Choosing a Photo Booth

What not only entertains guests, but also provides a unique keepsake from your wedding? A photo booth! People volunteer to be put in front of a camera, strike a super flattering pose, and leave you with a photo of how much fun they were having at your reception. As I've filmed weddings, I've seen photo booths where guests (and the couple) are encouraged to be as goofy as they can be with props either provided by you, brought in, or gathered from your wedding's surroundings. Here's my insider information from my many wedding travels.


Retro Booth
The first is a retro fit photo booth complete with curtains and two strips of photos printed on the spot; one for you and one for your guests. In some photo booths, like this one from Buckeye Entertainment, there's a modern surprise. The photos are also instantaneously uploaded to Facebook. There's always a long line for this and I find great joy in perusing the Facebook photos afterward. You all have some silly guests out there.


Photographer Booth
I've met wedding photographers who also provide their own version of a photo booth. These are usually solid backdrops and a single camera manned by the photographer or assistant.

Groups will fit in to have their adorably ridiculous photos taken and images are later uploaded to the photographer's site for you to purchase prints (and possibly share on Facebook). Shutterhead Studios first introduced me to the concept with their You Booth and I later saw Mary Wyar and also the Ely Brothers have a similar approach with their Fauxto-booth and The Awesomeatic.


Couch Booth
A new take on the photographer photo booth route is the photo couch from Henry Photography. It's probably the prettiest couch I've seen and can make an appearance at your wedding in front of any backdrop the photographers deem worthy. Ooh la la.



DIY Booth
If you're looking for a DIY alternative, I've had couples hang a sheet or pretty tapestry, bring in a crate of hats, wings, glasses, picture frames, chalkboards, you name it, and set up a small point and shoot camera complete with self-timer on a tripod. The guests seemed to enjoy encouraging each other and suggesting poses and props.

A cyber option would include encouraging your guests to take photos and upload them to a site like Instagram using the same hashtag and later create your own album of images on a site like Shutterfly.


You can really let your imagination run wild with the possibilities. What are you considering for your reception? Comment below or pop on over and "Like" my Facebook page to share your ideas and stay current with my videography world.


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