Stunning Vintage Photobooth Selfies from the 1920s Reveal the Playful Side of the Lost Generation

Before front-facing cameras and Snapchat filters, there were photo booths; they were the OG way to take a selfie. For decades, these little curtained boxes have been common features in train stations, boardwalks, and mall corners. By the 2000s, they'd become more of a novelty (or, for some of us, a MacBook app we'd spend hours playing with). Now, they've evolved into wedding must-haves complete with props and ring lights.

But long before all of that, people in the 1920s were already stepping inside of those tiny booths to snap their own keepsakes. And these photos show a side of the Roaring Twenties that you don't often see. You might associate portraits from the era with stiffly-posed, sepia-toned photoshoots, but these women are grinning, laughing, and striking playful poses for the camera. Sure, a few still hold that signature 1920s composure, but most look wonderfully human and modern. A century later, we're still doing the same thing every time we fix our hair, tilt our heads, and freeze a moment in time with our phones. These photo booth "selfies" from the 20s prove that the instinct to document ourselves is totally timeless.

Author image for Ely Bulnes Ely Bulnes
Advertisement

Tags

cool fashion photography old school retro history nostalgia 1920s interesting Nostalgia Overload Photo selfie 20s women vintage
Scroll Down For The Next Article

Also From Geek Universe

I Rewatched The Entire Twilight Series Before The Theatrical Re-Release And Barely Survived

I Rewatched The Entire Twilight Series Before The Theatrical Re-Release And Barely Survived

Trending Now

Relive the Glory Days With These 28 Throwbacks Every 90s Kid Will Love

Relive the Glory Days With These 28 Throwbacks Every 90s Kid Will Love

01
20+ Lord of the Rings Memes for OG Fans Who Were There 3000 Years Ago (October 10, 2025)

20+ Lord of the Rings Memes for OG Fans Who Were There 3000 Years Ago (October 10, 2025)

02
26 Throwbacks to a Time Long Gone (Yes, we’re all ancient now - just embrace it)

26 Throwbacks to a Time Long Gone (Yes, we’re all ancient now - just embrace it)

03
30 Lord of the Rings Memes for Those of Us Who Were There, 3000 Years Ago

30 Lord of the Rings Memes for Those of Us Who Were There, 3000 Years Ago

04
No Doubt Reunites for a Las Vegas Sphere Residency in 2026, and Gwen Stefani Becomes the Venue’s First Female Headliner

No Doubt Reunites for a Las Vegas Sphere Residency in 2026, and Gwen Stefani Becomes the Venue’s First Female Headliner

05
30 D&D Memes for Every Player Who Has Ever Lost Their Character Sheet

30 D&D Memes for Every Player Who Has Ever Lost Their Character Sheet

06
Advertisement