HOW TO START A
PHOTO BOOTH
BUSINESS.
You don't need a warehouse full of equipment, a complicated camera system or a giant business plan. You need a booth, a simple setup and somebody willing to hire you.
DON'T MAKE THIS
HARDER THAN
IT NEEDS TO BE.
Starting a photo booth business can look complicated when you're standing on the outside looking in.
You see booths with printers, backdrops, fancy props, multiple cameras and boxes full of equipment and think you need all of that before you can begin.
You don't.
You can start with a good iPad photo booth, an iPad, photo booth software and a simple plan for getting booked.
Start with enough to do the job well. Add the rest later.
HERE'S THE
WHOLE PLAN.
Don't worry. We're going through every one of these.
Pick the core equipment.
Your camera, computer and touchscreen.
This runs the guest experience.
Name, registration, insurance and banking.
Keep your first packages simple.
Charge enough to build a real business.
Put the expectations in writing.
Give people somewhere to see and hire you.
Now we actually need bookings.
Show up prepared and make it easy.
Let bookings pay for the upgrades.
CHOOSE YOUR
PHOTO BOOTH.
Your booth is the foundation of the whole business.
For somebody starting out, I like an iPad booth because it keeps the setup simple. The iPad handles the camera, screen and computer, while the physical booth gives you the professional structure and lighting guests actually see.
Look for something that is easy to transport, sturdy enough for events and professional enough that you feel good putting it in the middle of a wedding or corporate event.
- Professional appearance
- Good built-in lighting
- Easy transport and setup
- Compatible with a modern iPad
- Ability to add your own branding
GET YOUR
iPAD.
This is one of the reasons an iPad photo booth is such an easy way to get into the business.
The iPad is doing several jobs at once.
- It takes the photos
- It gives guests a touchscreen interface
- It runs the photo booth software
- It creates GIFs and boomerangs
- It can help deliver images digitally
You don't necessarily need the newest or most expensive iPad. You need one that works with your booth and the software you plan to use.
CHOOSE YOUR
PHOTO BOOTH
SOFTWARE.
The physical booth holds everything together. The software is what turns the iPad into an actual photo booth.
This is what guests interact with when they walk up to the booth.
- Photo capture
- Countdown screens
- GIFs
- Boomerangs
- Custom overlays
- Digital sharing
- Event galleries
Don't get paralyzed comparing every feature. Pick software that supports the experience you want to sell and learn it really well.
BUILD A
REALISTIC BUDGET.
The booth, iPad and software are the core. Everything else depends on how lean or elaborate you want your first setup to be.
That's a reasonable ballpark for a simple professional iPad photo booth business setup. You can spend less if you already own some equipment — and you can spend a whole lot more if you decide to buy everything on day one.
HANDLE THE
BUSINESS BASICS.
This part isn't exciting, but it matters.
The exact requirements depend on where you live, so check the rules for your city, county and state.
- Choose a business name
- Register the business if required
- Open a separate business bank account
- Look into liability insurance
- Understand local tax requirements
- Keep track of business income and expenses
You don't need a giant corporate structure. You do want a clean separation between your business and your personal life.
CREATE SIMPLE
PHOTO BOOTH PACKAGES.
Don't give people seventeen different choices.
Start with a couple of simple packages that are easy for you to explain and easy for customers to understand.
DIGITAL BOOTH
Photos, GIFs or boomerangs with digital sharing.
LONGER EVENT
Same basic setup with additional event time.
UPGRADES
Backdrops, printing or other add-ons when you are ready.
The goal is not to offer everything.
The goal is to make it easy for somebody to hire you.
SET YOUR
PRICES.
One of the easiest mistakes when starting is pricing so low that you're basically paying yourself minimum wage to haul equipment around on Saturday night.
Remember that an event includes more than the hours the booth is open.
- Client communication
- Design work
- Loading equipment
- Driving to the event
- Setup
- Event time
- Breakdown
- Driving home
- Follow-up
Look at what similar companies in your market charge, then build pricing that makes sense for your costs and the service you're offering.
USE A
PHOTO BOOTH CONTRACT.
Once somebody gives you money to show up at their event, you want everybody to understand exactly what was agreed to.
A photo booth contract can address things like:
- Event date and times
- Payment terms
- Cancellation
- Setup requirements
- Venue access
- Outdoor events and weather
- Equipment problems
- Client responsibilities
BUILD A SIMPLE
WEBSITE.
You do not need a 40-page website before you book your first event.
You need enough information that somebody can figure out what you do, see what your booth looks like and contact you.
- Your business name
- Photos of the booth
- What kinds of events you serve
- Your basic packages
- Your service area
- A clear contact or booking button
You can improve the website as your business grows.
GET YOUR
FIRST BOOKINGS.
This is where the business actually becomes a business.
You don't need thousands of followers. You need a few people in your area who are planning events and need a photo booth.
- Post your booth on social media
- Tell friends and family what you're doing
- Connect with wedding and event vendors
- Reach out to venues
- Join local wedding and event groups
- Show real photos and videos from events
- Ask happy customers for reviews
RUN YOUR
FIRST EVENT.
Your first event will probably feel like you're packing for a three-week expedition.
That's normal.
Test everything before you leave home. Arrive early. Give yourself more setup time than you think you need.
Your job is to make the booth feel effortless to the client even if you're doing a hundred little things behind the scenes.
CHARGE EVERYTHING
iPad, remotes, lights and anything else running on a battery.
TEST THE SOFTWARE
Run through the complete guest experience before leaving home.
CHECK THE EVENT DESIGN
Make sure the correct overlay and event information are loaded.
PACK CABLES + EXTRAS
The one cable you forget will somehow be the one cable you desperately need.
ARRIVE EARLY
Give yourself room to solve problems without the client ever knowing there was one.
LET THE BUSINESS
PAY FOR THE
NEXT LEVEL.
Once bookings start coming in, you'll have a much better idea of what equipment you actually need.
Maybe customers keep asking for prints.
Add a printer.
Maybe people want backdrop options.
Buy a couple of good ones.
Maybe you're turning down bookings because you're already booked.
Now it might be time for booth number two.
Let demand tell you what to buy next.
I'D START
SIMPLE.
That's why I like this type of MWE iPad booth as a starting point. The booth, lighting, travel case and structure are already handled. Add your iPad and software and you've got the core of the business.
STARTING A PHOTO BOOTH
BUSINESS FAQ.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO START A PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS?
A basic professional iPad photo booth setup can often be built in roughly the $1,500 to $3,500 range, depending on the booth, iPad and equipment you already own. Printing, backdrops and other upgrades can increase the startup cost.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO START A PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS?
At the simplest level, you need a physical photo booth, a compatible iPad and photo booth software. Additional items such as printers, backdrops and props can be added later.
CAN I START A PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS WITH AN iPAD?
Yes. An iPad can act as the camera, computer and touchscreen for a digital photo booth when paired with a physical booth and compatible photo booth software.
DO I NEED A PRINTER?
No. You can begin with a digital-only booth and allow guests to receive their photos electronically. Printing can be added later.
DO I NEED A BACKDROP?
Not necessarily. Many venues already have attractive walls, décor or event spaces that work well as a background. You can add backdrops as your business grows.
HOW DO I GET MY FIRST PHOTO BOOTH CLIENT?
Start locally. Show people what your booth looks like, post it on social media, connect with venues and event vendors, and make sure friends, family and local contacts know you're taking bookings.
CAN A PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS BE A SIDE HUSTLE?
Yes. Because many weddings, parties and corporate events happen during evenings and weekends, a photo booth business can be run alongside another job or business.
START WITH
THE BOOTH.
You don't have to build the whole company today. Start with the core setup, learn how to run it, get some bookings and let the business grow from there.