PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS EQUIPMENT

WHAT EQUIPMENT
DO YOU NEED TO
START A PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS?

Less than you probably think. You don't need to buy every printer, backdrop, prop and gadget you see online. Start with the equipment you actually need to run a good event — then grow from there.

SEE THE EQUIPMENT LIST ↓ SEE THE MWE BOOTH →
✓ What you need
✓ What can wait
✓ What I'd buy first
equipment for starting an iPad photo booth business
THE SHORT VERSION

THREE THINGS
GET YOU MOST OF THE WAY.

Booth + iPad + software.

That's the core of a simple digital iPad photo booth setup. Your booth gives you the physical structure and lighting, the iPad handles the camera and touchscreen, and the software creates the guest experience.

START HERE

THE THREE PIECES
I WOULD BUY FIRST.

Before worrying about printers, backdrops or props, get the actual photo booth working.

1

THE PHOTO BOOTH

This is the physical booth guests see. Look for something professional, sturdy, portable and easy to set up. Built-in lighting is a major plus because it removes another piece of equipment from your shopping list.

2

THE iPAD

In an iPad booth, the tablet does a lot of work. It's your camera, computer, touchscreen and the device running your photo booth software.

3

PHOTO BOOTH SOFTWARE

The software turns your iPad into the guest experience: countdowns, photos, GIFs, boomerangs, overlays, galleries and digital sharing.

THE FULL LIST

YOUR PHOTO BOOTH
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT LIST.

Here's how I'd separate the things you actually need from the things you can add after the bookings start coming in.

01

PHOTO BOOTH

MUST HAVE

The physical booth structure. Look for portability, professional appearance, sturdy construction and good lighting.

02

iPAD

MUST HAVE

Your camera, touchscreen and computer. Make sure your iPad is compatible with both the booth and the software you choose.

03

PHOTO BOOTH SOFTWARE

MUST HAVE

Runs the guest experience and handles your photos, GIFs, boomerangs, overlays and sharing.

04

LIGHTING

MUST HAVE

Good lighting matters. If your booth already has a strong adjustable light built into it, this part of the equipment list may already be handled.

05

POWER + EXTENSION CORDS

MUST HAVE

Bring dependable extension cords, power connections and charging cables. Do not assume the perfect outlet will be sitting three feet from your booth.

06

TRAVEL CASE

VERY USEFUL

You're going to move this equipment constantly. A good case protects the booth and makes loading and unloading much easier.

07

INTERNET BACKUP

VERY USEFUL

Venue Wi-Fi can be unpredictable. Know how your software behaves without internet and have a backup plan for sharing or syncing images when service is poor.

08

BACKDROP

CAN WAIT

Backdrops are great, but they don't have to be a day-one purchase. Many venues already have attractive walls, décor or event spaces that work beautifully behind a booth.

09

PROPS

CAN WAIT

Fun? Sure. Required? No. You can run an excellent modern photo booth without hauling a giant box of plastic hats to every event.

10

PHOTO PRINTER

CAN WAIT

Printing is a great upgrade, but it adds cost, supplies, transportation and another piece of equipment to troubleshoot. Starting digital-only keeps things much simpler.

11

SECOND BOOTH

DEFINITELY LATER

Don't buy booth number two because you hope you'll need it. Buy booth number two when you're getting enough bookings that one booth is becoming the problem.

MWE iPad photo booth with built in adjustable ring light
THIS IS WHY I LIKE THIS BOOTH

PART OF YOUR
EQUIPMENT LIST IS
ALREADY HANDLED.

One reason I like the MWE iPad booth as a starter booth is that you're not just buying an empty stand for an iPad. Several pieces of the setup are already built into or included with the booth.

  • RGB + adjustable white ring light
  • Photo booth body
  • Rolling base
  • Rolling travel case
  • iPad mounting panels
  • Light remote
  • Power cable
  • Mounting hardware
  • Installation tools
  • Custom front graphic
What you still need: the iPad itself and your photo booth software are separate.
SEE THE MWE BOOTH →
KEEP THIS SIMPLE

WHAT SHOULD YOU BUY
NOW — AND WHAT SHOULD
YOU BUY LATER?

BUY FIRST

Concentrate your startup money on the things required to deliver the actual service.

  • Photo booth
  • Compatible iPad
  • Photo booth software
  • Dependable lighting
  • Power and charging cables
  • Safe transportation

ADD AS YOU GROW

Let your bookings and your customers tell you when these purchases make sense.

  • Printer
  • Backdrop collection
  • Props
  • Extra lighting
  • Additional booth
  • Other specialty equipment
DON'T FORGET THE BORING STUFF

THE LITTLE THINGS
YOU'LL BE GLAD
YOU PACKED.

The booth gets all the attention. These are the things that can quietly save an event.

EXTENSION CORDS Because the outlet is never exactly where you want it.
POWER STRIP Give yourself enough safe connections for the setup.
CHARGING CABLES Bring the correct cables — and preferably backups.
GAFFER TAPE Useful for keeping cords secure and your setup tidy.
CLEANING CLOTH Guests are going to touch that screen all night.
BACKUP SUPPLIES Small replacements and duplicates can save a lot of stress.
A WORD OF WARNING

DON'T BUILD A
STORAGE UNIT
BEFORE YOU BUILD
A BUSINESS.

Photo booth equipment is fun to buy.

That's part of the problem.

It's incredibly easy to convince yourself that you need three backdrops, a printer, two prop boxes, extra lighting, a fancy cart and six other things before you're ready to take a booking.

Meanwhile, none of that equipment has booked you a customer.

I'd rather put together one clean, reliable setup and spend the rest of my energy learning the software, getting good at events and finding customers.

Buy equipment because the business needs it — not because the internet made it look fun.

KEEP BUILDING

READY FOR THE
NEXT STEP?

Equipment is only one piece of starting the business. These guides will help you put the rest together.

START HERE How to Start a Photo Booth Business Step by Step See the complete roadmap → BUILD YOUR BUDGET How Much Does It Cost to Start a Photo Booth Business? See the startup cost breakdown → PROTECT THE BUSINESS Photo Booth Contract Guide See what belongs in your contract → THE BOOTH See the MWE iPad Photo Booth Check the current booth options →
COMMON QUESTIONS

PHOTO BOOTH EQUIPMENT
FAQ.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO START A PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS?

For a simple digital iPad photo booth business, the core equipment is a physical photo booth, a compatible iPad, photo booth software, dependable lighting and the cables and power supplies needed to operate the setup.

DO I NEED A DSLR CAMERA?

Not if you're building an iPad photo booth. The iPad provides the camera, computer and touchscreen, which is one reason an iPad setup can be simpler for a new operator.

DO I NEED A PHOTO PRINTER?

No. You can start with digital delivery and add printing later if your customers want it and it fits your business model.

DO I NEED A BACKDROP?

No. Backdrops are useful, but many venues have attractive walls, décor and event spaces that can work as the background. Backdrops can easily be added later.

WHAT DOES AN iPAD PHOTO BOOTH NEED?

At minimum, an iPad photo booth needs the physical booth, a compatible iPad, photo booth software, lighting and power. Depending on the booth you purchase, lighting, cases and other components may already be included.

SHOULD I BUY ALL MY PHOTO BOOTH EQUIPMENT AT ONCE?

Not necessarily. Starting with the core equipment and adding printers, backdrops, props and additional booths as demand grows can reduce the amount of money you invest before you have customers.

READY TO BUILD YOUR SETUP?

START WITH
THE BOOTH.

Get the core equipment right first. Then let your customers, bookings and revenue tell you what equipment to add next.

SEE THE MWE BOOTH →
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