The photo booth trend is here to stay. It’s an excellent way to capture lasting memories at your events, as well as a great marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. But how do you get started? Is it best to hire a photo booth professional? Is a DIY photo booth really worth it if you’re on a tight budget?
There are no simple yes or no answers to these questions. And that’s because there are so many factors to consider. Today, we’ll walk you through what you need to think about when considering taking on a photo booth DIY-style.
After all, when you’re only hosting an occasional private event like a birthday party or even a wedding, it may make sense to put together a DIY photo booth. It takes a little elbow grease, but if you’re not looking for a 100% professional look and feel, and genuinely want to capture memories and give your friends some photos they can easily share, a DIY photo booth can be a great option!
The same goes if you’re just starting as a photo booth business owner and do not have the capital to invest a bunch of money. Instead, by starting small with DIY photo booths, you can slowly build up your inventory as you have the funds to reinvest in your business.
With that in mind, you have some decisions to make. Here’s an overview of the factors you’ll need to consider.
How to Decide if a DIY Photo Booth is For You
Ultimately, a DIY photo booth can be the way to go if you have the time to put it all together. In fact, you can get started with a very low budget. Here’s a rundown of all the factors you’ll want to consider:
Booth Style
Do you want a traditional photo booth with a cabin and bench? Or do you want a more contemporary feeling set up where you use the existing space as your backdrop?
If you prefer to stay away from the bulky cabins, which are also more costly, then a DIY photo booth is probably the best option for you.
You can use an existing wall, or, if that’s not an option, then the party itself can make a great backdrop. Or you can create a DIY photo booth backdrop with materials that blend in with the rest of the event!
Check out our favorite birthday party backdrops here, and some of our top picks for wedding backdrops here!
Equipment
The only equipment that you really need is an iPad Pro and a stand. (See our equipment recommendations here.) If you don’t have an iPad Pro, you can use it for so many things, and can pick up a refurbished unit relatively inexpensively, or even borrow one from a friend!
You may want a few props, but realistically, you don’t need them if time and money are tight. New photo booth apps like Onebooth let you use digital stickers instead of props! Better yet, you can try Onebooth free to get the hang of it before your event!
Frequency
If you’re only planning to do an occasional booth for your private events and you don’t have the time to get set up, or don’t have access to the equipment you need, you may want to hire a professional.
However, if you’ve got most of the equipment and simply need an iPad stand and a prop or two, then a DIY photo booth is probably perfect for you.
Similarly, if you’re a budding entrepreneur just starting out, a DIY photo booth is a great place to start so you can slowly build up your equipment and offerings as you’re able to reinvest in your business.
Budget
Your budget is an essential consideration. Even though you can get started for less than a nice meal, if you go all out, you can quickly spend more on supplies than you would by simply hiring a professional. As a result, it’s important to set this ahead of time so that you can stick to it.
Still, if you love creative projects, putting together a DIY photo booth can be a lot of fun using the supplies you already have on hand.
Time
The last thing to consider is how much time you have to devote to the photo booth. In addition to the time you take building your DIY photo booth, will you have the time to show people how to use it at the event?
If your booth is simple or you use software like Onebooth, it will be easy for your attendees to use.
Putting it All Together
A DIY photo booth is an excellent option for anyone on a budget who doesn’t mind putting in a little time and effort. They are incredibly easy to move around and set up and require very little in terms of equipment and investment.
Have questions on how you can use Onebooth to level up your next party with a photo booth? Just ask!
Or, try it free here!