Meet Kendal Banks-Paley of Ad Astra Photo Booths

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendal Banks-Paley.

Hi Kendal, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I worked in corporate Human Resources for about 15 years and was just really burnt out. It wasn’t fun anymore and I dreaded going to work everyday. After I had my second baby in 2022 I was lucky enough to be able to take a step away from my job to really reconsider what I was doing with my time. I wanted to have a job where I brought joy to people, got to connect with people and most of all have fun while I was doing it. I’ve always loved traditional photo booths and when I started thinking about what was next for me career wise, I couldn’t stop thinking about my photo booth business idea. I started Ad Astra Photo Booths out of my house in Lawrence, KS in 2023. I’ve been in business nearly a year and have had the opportunity to work with amazing couples, wedding vendors, and non-profits across the Kansas City metro area. We currently have two photo booths in our inventory and are getting ready to add a third booth to our lineup!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not sure that any entrepreneur journey is 100% smooth! Logically I knew that as a small business owner I would wear a lot of hats but you really do every single part of your business. I’m now an accountant, graphic designer, sales person, manager, social media marketer and more. There’s definitely been a big learning curve with some of those roles. I call myself the chief memory maker because it is usually me at events helping guests capture fun photos with our booths. I want our clients to have fun at our booth because that’s what it’s all about. Being silly, letting your guard down, and capturing memories with your friends + loved ones.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ad Astra Photo Booths is a full service modern photo booth experience. We’re the perfect add on for weddings, non-profit events and corporate events where you want to provide an activity for your guests and have them leave with a beautiful memory. We offer both digital and print packages.

We’re known for being a community focused business. In the past year we’ve had the pleasure of working with Explore Lawrence, The KS Half Marathon & 5K, multiple school districts as well as all of our wedding couples. We donate 5% of our profits back to community initiatives. This quarter that money is going to “Just Food” in Douglas County KS. Their mission is to end hunger in our community by increasing access to healthy foods, reducing barriers to health and well-being, and cultivating self-sufficiency. 19,000 individuals in douglas county are facing hunger with a large percentage of that number being children. We are thrilled to be able to support Just Food in providing a basic need to our fellow community members.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Oh I was definitely the goofy, class clown personality! I love to make people laugh and just be silly and let their guards down. We moved around a lot when I was growing up so I think that side of my personality really came out because of being the new kid so much.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.adastraphotobooths.com
• Instagram: @adastraphotobooths

Image Credits
Headshot by Leah Evans Photography