Orange County Realtors Makes Self-Promotion Natural for Real Estate Pros

Real estate professionals work in a fast-paced, fiercely competitive space where standing out isn’t optional—it’s essential.

While association membership is often part of the job, professionals such as real estate agents, brokers, property managers, marketers, and team leads rely on their local organizations for more than just the basics. They’re looking for tools to help them elevate their presence and stay connected.

Founded in 1948, Orange County Realtors (OCR) is the largest trade association for real estate professionals in California, an impressive distinction in a state known for its massive housing market and high-value properties.

With over a decade at a nearly 77-year-old organization, Marketing Manager Michelle McCann knows that in today’s market, being good isn’t enough. You have to be seen.

That mindset is exactly what led OCR to adopt Simple Booth HALO®, a modern photo booth platform that offers fun snapshots, branding galore, and so much more.

Incorporating Tools That Build Member Value

OCR integrates branded photo experiences into their events and office spaces, giving its 15,000 members an easy and engaging way to promote themselves and showcase the value of being part of the association.

“Realtors are always self-promoting—that’s part of how their job works,” Michelle says. “They want to take a photo, they want to post it, they want to brand themselves as an Orange County Realtors member. It gives them credibility.”

Supporting its members, including realtors and affiliated industry professionals, is central to OCR’s mission. From education and advocacy to networking and professional growth, the goal is to help members thrive in a relationship-driven field.

“They want to take a photo, they want to post it, they want to brand themselves as an Orange County Realtors member. It gives them credibility.”

– Michelle McCann, Marketing Manager

Simple Booth first appeared at OCR’s tradeshow booth during a real estate expo, where attendees posed in front of a custom mural wall. What started as a one-off idea quickly became a standout hit.

Members and staff loved it. In a profession where personal branding is everything, HALO proved to be a simple tool with a big impact.

It gave members a fun, low-lift way to capture moments, share their involvement online, and promote themselves in a polished, professional way. For OCR, it delivered real member value while keeping things simple for the team.

Every Event Is an Opportunity

OCR sees every event as an opportunity to help members strengthen relationships and create memorable experiences, whether it’s a laid-back mixer or a formal awards gala like Circle of Excellence.

OCR hosts between five to seven major events annually, with additional pop-up events throughout the year, ensuring members have frequent opportunities to network and capture branded content to share on social.

At themed events like Costume Bowl, Kentucky Derby Mixer, or their Annual Gala, HALO becomes a centerpiece. Members show up dressed to impress and ready to capture the moment—and the booth keeps the energy going long after the event wraps.

“It’s fun, yes,” Michelle says, “but it’s also purposeful. Members get a photo they actually want to share, and in doing that, they’re promoting their business and our association. It makes the whole event more impactful.”

Over time, the booth became such a staple that members and staff now ask, “Will the selfie booth be there?” It’s something people expect and genuinely look forward to.

“Members get a photo they actually want to share, and in doing that, they’re promoting their business and our association. It makes the whole event more impactful.”

– Michelle McCann, Marketing Manager

Branded Photos for Shared Wins

Photos taken with the OCR booths feature custom branding including the association’s logo and event details. When not in use at events, the booths are available in their lobbies, giving members an easy way to create content on demand. It’s a simple, effective way to keep engagement going year-round.

“We didn’t really think it was going to be anything people noticed,” Michelle says. “But people really liked it in our Laguna Hills office. And then years later, we got the second one for Fountain Valley.”

“It’s a win-win,” she adds. “They’re promoting themselves, and they’re promoting us. We didn’t expect it to have this much reach, but it really does.”

But the impact doesn’t stop at branding. By investing in their own HALO photo booths, OCR has saved thousands on third-party rentals. In Orange County, where a four-hour rental can cost between $400 and $1,100, consistent use across five to seven major events, pop-ups, and daily lobby access quickly adds up to significant savings.

“They’re promoting themselves, and they’re promoting us. We didn’t expect it to have this much reach, but it really does.”

– Michelle McCann, Marketing Manager

Evolving the Experience

As member expectations shift, OCR continues to fine-tune the experience.

When Wi-Fi cuts out at crowded venues, they rely on Simple Booth’s offline upload queue to keep things running smoothly. And when a green screen feels like too much or just doesn’t look great, the team is excited to start using the virtual background feature for a cleaner and more flexible setup.

Even less tech-savvy members have embraced the booth. From stills and GIFs to bursts and Rebounds, it adds novelty, energy, and ease to every event and office visit. The variety of formats keeps things flexible, creative, and consistently fresh no matter how often it’s used.

Looking ahead, OCR is also exploring a hardware upgrade. They’re considering the latest iPads to improve photo quality and encourage even more social sharing. “We’d just need to build it into our nonprofit budget,” Michelle says. “But it’s absolutely something we’re interested in.”

Every update, tweak, and feature addition is made with one goal in mind: delivering something useful, memorable, and enjoyable for members.

A Simple Way to Stand Out

At first glance, it might just look like a photo booth. But for OCR, Simple Booth HALO has become something far more strategic: a member experience tool, a brand builder, and a reliable way to create content that lives beyond the event.

“Real estate is competitive,” Michelle says. “And our members are always looking for ways to stand out. The booth gives them a way to do that that’s fun, modern, and approachable—and it reflects well on us, too.”

From Derby-day selfies to office drop-ins, HALO has proven to be a smart, scalable way to bring people together, spark conversation, and deliver real value—one branded photo at a time.