Foolproof Your DIY Photo Booth With GLAMCOR
Attending a wedding, sweet 16, a high school reunion, or an event soon? Chances are a photo booth, or a selfie station is set up in the corner to register the fun day.
Photo booths and selfie stations have been a growing trend in the party and events industry and aren’t slowing down anytime soon. However, DIY photo booths and selfie stations are becoming even more popular as cost-effective alternatives to a-la-Kardashian-style-photo-booths.
What's the difference? They're pretty much the same thing.
Selfie Stations are a much more relaxed version of a photo booth where there's no photographer. Instead, guests are given selfie sticks, disposable cameras, or other means to take photos of themselves. In comparison, photo booths are more of a set-up area complete with a backdrop, a timed camera on a tripod or a photographer. Although you can rent a proper photo booth for an event—like a throwback movie theater photo booth—they can be quite the investment.
When it comes to DIY photo booths, the best tip is to create a distinctive, well-lit backdrop that guests will love for mini photoshoots. Whether you go the DIY route or decide to hire a service, a great backdrop will make any event that much more Instagrammy.
We've rounded up the top things you need to know to create a foolproof DIY photo booth for your next event.
The Perfect Spot For DIY Backdrop Or Selfie Station
First, start your DIY quest by finding the perfect spot for the DIY photo booth or selfie station. Ideally, it should be somewhere guests can quickly find, but that doesn't interrupt the flow of your event. Don't place it near busy doors like the entrance or bathroom doors where people will be coming and going at all times.
Once you find the ideal spot, take note of measurements, if there's a back wall that could be used, or any permanent fixtures or decorations that you'd like to disguise.
Assess The Lighting For Your DIY Photo Booth
Lighting can make or break a photo. What's the point of creating a space for pictures if you can't see the guests in the pictures taken? Nailing this down is KEY to your DIY photo booth success. It's truly the reason why some people would rather hire a photographer to man a photo booth or even rent an automatic booth with all the bells and whistles to make sure that the photos come out clear.
The best way to nail the lighting for your DIY photo booth or selfie station is to use strong LED daylight lighting. The Glamcor Multimedia X (MMX) is a great option because it does more than provide amazing lighting.
The MMX is a multimedia light kit that includes 2 light bars with color temperature and dimming control, a Bluetooth remote control, and a phone, tablet, and camera clip.
The MMX is so easy to set up and so easy to use. Guests of all ages will be able to take great photos with customized lighting depending on the location of your event and elements such as windows, time of day, and if a DJ is dropping the beat complete with strobe lighting and a smoke machine.
Choose Your Camera Of Choice
Decide on how the pictures will be taken. Will there be selfie sticks for guests to take on their phones, disposable cameras, polaroids, a tripod? Cross one more thing off your to-do list and go with the MMX!
With the remote control, the MMX Content Creation Kit makes taking selfies easier than ever. Guests can take pictures with a touch of a button on the remote control hidden in the palm of their hand—no one will ever know. You also have the choice of connecting a camera, tablet, or smartphone to the MMX, but a tablet or camera is highly recommended for events.
Want to let your guests use the MMX with their phones? It’s easy! Leave instructions for guests on how to set up their smartphones. All it takes are 3 simple steps:
- Open up the settings in the phone and connect to Bluetooth.
- Secure the phone on the universal phone clip.
- Use the remote control and say cheese!
DIY Photo Booth Props For Extra Fun
Props help break the shell of the photo-shy guests. Create your own with supplies from your local craft store, get silly hats and oversized glasses, or order custom props from Etsy like these right here. Either way, photo booth props help bring the silliness to an overall formal event or take a fun event to the next level.
Sharing DIY Photo Booth Pictures
Picture this. Guests start taking pictures at your DIY backdrop that you spent time and energy to create, but you don't have the photos. Save the hassle of tracking down guests after an event by having a clear sign with a designated social media hashtag so that pictures can easily be found by all.
Hot Tip: Make the hashtag sign part of your overall decor and make it stand out so that guests notice it like these on Pinterest. Also, choose a hashtag that's memorable and easy to remember for later.
Embed from Getty Images
Pick Your Backdrop
This depends entirely on your event type and theme, but a backdrop is a must for a DIY photo booth. And it shouldn't be complicated—unless you want something over-the-top. You can order a customized backdrop, use airy curtains with string lights, create a faux-floral wall, or even a trendy balloon arch.
Add a lounge chair, a plant and other decor pieces to create a more homey feel or a show stopping neon sign.
Whatever backdrop you choose for your event, do a few test runs to make sure its dimensions fit the camera's format for optimal photos that show the people and the backdrop.
Another Hot Tip: The flexible arms on the MMX help create the right angles that capture both the backdrop and people in it.
As you can see, creating a DIY photo booth isn’t as difficult as it may seem. You just need the right tools and methods to help create the outcome you’ve dreamed about and photos to cherish for a lifetime.