Pixelated, overexposed, paper jam, and nobody from the hire company is available. To prevent this from happening to you, here are the 10 most important things you should pay attention to when hiring a photobooth. Because you can avoid many things by choosing the right photobooth and a reliable provider right from the start.
Tip #1: Camera: The more megapixels, the better?
There's nothing wrong with this in principle, but it depends very much on what you want to use the photos for. The iPad photo boxes are perfectly adequate for social media posts, but if you want memories for life, a single-lens reflex camera is more appropriate. As a rule of thumb, we say: If the photos are mainly viewed on mobile phones, an iPad camera will suffice. A single-lens reflex camera makes sense if you want the photos to shine on larger screens or last forever. You can find out what else is important for a camera here here read.
Tip #2: Photo box with LED lighting or studio flash
On the one hand, there are photo boxes with pure LED lighting (classically an LED ring) and on the other hand, real studio flashes are used. The disadvantage of the LED ring is that it does not expose your photo, but lights it up permanently. Here you can find out more about the differences. We recommend using studio flashes especially when the lighting conditions are not ideal: in darker rooms or generally in the evening and at night.
If you want to take videos, GIFs and boomerangs as well as photos, you should make sure that your photo box has additional, permanently lit LED lights in addition to the studio flash. Otherwise, only your photos will be optimally exposed, but not the rest.
Godox LR-120B LED ring (Source: Godox)
Godox MS300 studio flash (Source: Godox)
Tip #3: Photos, videos, GIFs and Boomerangs - Please what?
Photos and videos should be clear, but what are GIFs and Boomerangs?
But would you like to be able to print your recordings? Of course you can't with videos, GIFs and Boomerangs. Videos, GIFs and Boomerangs are particularly popular with a younger audience.
Tip #4: How do I access the photos I have taken?
Modern photo boxes offer a variety of options for sharing snapshots with your loved ones. These include
- Dispatch via email
- Transferring via AirDrop to your mobile phone (How it works)
- Viewing via QR code
- Or the direct upload to social media
What do you need? An internet connection. Many photo boxes have a built-in SIM card. If these sharing options are important to you, you should therefore make sure you have an integrated SIM card.
You don't want any of this? Normally you will receive all your recordings via an online link or USB stick after your event.
Myfotobox.ch
Photo Booth All-In-One
- 24 megapixel SLR camera
- Studio flash with panoramic diffuser
- Photos, GIFs & Boomerangs
- Second screen for viewing photos
- 24/7 emergency number incl. TeamViewer support
- Printer 10 sec/photo (optional)
Tip #5: Old school, but still important: Print photos
The most important criterion here is the printing speed, because the quality is right with the vast majority of photo box printers anyway. And there are big differences: Smaller photo printers need approx. 1 minute per photo, whereas professional, large photo printers only need approx. 10 seconds. Another decisive factor is how many prints the printer can be loaded with: This ranges from 15 to 400 photos or even more. So if you are a larger company, the smaller, slower printers are not recommended.
Canon Selphy CP1300, 1 min/photo (Source: Canon)
DNP DS620, 10 sec/photo (Source: DNP)
Tip #6: Viewing snapshots on a second screen
To avoid long queues in front of your photobooth corner, you should use a second screen. Many photo booths have an option at the back or in a separate stand to view the photos separately from the camera. This has the advantage that photos can continue to be taken while other guests are looking at their photos. You usually select on the second monitor whether you want to print the photo or send it via email, AirDrop, etc.
Tip #7: Better safe than sorry
Like almost all technical devices, photo boxes sometimes go on strike. It is then important that your hire company offers explanatory material for such a case or perhaps even an emergency hotline. Some providers have already equipped their photobooths with a TeamViewer function (This allows external access to the photo box). Even if it doesn't have to come to an extreme emergency, a reputable photo box provider is also advantageous in other ways: they save you time with instructions or explanations and ensure that people only remember your party in a positive light.
Tip #8: What else you might need for the photo box
Whether you want a colourful Background, fun dressing-up items or festive barrier cords, it all depends on your taste, of course. There's just one thing to bear in mind here: If possible, you should aim your photo box at a wall, as photos in the room can be blurred or incorrectly exposed. However, not every wall is suitable for photo use. Make sure that your background wall is not (too strongly) reflective. On the one hand, the flash reflections look a little unattractive, on the other hand, this can lead to incorrectly exposed shots. You can't go wrong with the background walls from your photo box provider.
Backgrounds, panelling, barrier cords or printers (source: FotoboxZürich.ch)
Tip #9: Lightweight or colossus?
You think «that's obvious»? Not necessarily. Lightweight photo boxes are more convenient to transport and easier to set up. But what happens if a tipsy party guest bumps into your photo box? That can certainly happen. Then you'll be glad if the photobooth can withstand the weight of the guest. So think carefully about whether you don't want to take the strain of a somewhat more massive photo box.
Myfotobox.ch
Photo Booth All-In-One
- 24 megapixel SLR camera
- Studio flash with panoramic diffuser
- Photos, GIFs & Boomerangs
- Second screen for viewing photos
- 24/7 emergency number incl. TeamViewer support
- Printer 10 sec/photo (optional)
Tip #10: Not every photo box fits into your ambience
Last but not least, it also depends on your personal taste and the ambience of the event. Not everyone likes a retro box and a metal surface doesn't suit every setting. To integrate your photobooth even better into the surroundings, many photo boxes also have coloured LEDs. At Halloween, for example, red LEDs are very popular 😉
Photo box with ambient LEDs around the housing (Source: ATA Photo Booths)
Conclusion: What should I look out for when hiring a photo box?
- For memories for life, you should opt for an SLR camera, otherwise an iPad camera will do.
- In good lighting conditions an LED ring is sufficient, in darker rooms or in the evening we recommend a studio flash.
- Pay attention to the printing speed: Smaller printers may be too slow for your party.
- Something can always go wrong. Therefore, pay attention to the experience of your provider and the support options in an emergency.
Of course, your requirements have a direct influence on the price of the photo box. Read here, what costs you can expect.
