Tips for Maximizing Photo Booth Fun

July 27th, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

Now that we’ve gotten our YouBooth photo booth out into the world, and we’re seeing it used for all types of events, we’re discovering new ways to maximize its effectiveness.   Like you’ll find at any party, most people need to get warmed up a bit before they start really having fun with the photo booth.  And as any good host knows, there are a number of methods and things you can use – aside from alcohol! – to get things rolling.

First, people have to know the photo booth is there.  At an intimate event, the booth’s presence is obvious; curiosity is aroused and it doesn’t take long for people to start having fun with it.  However, at a large party or a corporate event – or, as we experienced recently at a trade show – the booth’s presence isn’t as obvious.  With so much happening in a large event space, some people probably won’t even notice the photo booth.  This is easily resolved with onsite promotion and signage, which leads to the first tip.

Tip # 1: Use promotion and signage to let people know the photo booth is there.

If you’re hosting a large event, include mention of the booth – and that people will be able to take photos home with them – in the invitation verbiage, and in all pre-event promotion.  At business and not-for-profit events especially, people like to know they’re getting something just for showing up.  If they know the photo booth is there, they’ll probably seek it out.

At the event, you can direct people to the photo booth with signage at the entrance and throughout the space.  You also could tack photos onto a corkboard and place it on an easel somewhere in the venue, so people can see photo samples.  The key is to use visuals to generate buzz, curiosity and participation.  Showing the images on large screens is the most impactful way to do this, which leads to the next tip.

Tip #2: Show the images on large screens so everyone can share the fun.

With our YouBooth photo booth, it’s easy to have the photos shown on plasmas, a large plain wall or large screens throughout the room.  If you’re already using screens at the event for other purposes, there’s little additional cost.  People love seeing the images flash around them.  It’s always a conversation-starter, and it makes the photos become part of the event entertainment.  Once people see the images projected, it usually starts a stampede for the photo booths – everyone wants to join in.

This video shows how the projection looks in a large venue: event video

Of course, with many events, budget or space restrictions preclude showing the images on large screens.  But remember the power of the spoken word!  This brings us to the next tip.

Tip #3: Make announcements about the photo booth location.

When the party includes a host or DJ, have him encourage everyone to use the booth.  If there’s a public address system, use it to make announcements about where the photo booth is located, and that free photos are available for everyone.  The word “free” usually generates immediate interest!   With catered affairs, or those with entertainment or hired hosts, you can ask the staff to spread the word about the booth.  If you can spare a few of the staff early-on, ask them to have their photos taken, and post them.  This leads to …

Tip #4: Get the ball rolling by taking photos of yourself or your support staff.

Once people watch other people use the booth, they usually want to give it a go themselves.  Often, that’s all you need to break the ice.  The hostess can ask early arrivers to pose with her, and she can then ask those people to ask a few other people to pose with them…and so on.  Do the same with the event staff at a corporate affair.  When people are seen posing and having fun with the photo booth, and they start showing their photos around, others want to jump in.  Most people will want more than one photo, but to keep people coming back for more, you need to make it interesting, which takes us to the final tip.

Tip #5: Use props to maximize the hilarity – and get better photos.

With our YouBooth photo booth, we offer a selection of props that people can use to help bring more silly fun to their photos.  Boas, hats, picture frames, fake mustaches and goofy glasses are all fun props that bring out everyone’s sense of play.  When people are having fun, you get better pictures.

You can customize the props for holidays, or tie them in with the theme of the event – small bouquets for weddings, fake lobsters and bibs for a seafood cook-out, Santa hats and mistletoe for a Christmas party. There are dozens of ways to personalize the props and make the photos more relevant to your event.

We are always happy to work with you in finding creative ways to maximize the effectiveness of our YouBooth photo booth.  Using even one of these tips will help ensure that you maximize the effectiveness of the photo booth – and that your event guests maximize their fun.