Vol. 128, No. 6 Thursday, July 12, 2018
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
HUMAN TULAREMIA CASE CONFIRMED IN LARIMER COUNTY
DON’T WAIT ‘4 H8’ THIS YEAR
MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE RELEASED
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Leslie Reeves is a bassoonist, an interior designer and now the owner of a mobile photo booth. The Weathered Oak made its premiere at Odell Brewing Company for FoCoMX in April and was received well by the community. Since then, Reeves and her photo booth continue to make appearances at many Fort Collins events. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATE AUSTIN-GROEN
The outside of the Weathered Oak photo booth is true to the camper’s original 1968 design. The inside is cozy and modern thanks to Reeves’s interior design skills. PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN
Local entrepreneur brings smiles with mobile photo booth By Miranda Moses @mirandasrad
With a multitude of degrees, a knack for making old things new and a 1968 Shasta camper, entrepreneur Leslie Reeves is quite literally a mother on the go. Reeves has created her own innovative photo business with the goal of making a joyful impact across Northern Colorado with the Weathered Oak Mobile Photo Booth. To celebrate the end of her educational journey, Reeves father, Paul, gifted her a camper
in December 2016. The next August, Paul passed away and Reeves began making the camper into the Weathered Oak with him in mind. “I love being in the camper, it reminds of my dad,” said Reeves. “When I was doing this project, I think that’s really the reason why I finished it because I did it in memory of him, so this whole thing makes me really happy.” Reeves has earned a bachelor’s degree in bassoon performance from Oklahoma City University, a master’s degree in bassoon performance from UCLA, a master’s degree
in music therapy from Colorado State University and a degree in Interior Design, as well as certificates in kitchen and bath design and architectural drafting from Front Range Community College. Due to water damage, the camper was once unusable for camping or road travel. Reeves renovated the camper for 10 months in order to turn it into what she describes as a “glamper photo booth.” The antique has since been transformed into a chic space Pinterest junkies would fawn over. The mechanism is completely
gutted and refurbished, with the original red ‘60s exterior being one of the only aspects of the camper that remains unaltered. Including a sound system with unlimited song options, hardwood floors, LED lighting, adjustable heat and A/C, multiple photo backgrounds including a green screen and radiant sparkles, Reeves put hard work into making the space posh and enjoyable for guests. “I really like to connect with people and community and see people smile,” Reeves said. “I had the nickname ‘Smiley’ in high school, so I’m like, ‘Why
not have a photo booth where people smile all the time?’” Bethany Cloud, the taproom manager at Odell Brewing Company, has worked with Reeves at several events. According to Cloud, Reeves demonstrates admirable and creative dedication to her business. “I think what people most enjoy about what the Weathered Oak brings to other businesses is the character and charisma that the entire experience has to offer,” Cloud said. “From the outside presentation, the see PHOTO BOOTH on page 14 >>