member capture a selfie and then share a story or anecdote related to the location or their experience. This fosters personal connections and understanding within the group.
Icebreaker: For new teams or those needing a quick energizer, the Traffic Cam Photo Booth can be a fun and lighthearted way to break the ice and get everyone interacting.
Tips for Success
Embrace the Imperfection: As Kolman himself notes, the project is about “imperfect images.” Encourage your team to let loose, have fun, and not worry about capturing the perfect shot.
Safety First: Remind participants to prioritize safety when taking their selfies. Stay on sidewalks, obey traffic signals, and avoid disrupting traffic flow.
Tech Support: Familiarize yourself with the website beforehand and ensure everyone has access to a device with internet connectivity.
Share the Fun: After the activity, create a slideshow or collage of the photos to share with the team. This serves as a lasting reminder of the experience and the connections made.
Promote the Activity: Include information about the traffic camera photo booth in your event marketing materials and on-site signage.
Offer Prizes: Consider offering prizes for the best photos or most creative poses.
Incorporate into City Tours: If your convention includes city tours, encourage attendees to use the traffic cameras to capture photos along the way.
Beyond New York
If you’re planning an event in another city, explore the possibility of setting up a similar system using publicly available traffic camera feeds. Kolman’s project is open-source and accessible on GitHub, providing a blueprint for implementation elsewhere. Here are some other tips to get started:
Research Local Regulations: Check with your city’s Department of Transportation to ensure that using traffic camera feeds for this purpose is permitted.
Identify Available Feeds: Determine which traffic camera feeds are publicly accessible and suitable for the project.
Develop the Website: Utilize Kolman’s open-source code on GitHub or create your own platform to host the feeds and allow users to capture photos.
Promote and Engage: Market the project to your community and encourage participation.
By embracing this innovative idea, you can transform your city into a giant photo booth and provide your convention attendees with a unique and memorable experience.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo by Trafficcamphotobooth.com
