Step into the vibrant world of Ellen Murray, the visionary founder behind the one-of-a-kind venture, Margot Camper. In an exclusive for House of Coco, we unveil how she’s Capturing Joy through vintage VWs and photography, and an unwavering commitment to joy in a thriving business that captures the essence of every special moment.
Ellen’s story is a testament to the magic that happens when creativity meets determination. From her childhood fascination with photo booths to inheriting a stunning 1965 pink floral camper from her father’s successful VW garages, the seeds of Margot Camper were sown in a unique blend of nostalgia and vision.
Unveiling the Joyful Journey of Margot Camper
Ellen’s entrepreneurial journey, though undoubtedly filled with challenges, reflects her unwavering dedication to making dreams a reality. From overcoming the initial hurdles of transporting Margot to events to leaving a full-time job to pursue her passion, Ellen’s story is a beacon of inspiration for those seeking to turn a unique idea into a successful venture.
In this House of Coco exclusive, Ellen also provides a sneak peek into the future, hinting at Margot’s potential relocation to California and the recent launch of their new artisan booth, the ICON, promising even more delightful surprises for their audience.
Join us as we delve into the world of Margot Camper – where vintage meets modern, creativity knows no bounds, and every photograph tells a story of pure joy. Ellen Murray’s journey is a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, creative ingenuity, and the boundless happiness that can be found in the most unexpected places.
Genesis of Margot Camper
Can you tell us about the moment when the idea for Margot Camper first struck you? What inspired you to combine vintage VWs, photography, and props into this unique concept?
I have always LOVED a photo booth; ask any of my friends, and they will tell you I am always the one dragging everyone into the booth, and I will be there for at least four goes. My dad owns a couple of very successful VW garages and has done so for about 22 years now. When my sister and I were 11 and 7, he bought us this beautiful 1965 pink floral camper.
Then one day, while I was sitting in Margot taking selfies with my friend’s little sausage dog, I thought, “Why don’t we make this into a photo booth?” There must be a way of combining my love for photos, props, and vintage pink camper vans, and there was! I have always wanted to work within the events industry, and having Margot has helped me achieve this. It has been a good way for me to also use my photography skills and capture the memories captured in the camper!
The Intersection of Fashion Photography and Vintage Vibes in Margot Camper
Fashion photography and vintage VW campers seem like quite the dynamic duo. How did your background in fashion photography contribute to the creation of Margot Camper?
When I was in my second year of college, I used Margot for a ’60s-style photo shoot with one of my best friends, Martha. She’s a model, and we styled her in a pink 1960’s dress, shooting the whole thing on 35mm color and black & white film. We did this to convey the vintage feel, and it’s still one of my favourite shots.
Vintage camper vans are iconic; as soon as I think of a camper van, I think of the ’60s, Twiggy, Mary Quant, The Beatles, and I think studying fashion photography really allowed me to look into the trends and influences of the 60s/70s.
Your campervan is a fantastic blend of 1970s and modern photography technology. How do you balance these two eras in your business aesthetics?
Margot is a fantastic blend of vintage and modern. We have kept her paint, pattern, and fabulous pink exactly how we found her, and we were very reluctant to change her look/style; we wanted to preserve her vintage charm. We have only modernized the inside and kitted it out with the newest and most professional camera equipment. We have incorporated 1970s-inspired elements such as retro-themed upholstery, vintage accessories, and nostalgic details.
Vintage VW campers often have their unique personalities. If Margot the camper had a personality, how would you describe it?
She is the life of the party! Bubbly, fun, and FULL of character. She is one of a kind.
The Margot Camper Experience
Margot Camper is all about combining creativity and joy. How has running this business influenced your own creative pursuits and overall happiness?
Running Margot Camper has greatly influenced my own creative pursuits and overall happiness. I have recently left my full-time job to make running Margot my main priority, and I am so excited for what’s to come. Having Margot has provided me with opportunities to collaborate with other talented creatives.
Being a photographer myself, I have been able to push myself by creating my own styled shoots featuring Margot, and having this business has pushed me to network with some amazing people within the industry! Witnessing the positive impact that Margot has on our couples and the fabulous people that book us contributes to my sense of happiness and fulfilment.
With your background in fashion photography, you likely have a keen eye for aesthetics. How do you curate the perfect atmosphere within Margot’s camper for people to feel comfortable and creative?
Creating the perfect atmosphere within Margot involves a careful curation of elements to ensure comfort and creativity. Our interior color scheme creates a sense of tranquillity, following through with the pastel color theme and neutral tones. The added accessories such as cushions, blankets, and deck chairs propped up outside of the camper make it feel relaxed and warm; the more comfortable people feel, the better the photos!
Instagram has become a hub for sharing creative photos. How has the Instagram community embraced Margot Camper, and do you have a favourite Instagram moment involving your camper?
I love Instagram; I think it’s great for businesses like ours as it is such a creative platform. We have managed to connect with lots of amazing brands, and so many opportunities have been opened up to us via Instagram. A favourite Instagram moment of mine would have to be one of our early posts; we used my friend’s sausage dogs and dressed them up in cute little Hawaiian hats and took the best photos. It had such a good response!
Starting a unique business like Margot Camper must have come with its own set of challenges. Could you share a hurdle faced and how you overcame it in the early stages?
I think one of the main struggles I had when starting out was working out how to transport Margot to events. When we first thought of converting her, she wasn’t the smoothest to drive, shall we say; she is a 57-year-old bug, and that in itself comes with its own hurdles, ha-ha! But with a little bit of tweaking, she now drives like a dream if we keep it local, and for the events we have a bit further away, we trailer her (which has also been a fun thing to learn).
Staying Motivated in the Margot Camper Journey
Running a business requires dedication. What keeps you motivated and excited about Margot Camper, even on the busiest days?
I can’t imagine myself doing anything else; it doesn’t feel like work. We get to be a part of someone’s special day/event, and that’s special. I feel so privileged that couples pick Margot to be a part of one of the most special days of their lives. She brings so much fun and pure enjoyment while capturing memories that last forever.
The journey from an idea to a successful business is inspiring. What advice would you give to someone with a unique idea, looking to take their first steps toward entrepreneurship?
Don’t give up! My dad always tells me that anything worth having doesn’t come easy, and he’s not wrong. When I was younger, we used to watch Only Fools and Horses together, and one of the main characters’ sayings was “He who dares, wins,” and sometimes you’ve got to just go for it!
Photographing people having fun can be infectious. Do you have a personal favourite funny or candid moment that you’ve captured in Margot Camper?
There have been so many! The funniest moments to watch are when it’s getting towards the end of the night, and everyone’s had a few drinks; everything is 10x funnier when you’re drunk, and it’s brilliant to see. A couple of weeks ago, we were at Pennard Hill Farm at Glastonbury, and that was probably my favourite event of the year. It was an Elton John-themed party, so everyone was dressed brilliantly; the organizers of the event jumped in Margot, and all started singing Rocket Man, then everybody else came over to Margot and joined in, it was fab!
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
California without a doubt. I would love to do a road trip around the US; maybe Margot could relocate? Watch this space!
Where can people follow you and find out more?
You can find us on Instagram camper and over on our website. We would LOVE to hear from you! We have also recently launched our brand-new booth, the ICON, which is a beautifully handmade artisan booth that offers so much more than just photos; you can find out what it has to offer on the ICON section of our website!
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