Photobooth props

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
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Dec 9, 2009
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Saturday, we had a photobooth (no DJ) at a local venue. I let my son run it, so he could make some cash. He said everything went smoothly, but the venue owner (who had been drinking) asked him, "Where are the Christmas props?" I have to admit, I have not bought Christmas-related props and have never been asked that question before. Just wanted to ask, those of you who run photobooths, do you supply Christmas props? Kinda surprised me a bit.
 
I can see his point.
Do you have birthday props for birthday parties?
Wedding props for weddings?

Was it a Christmas party?
 
I guess it surprised me because this is the first time I've ever heard that kind of comment, and after several years of doing photobooths. My son handled it very well and the venue owner told him, "I guess we'll have to put that on the list for next year." Since I gave her the booth for $500 (normally $750), I don't feel terribly bad about it. I guess it does make sense to have difference kinds of props available though.
 
Gonna make a general statement here...not directed at you Rick...

But this brings up a thought about what clients say vs what they actually want.... There are the type of people in the world who quietly make judgements and another type of person who just blurts it out... the 2nd being the rarer....but the most important...

Many times i have heard dj's on here saying..."fast mixing? dmx lighting? dancing on the cloud? etc etc etc MY CLIENTELE DONT WANT THAT!" (i am guilty of the latter)

And yet... most of us who make that blanket statement honestly are basing it on the quiet people who make judgements and dont say a word... like if you are doing school dances... and they are dancing...you think youve accomplished your job.... and they they want nothing more or nothing less... but i bet they dont remember you.... they just danced because theres nothing else to do...while they killed time before the cool kids after party...

Maybe fast mixing could have taken them to a whole new energy level...a level that made that school party the coolest thing of the evening... maybe the fancy dmx lightshow made them feel like adults in a nightclub rather than at a sleepover where one kid bought a light from Spencers gift that puts pink and blue dots around the room.

The point is... those kids arent going to come up and tell you to do those things...they only understand their personal experience... its up to you to make it a GREAT or mediocre experience..

A bride wont tell you she wants an awesome light show or fast mixing if shes never experiences it done well... So just give it to her... you might be surprised how she will react when her reception has crazy energy and people are cheering

So back to the christmas props... i dont run photobooths... but that seems like a no brainer.... an obvious choice to set your photobooth apart from the companies who just get by on the least effort...

Sure a discount is a nice perk... but if you plan to give them "less" quality service in exchange for the discount...then is it really a discount? sounds like they paid for what they got....

You do yourself a disservice everytime you give a less quality service as a penalty for a discount...because we are not just there to impress our client... we are there to entice the other 200 guests that our service is right for them.... they are the cash crop...

cc
 
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djcrazychris said:
Gonna make a general statement here...not directed at you Rick...

But this brings up a thought about what clients say vs what they actually want.... There are the type of people in the world who quietly make judgements and another type of person who just blurts it out... the 2nd being the rarer....but the most important...

Many times i have heard dj's on hear saying..."fast mixing? dmx lighting? dancing on the cloud? etc etc etc MY CLIENTELE DONT WANT THAT!" (i am guilty of the latter)

And yet... most of us who make that blanket statement honestly are basing it on the quiet people who make judgements and dont say a word... like if you are doing school dances... and they are dancing...you think youve accomplished your job.... and they they want nothing more or nothing less... but i bet they dont remember you.... they just danced because theres nothing else to do...while they killed time before the cool kids after party...

Maybe fast mixing could have taken them to a whole new energy level...a level that made that school party the coolest thing of the evening... maybe the fancy dmx lightshow made them feel like adults in a nightclub rather than at a sleepover where one kid bought a light from Spencers gift that puts pink and blue dots around the room.

The point is... those kids arent going to come up and tell you to do those things...they only understand their personal experience... its up to you to make it a GREAT or mediocre experience..

A bride wont tell you she wants an awesome light show or fast mixing if shes never experiences it done well... So just give it to her... you might be surprised how she will react when her reception has crazy energy and people are cheering

So back to the christmas props... i dont run photobooths... but that seems like a no brainer.... an obvious choice to set your photobooth apart from the companies who just get buy on the least effort...

Sure a discount is a nice perk... but if you plan to give them "less" quality service in exchange for the discount...then is it really a discount? sounds like they paid for what they got....

You do yourself a disservice everytime you give a less quality service as a penalty for a discount...because we are not just there to impress our client... we are there to entice the other 200 guests that our service is right for them.... they are the cash crop...

cc
Click to expand...
I kinda wanted to say this... but figured coming from me it would be redundent. Rarely do people tell us anything negative or say we should be doing this or that... they'll just call someone else when it's time to hire someone.
 
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djcrazychris said:
Gonna make a general statement here...not directed at you Rick...

But this brings up a thought about what clients say vs what they actually want.... There are the type of people in the world who quietly make judgements and another type of person who just blurts it out... the 2nd being the rarer....but the most important...

Many times i have heard dj's on hear saying..."fast mixing? dmx lighting? dancing on the cloud? etc etc etc MY CLIENTELE DONT WANT THAT!" (i am guilty of the latter)

And yet... most of us who make that blanket statement honestly are basing it on the quiet people who make judgements and dont say a word... like if you are doing school dances... and they are dancing...you think youve accomplished your job.... and they they want nothing more or nothing less... but i bet they dont remember you.... they just danced because theres nothing else to do...while they killed time before the cool kids after party...

Maybe fast mixing could have taken them to a whole new energy level...a level that made that school party the coolest thing of the evening... maybe the fancy dmx lightshow made them feel like adults in a nightclub rather than at a sleepover where one kid bought a light from Spencers gift that puts pink and blue dots around the room.

The point is... those kids arent going to come up and tell you to do those things...they only understand their personal experience... its up to you to make it a GREAT or mediocre experience..

A bride wont tell you she wants an awesome light show or fast mixing if shes never experiences it done well... So just give it to her... you might be surprised how she will react when her reception has crazy energy and people are cheering

So back to the christmas props... i dont run photobooths... but that seems like a no brainer.... an obvious choice to set your photobooth apart from the companies who just get buy on the least effort...

Sure a discount is a nice perk... but if you plan to give them "less" quality service in exchange for the discount...then is it really a discount? sounds like they paid for what they got....

You do yourself a disservice everytime you give a less quality service as a penalty for a discount...because we are not just there to impress our client... we are there to entice the other 200 guests that our service is right for them.... they are the cash crop...

cc
Click to expand...

Not quite sure where you're getting "less quality" from. As I said, I've been doing PB for a number of years and this is the very first time a client has said anything about Christmas props. As usual, I listen to the feedback I get and will react accordingly. As for your other statement about feedback, I'd tend to agree with you. Many of us aren't sensitive towards subtle cues but others are. I try (like most here) very hard to keep an open ear and try and find out what my clients are wanting, then deliver on it. Now does that mean that I'm going to knee-jerk and jump at each and every comment? No, but I'll listen, then weigh the cost versus benefits. Anything that proves a benefit to the biz is where I want to be.
 
djtaso said:
I kinda wanted to say this... but figured coming from me it would be redundent. Rarely do people tell us anything negative or say we should be doing this or that... they'll just call someone else when it's time to hire someone.
Click to expand...

yeah...i say it because im guilty of it at times...

I have had clients who were more vocal than others about their specific needs...and the easy way to view them is..."OH...THEY ARE A PITA"... the way i view them is... FINALLY... someone to teach me exactly what they want... ive learned things i would have never began to imagine on my own by listening to a picky client.

It makes me second guess any past event where it felt like i just "got by"

cc
 
its funny when we put details in our stories that incriminate us and are surprised when its pointed out to us...

best policy for posting on here might be to leave out the details...or speak in riddles like Rocky...lol

cc
 
The difference between truly professional and merely compensated is often found in the details.

Good enough typically ignores details.

An now in other news:
 
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I've had my photo booths out the past two weekends and four more rentals this coming weekend. All have been for holiday parties, so it seems a natural to include Christmas/seasonal props.

I have several different Santa hat type looks and other head band red and white styled holiday looks.

Plus I have this set of signs:

www.propshoppros.com

Christmas Signs | Traditional Part #1 | Photo Booth Props

You'll love our christmas photo booth props. Shop your favorite PVC vinyl prop signs at Prop Shop Pros to raise the bar at your next photo booth event.
www.propshoppros.com www.propshoppros.com
 
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