Wichita couple creates space, backdrops for people to stage selfies

Wichita photographer Ashli Enders enjoys all things photography, including running her own photography business Beck and Roam and renting out spaces to other photographers at The Photographers Loft.

She and her husband, Dillon Enders, wanted to create a space where the people in the photos can be the creators behind the camera. That’s how The Selfie Spot on Douglas, 1811 E. Douglas Ave., got started.

People can take selfies at 13 different photo areas with various props.

“I consider it like an experience in the best way to explain it,” Ashli Enders said.

People can buy up to one hour of time to take photos at any of the photo spots. Adults can buy an hour for $15; children 5-12 accompanied by a ticketed adult pay $10 for the hour. Admission is free for ages 4 and under with the purchase of an adult admission.

Since opening day on May 1, “business has been great,” Enders said. “We are seeing more larger groups recently for events, parties and nights out on the town.”

Each photo spot has a ring light, a mural and a stand for a phone or camera. If the customer is using a phone they can put it on the stand and start a self timer for the photo.

The Enders had the idea two years ago to start The Selfie Spot after noticing how popular selfie stations are in larger cities. They found inspiration wherever they went for the photo booths and murals.

“Like if we would be at an ice cream shop, ‘Oh an ice cream idea would be cool,’ and kind of just putting things together from that and everyday things that we see like, ‘I want to take a picture in front of that,’ you know,’’ Enders said.

Each booth and mural has a theme. One has greenery designed to look like a jungle. There’s an ice cream theme and a boho beach style booth. One of the current murals says “Wichita is not boring.”

The Enders are planning a few Halloween booths. They also will have a “haunted selfie house” event every Saturday in September and October. There will also be a trick or treat selfie event on Oct. 30. A Santa selfie event will happen every Saturday during December.

Enders said temporary booths will be changed out every few months. A few will stay permanently, including the greenery booth. The Enders have used materials like Styrofoam, cellophane wrap and Mylar paper to create different textures and elements. The mural backdrops were created by Enders and local artist Ashley Atkin.

Most selfie spots in other cities are considered pop-ups but Enders said she hopes that The Selfie Spot is around for a while and can eventually expand.

“I wanted to keep this more of a long-term thing depending on how it would do but expanding into something like a little bigger and more interactive is definitely a goal,” Enders said.

The Enders hope that customers come in and think of their time at The Selfie Spot as something that’s more than just smiling and pressing a button on a phone or camera.

“I just feel like we hear laughing in here the whole time,” Enders said.

Dillon Enders said that he enjoys seeing people come in to The Selfie Spot that you wouldn’t expect to see.

“I feel like everybody can come in here and have fun,” Dillon Enders said. “Like they are kind of in a little shell when they first get here and then once they ‘get here,’ they break out of that shell and they are just having fun.”

The Selfie Spot’s hours are 3-8 p.m. Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

The website, https://www.theselfiespotondouglas.com/, suggests signing up online ahead of time. Walk-ins are welcome if time slots are available.