Have any of you guys added a photo booth to your services? If so, how has it been working out for you? I'm looking into giving it a try and would like any advice and feed back from anyone who actually owns and operates one.
Photo Booth
- Thread starter PearlWhiteGT
- Start date
I have operated a photobooth as part of the DJ business since 2014. Great for extra revenue. I probably bring in about 15-20k extra in gross revenue through it. It does require additional labor though, and knowledge of photoshop and such. I do not operate it separate from my DJ events though.
Not sure what other feedback you’re seeking.
Thanks for responding. I'm trying to determine what type of booth would be best for my first one. From what I have seen online is that they have a few different types and not sure what is the most requested type that people ask for. I like the idea of a booth like the Salsa one from photobooth international since it looks pretty easy to set up and operate. What type of booth do you have? Not sure what is best for my first one between one that uses a DSLR camera or one of the iPad booths.
I actually have both. Salsa is way easier, cheaper to buy for the business and for clients to Add on, simple to set up and more versatile with features... however it’s an iPad camera so photo quality is a bit low, especially in low light. I just bought supplemental lights to improve the quality of the photos. Another con is you can’t print out of the box (you technically can with certain modifications, but the photo quality is still low). I charge $450 for this option and am getting it added at some sweet 16’s and weddings that don’t wanna spend more. You can also get away with no attendant as it’s very easy to use as a stand alone machine. We don’t use props for this.
A Dslr booth can get more in terms of pricing, I charge $850... but lacks in certain features. It’s much more involved with needing knowledge of printers, replacing paper, setting up twilio to text images, camera settings, and more. You also will need an attendant with a great personality and able to handle issues... as they will come up. Of course the biggest benefit is the quality of the photos and the ability to print them.
the only issue I’ve found with photo booths is that the technology is constantly changing andunless you invest in every photobooth type (salsa, dslr, mirror booths, glamour booths), you’ll never be able to satisfy every client seeking one. As I’ve said, I’ve made a good amount of additional income from it. Has it been a headache at times... yes... especially with clients that want more customization than normal, whether with Wanting certain props, certain backdrops, or print templates. You have to ask is the investment to please these one off custom requests worth it or lose theservice to a full blown photobooth company with much more personalization capabilities.
Personally I’m focusing more on the salsa booth now due to clients wanting way more than what my older dslr booth is capable of (glamour shots or mirror booth look).
Taso turned me onto SocialBooth, several years back and it has been a fantastic upgrade over Breeze Systems. I have this running on a 20" touchscreen computer with DNP RX1 printer. For camera, I'm using a hi-res webcam (HP) with a ring light for lighting. Quality is good and the system just works. I don't even hire a technician and the only problem I ever see if running out of paper.
I started with a DSLR and mitsubishi printer and an 'open' booth added to wedding packages.
I then moved to a more self-sufficient enclosed booth and it's a rod and curtain affair, PITA to setup but works well otherwise.
I use breeze systems DLSR setup and and considering their webcam setup and a mini PC (have a cheap tower now). Looking to get it all in one box for easier setup. As it is it takes 45 min of setup and a trained worker.
I have very little to no issues with the mitsu printer. its a dye sub that cost $1k when I got it years ago, dead reliable, nice quaility, can do multiple sizes (not at the same time). HEAVY as all hell though, and not small (14" cube basically, 40 lbs)
Touchscreen were rare when I set this up, not sure if I want to go that route or stay with a button.
Props suck they get abused, lost/stolen?, degrade so this is an ongoing cost. And an attendant helps to keep them in order.
WiFi is not common here and cell service cna be sketchy, so I've not tried any of the socially enabled booths.
I got the breeze webcam as a trial and have a decent webcam, gonna do some tests "in the dark" with the led lights from my current booth, should work find. Then I'll add the mini pc...consider a touch screen.
You CAN buy templates, but I do them in PShop as I'm fluent in it.
I've never pushed it hard or as a stand alone item - you gotta have an attendant and it takes up space in a car/suv. Now that I have a full size van it's so much more convenient to take it, so that's why I'm thinking of upgrading it. Used it 2 out of the last 3 weekends.
I'll usually re-market to my already booked weddings at some point offering uplighting and pbooth at a discount for an upsell. Months after they've booked they're not as cash strapped as during the initial deposit/sticker shock.
My booth is a copy of what a guy runs in kansas city (he has 4)
I then moved to a more self-sufficient enclosed booth and it's a rod and curtain affair, PITA to setup but works well otherwise.
I use breeze systems DLSR setup and and considering their webcam setup and a mini PC (have a cheap tower now). Looking to get it all in one box for easier setup. As it is it takes 45 min of setup and a trained worker.
I have very little to no issues with the mitsu printer. its a dye sub that cost $1k when I got it years ago, dead reliable, nice quaility, can do multiple sizes (not at the same time). HEAVY as all hell though, and not small (14" cube basically, 40 lbs)
Touchscreen were rare when I set this up, not sure if I want to go that route or stay with a button.
Props suck they get abused, lost/stolen?, degrade so this is an ongoing cost. And an attendant helps to keep them in order.
WiFi is not common here and cell service cna be sketchy, so I've not tried any of the socially enabled booths.
I got the breeze webcam as a trial and have a decent webcam, gonna do some tests "in the dark" with the led lights from my current booth, should work find. Then I'll add the mini pc...consider a touch screen.
You CAN buy templates, but I do them in PShop as I'm fluent in it.
I've never pushed it hard or as a stand alone item - you gotta have an attendant and it takes up space in a car/suv. Now that I have a full size van it's so much more convenient to take it, so that's why I'm thinking of upgrading it. Used it 2 out of the last 3 weekends.
I'll usually re-market to my already booked weddings at some point offering uplighting and pbooth at a discount for an upsell. Months after they've booked they're not as cash strapped as during the initial deposit/sticker shock.
My booth is a copy of what a guy runs in kansas city (he has 4)
3 Photobooths here... although like Taso, they only go out to the events that I'm also DJing at. I have a full-size Atlanta Booth with DSLR camera, a Fotomaster Beauty Mirror, and an ATA Ring Roamer with the adjustable stand. The mirror uses a DSLR, the Ring Roamer uses an iPad.
The Ring Roamer (using the Lumabooth app) is the easiest to use, hands down. It does use an iPad Pro's front camera, but the image quality is quite good with some extra lighting added.
My Atlanta booth has the best image quality, thanks to its DSLR camera and wraparound curtain backdrop. No matter where we take it, the pictures are perfect with no camera tweaks required.
My Fotomaster Beauty Mirror is bulky, cumbersome, and my least favorite booth to take out. It requires ridiculous amounts of tweaking to get right and despite the "wow" factor, people don't want to pay the higher amount that I charge for it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's considering buying a booth.
The Ring Roamer (using the Lumabooth app) is the easiest to use, hands down. It does use an iPad Pro's front camera, but the image quality is quite good with some extra lighting added.
My Atlanta booth has the best image quality, thanks to its DSLR camera and wraparound curtain backdrop. No matter where we take it, the pictures are perfect with no camera tweaks required.
My Fotomaster Beauty Mirror is bulky, cumbersome, and my least favorite booth to take out. It requires ridiculous amounts of tweaking to get right and despite the "wow" factor, people don't want to pay the higher amount that I charge for it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's considering buying a booth.
Anything offered by Atlanta Photobooth is technologically advanced. I owned one of his first production models for several years and then purchased a slimmed down version using the same software and a higher res DSLR. It has served me well.
I am done with it after my next booking, as I am beginning my descent into "former DJ world".
I am done with it after my next booking, as I am beginning my descent into "former DJ world".
Thanks for the replies. I started thinking about it recently after trying to find one to rent for our daughters Sweet 16 party. I went onto google and searched for photo booths in my area. Found a few companies and reached out to all of them but only had two respond back. The others appeared to be shut down and I'm guessing it was due to covid. I ended up booking with one of the two companies that responded back and while meeting with him to sign the contract I asked how business was going and he said great. He's been non stop busy since everything reopened. Said he's having several events every week, he owns multiple photo booths. And that's when the thinking started.
I don't DJ, I messed round with it just at home and still have equipment for my backyard BBQ's and get togethers. But I have a good friend who DJ's and been doing it for a long time. He has a lot of other friends who DJ and they all work together to help each other out. Since he's been in the industry for a good while I asked him what's his thoughts on starting a photo booth business in our area and he said there is not enough of them and he knows a lot of people to help spread the word and honestly feels like it would spread like wild fire once up and running.
I like the idea of it and I'm off every single weekend from work so this would just be a little side gig that I could do with my wife and daughter. I like the Salsa booth and also something like the T12 LED from RBA which are both different types of booths. Do must clients still want the photo prints? Where do you guys like to purchase your back drops and stand from? What are the main colors of back drops to purchase first when starting out? Any more advice would be very much appreciated.
I don't DJ, I messed round with it just at home and still have equipment for my backyard BBQ's and get togethers. But I have a good friend who DJ's and been doing it for a long time. He has a lot of other friends who DJ and they all work together to help each other out. Since he's been in the industry for a good while I asked him what's his thoughts on starting a photo booth business in our area and he said there is not enough of them and he knows a lot of people to help spread the word and honestly feels like it would spread like wild fire once up and running.
I like the idea of it and I'm off every single weekend from work so this would just be a little side gig that I could do with my wife and daughter. I like the Salsa booth and also something like the T12 LED from RBA which are both different types of booths. Do must clients still want the photo prints? Where do you guys like to purchase your back drops and stand from? What are the main colors of back drops to purchase first when starting out? Any more advice would be very much appreciated.
Ditch Breeze. Trust me, SocialBooth is light years better. Taso sure did me a solid when he turned me onto it. I no longer need a booth attendent. Just load a fresh roll of paper at the start of the night and SB just does it's thing. It was a BIG improvement.
FWIW, you guys who are doing DSLR setups..........unless you're doing a light ring or similar always on lighting, your DSLR ain't buying you squat. You get most cameras into a low light situation and they just choke. If you're going to do a nice camera setup then at the very least put an always on lighting in the mix so it can grab good focus.
I have no intentions of doing a Photo Booth or getting into them. I knew I was too late to the game if I wanted to try years ago lol BUT...
I have seen some cheaper photo booth vendors years ago come in, and set up a Back Drop (not professional looking one), had a tripod set up with a camera on it (nothing special) maybe a $200 Digital Camera, and had a tub full of props and hats to wear and use. I don't even think there was any prints being taken. I think all of the photos were likely put on a USB, memory card, or perhaps uploaded to a website for guests to go to view their photos at a later time. I felt like it wasn't a photo booth per say even though the planner/client was calling it a photo booth. I felt like it was more of a really cheap DIY option for a low priced vendor to try to get into the field claiming it's a photo booth service.
Maybe this classified as "Open Air" photo booth?
I have also seen this evolve to basically the same thing, but having a IPAD with the Light Ring Around it...this looks more high tech, and I guess the backdrops were better when I saw this, but feels essentially like the same type of deal.
So there are "Bad DJ Set Ups" that we often make fun of, or look at and obviously tell DJs NOT to bring and set up your equipment in such a poor manor.
Are there "Bad Photo Booth Set Ups" ? If there are, I have probably seen a couple of them a number of years ago...like they were obviously not professional booths, and I feel the vendor they brought in was new, and doing the service on the cheap.
I have seen some cheaper photo booth vendors years ago come in, and set up a Back Drop (not professional looking one), had a tripod set up with a camera on it (nothing special) maybe a $200 Digital Camera, and had a tub full of props and hats to wear and use. I don't even think there was any prints being taken. I think all of the photos were likely put on a USB, memory card, or perhaps uploaded to a website for guests to go to view their photos at a later time. I felt like it wasn't a photo booth per say even though the planner/client was calling it a photo booth. I felt like it was more of a really cheap DIY option for a low priced vendor to try to get into the field claiming it's a photo booth service.
Maybe this classified as "Open Air" photo booth?
I have also seen this evolve to basically the same thing, but having a IPAD with the Light Ring Around it...this looks more high tech, and I guess the backdrops were better when I saw this, but feels essentially like the same type of deal.
So there are "Bad DJ Set Ups" that we often make fun of, or look at and obviously tell DJs NOT to bring and set up your equipment in such a poor manor.
Are there "Bad Photo Booth Set Ups" ? If there are, I have probably seen a couple of them a number of years ago...like they were obviously not professional booths, and I feel the vendor they brought in was new, and doing the service on the cheap.
Taso, do you feel that the monthly subscription of Salsa is worth the cost? That's the only thing that I don't really like but kind of seems like the simplicity of using the Salsa booth with their software makes the most sense.
My goal is to have something that is sleek and eye appealing that gives the client everything they want. I want a professional looking setup for sure, do not want to go out there with a half a$$ set up while charging the same price as other booth companies. I'd like to try achieve this at the lowest price possible but I don't have any issues spending the extra money needed to do this right.
My goal is to have something that is sleek and eye appealing that gives the client everything they want. I want a professional looking setup for sure, do not want to go out there with a half a$$ set up while charging the same price as other booth companies. I'd like to try achieve this at the lowest price possible but I don't have any issues spending the extra money needed to do this right.
Wait...did y'all let this pass by without any comment? Cap, what's next for you?
I don’t use it that much, so honestly I just pay for the month I need it and cancel right after. FYI the salsa app can be used on any iPad.. it doesn’t have to be the salsa booth from photobooth supply. I got a helio booth from ata at half the price.
I also don’t use an attendant with the salsa style booth. So I’d rather pay $50 for the month, than $200 per event for an attendant on the regular booth
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I was wondering if that could be done as far as just paying the month it's being used. If you cancel does it save your stuff or do you basically have to start all over with your settings, templates or anything you create in the app? I was looking at some booths from ATA, thanks for the tip.
It saves your albums... but the public can’t access them. I tell people they’ll be available for one week after the event for them to view and download
Photobooth seems to not be as popular as it once was. I never invested into all the Photobooth equipment but I offer it by subcontracting it. I probably don't make as much doing it that way, but the lack of hassle, purchasing supplies, etc is worth it IMO.
Yes it DEFINITELY has started to lose its appeal. A lot of my clients want to get away from the distractions I’m noticing. Everyone takes pics w their phones. Why do you need a machine to do it
Thanks fellas, I still plan on doing some more research to determine if I want to give it a shot. Down here it seems like people still like to have them for their events. Now they have that 360 video booth that I see companies advertising in other areas. However I know nothing about it.