HSMAI Gala Tempe AZ

Beyond Background Swaps: Engineering a "4-Layer Brand Ecosystem" for HSMAI

We had the opportunity to bring out our OAK Photo Booth for the HSMAI Gala and awards ceremony. The challenge is that the theme was "Pineapples and Palm Trees"—a concept that required a delicate balance between "fun tropical vibes" and "black-tie elegance. We wanted to use Green Screen technology not to replace reality, but to augment it. We needed to create a portrait-style image that felt like a high-end studio shoot, while seamlessly integrating the event’s branding.

The "Digital Composite" Technique

We deployed the OAK Booth—our premium hardware solution—but the real magic was in the software architecture. Instead of a simple background swap, we used the Green Screen to build a 4-Layer Brand Ecosystem.

This technique allows us to treat the image like a Photoshop file in real-time, placing the guest inside the artwork rather than just in front of it.

The Workflow

  • The Foundation (The Background): We selected an elegant, high-resolution Champagne textured background. This served as the sophisticated "studio wall" that matched the gala’s upscale decor.
  • The Brand Integration (The Layering): Using the chroma key tech, we digitally "mounted" the HSMAI logo onto the virtual Champagne wall. This created depth—making the logo look like a physical sign installed at the venue, rather than a sticker floating on the photo.
  • The Subject (The Guest): We captured the guests with studio-quality lighting and placed them in the foreground, creating a natural separation from the background logo.
  • The Accent (The Frame): Finally, we wrapped the composition in a custom "Pineapples and Palm Trees" digital frame. This tied the specific event theme together without overpowering the guests' faces.

The Deliverable: Tactile Luxury

To ensure the digital experience translated into a physical memory, we bypassed standard photo paper. We printed exclusively on 5x7 Metallic Media.

  • Why this matters: The metallic finish catches the light, making the Champagne background shimmer and giving skin tones a radiant glow. It transforms a "throwaway print" into a premium keepsake that ends up on a desk, not in the trash.