Would you like to create a photobooth to liven up an event? Are you looking for tips on how to make a backdrop to capture memory photos from your wedding or birthday party?
You’ve come to the right place.
As a florist specialized in events and wedding decor, I am a huge fan of photo booths! They are easy to set up and have a dual benefit: they offer a fun activity for your guests while also serving as a source of memorable photos for your event.
That’s why today I’m presenting you with this complete guide to photo booths, also known as “photo cabins” and “photo machines.”
To create a photo booth for a wedding, birthday party, or baptism, you first need to gather the necessary equipment for the photos. This includes a camera with a tripod (or a stand) and a remote trigger or timer. After selecting a suitable location that will allow for great photos, set up the camera and the backdrop. The backdrop should relate to your theme; for example, it could be a romantic floral setup for a wedding, featuring flower walls, everlasting roses, or bouquets. Don’t forget to provide your guests with a chalkboard so they can personalize their photos, and create a welcoming space, perhaps with music, to help them relax in front of the camera!
Would you like more details? Keep reading to find out:
- What exactly is a photobooth and where did this tradition come from,
- Essential photo equipment you need to set up your photobooth,
- Requirements for creating an ideal location,
- Ideas for unique and trendy decorations for your photobooth,
- My professional tips for making this space appealing and fun!
What is a Photobooth?
It’s very likely that if you bring up the idea of a “photobooth” for your wedding to your guests, many of them won’t really know what you’re talking about. In fact, it’s a recent trend in the event planning world.
The term “Photobooth” means “photo booth” and the tradition associated with it comes straight from the USA. Read on to learn more about it in this paragraph, so you can decide if this idea suits you!
The Principle: Create Wonderful Memories!
The photobooth is a dedicated space at your venue: it’s available for your guests and allows them to take keepsake photos on their own. This is an activity that typically remains set up for the entire duration of the event.
This photo booth is a place where you and your guests can take group photos together. Everyone can strike a pose however they like and set the scene with fun props (costumes, confetti, etc.).
Some photo booths are instant and allow you to print the photo directly so it can be displayed on a wall in the designated area for this activity, while others store the photo and let you display it on a screen, for instance, in a slideshow. It can then be sent to your guests as a keepsake after the event.
What Occasion Calls for a Photobooth?
The photo booth is an easy-to-set-up activity that is suitable for any type of festive event. It is particularly well-suited for:
- A wedding,
- A civil partnership,
- A birthday party,
- A going-away party,
- A baptism…
Should You Rent or Create Your Own Photo Booth?
You can easily find a service provider online or nearby that rents out the necessary equipment to set up your photo booth. However, this comes at a cost. If you have some time on your hands or people willing to help, it’s definitely possible to set up your own photo booth: that’s what this article will cover next!
What Photography Equipment Do You Need for Your Photo Booth?
The first thing to consider when setting up your photo booth is the photography equipment you’ll need. A simple and intuitive setup for your guests is the key to a successful event! You have two options: use a instant camera (like a Polaroid or Instax) or a traditional camera.
With an instant camera, print photos on the spot!
This solution is very simple and will immediately get your guests excited, as they will be able to see their photos print out very quickly. Make sure to have a camera with a timer function and a stand or tripod so you can set it up.
👉 The paper refills for this type of device can be quite expensive. You can offset this cost by using a Bluetooth photo printer instead, which works with a standard device or even a camera.
📍 Provide your guests with a board or a string with decorative pins to display their photographs. As the evening progresses, your photobooth decor will transform!
With a traditional camera, to display photos on a screen!
You can also set up a photo booth without printing the photos directly. To do this, set up a camera with a timer on a tripod or stand. You’ll also need to arrange for a large enough screen to display the photos and a computer. Assign someone the task of transferring the images from the camera to the screen using the computer regularly throughout the event. Many wedding photographers offer this option as part of their package!
Photos can also be taken with a smartphone and streamed directly to the screen using a Google Chromecast or an Amazon Fire TV Stick: this cost-effective solution is usually simpler and poses no risks to your computer!
The Handy Tip: Use a Remote Trigger!
Whether it’s a remote button purchased from your device’s supplier or a simple function on the app that comes with your equipment, a remote trigger can be very useful for a photo booth. It eliminates the need to set a timer each time and makes the experience more spontaneous for your guests. 😉
Where to Place the Photo Booth?
The location of the photo booth is essential: it should, of course, be protected from the elements, preferably indoors. The equipment used is delicate, so avoid placing it in high-traffic areas. I recommend positioning your setup against a backdrop or in a corner of the room to prevent it from being accidentally knocked over.
Lighting is also important: avoid placing the setup in front of a window to prevent backlighting. If necessary, you can add a light pointing towards it to brighten it up. Feel free to experiment and ask for advice from the event photographer if there is one.
3 Unique Decor Ideas for a Successful Photo Booth
Once you have gathered all the materials and chosen the location, it’s time to move on to the most enjoyable part: setting up the decor for your photobooth. This requires special attention, as it will serve as the backdrop for many of the cherished photos from your event!
A Romantic Setting with a Flower Wall and/or Everlasting Roses
Photo booths have become almost essential at wedding celebrations, but you can also find them at other events celebrating love, such as a civil union celebration, a wedding anniversary, or a vow renewal ceremony. Whatever the occasion, if it has a romantic theme, you can take advantage of it to offer your guests a decor that matches this theme.
It can be done with fresh flowers, but that can be expensive and fragile: that’s why I recommend creating a floral display using a flower wall. These trendy floral panels are easy to assemble and secure, and they can be reused. Check them out directly in our online store! They come in a variety of colors, so your photobooth decoration can match the theme of your celebration perfectly. 😉
🌹 To enhance your decor and add volume and depth, you can also include everlasting roses under glass domes! A romantic touch guaranteed!
A Bohemian-Country Decor with Bohemian Cushions and Rugs
The boho-chic style has become incredibly popular in event planning in recent years. If you’ve also fallen for this beautiful theme, don’t hesitate to create a photobooth decor that reflects this vibe, including:
- string lights reminiscent of a fairground,
- bean bags and chairs,
- plants,
- candles,
- rugs and bohemian fabrics.
👉 Looking for affordable bohemian decor? Check out the rugs and bohemian cushions offered by our partner Vie de Bohème!
A Green Décor with Plants
Another trending idea is to use indoor plants to create a jungle decor that will transport your guests to a different world. You can also add some artificial flowers or flowering plants to introduce vibrant colors into the overall arrangement.
How to Encourage Your Guests to Let Loose in Front of the Camera?
The main purpose of a photobooth is to provide a fun activity for your guests, allowing them to enjoy themselves and relax. However, not everyone is always comfortable taking photos. In the following lines, I will share some tips to encourage your guests to enjoy the photobooth!
By Providing Them with Accessories
There’s nothing like dressing up a little to take fun photos! Feel free to provide your guests with some simple props in a basket next to your booth, and don’t forget to place a sign that says “Help yourself 😉”!
For example, you can suggest to them:
- Confetti,
- Some props on a stick to hold in front of you: glasses, hats, mustaches…
- Some flower crowns,
- Some frames,
- Fun headbands with animal ears, etc.,
- A bit of party makeup for kids, along with some remover for afterwards…
By allowing them to write a message on their photo
Nothing personalizes your photo quite like adding a message! To make this happen, provide your guests with a dry-erase board and markers. They can write any message they like on the board and hold it up in front of them when posing for the camera.
👉 For an even more stylish and trendy look, don’t hesitate to invest in a light-up letter board. It will be very readable in your photos!
By allowing access to the photo booth late into the evening
As an event professional, I’ve noticed that at the beginning of an event, guests tend to be more reserved. They often take their time catching up with people they haven’t seen in a while and getting familiar with the venue.
Apart from the children eagerly waiting to participate, the photo booth is usually an activity that takes some time to set up. To make the most of it, I recommend that you keep it running throughout the entire event, so that everyone can access it whenever they feel like it.
👉 If someone is in charge of hosting the evening, be sure to tell them to encourage guests to use the photobooth with challenges and games…
Now you’re all set to create your photobooth to bring a fun and unique vibe to your event while capturing plenty of memories! Feel free to check out our blog for more practical guides on how to prepare and decorate for a wedding, birthday party, baptism, and more…