Ever left a party wishing you’d taken photos? We can relate. If you throw a great party, it needs to be documented. But, you shouldn’t have to settle for blurry extended-arm selfies. Instead, thrill your party guests with a DIY photo booth. Professional photo booth services can cost thousands of dollars, but all you need to make one yourself is a camera or smart phone, a few cheap gadgets and some creativity. Not only will memories of your party be documented forever, but your guests will never forget what a great time they had. Check out the suggestions below and start planning for your next get-together.
Let’s get started!
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1.) You’ll need a tripod to start setting up your photo booth.
If there’s one thing you definitely need for your DIY photo booth, it’s a tripod. The beauty of a photo booth is that everyone who wants to be included in a photo can be…no one has to be excluded because they have to take the photo. Tripods also keep the camera steady, so photos don’t turn out blurry.
Tripods are inexpensive and come in handy for all your photography needs. Here are some suggestions:
This tripod comes with a travel bag and only costs $17.
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If you’re planning on using your smartphone, this $18 tripod is compatible with any phone.
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If you already own a tripod, this mount will fit any smartphone.
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If you don’t feel like spending money, you can stabilize your camera in other ways. Go the simple route by setting your camera on a coffee table stacked with books, or make a tripod out of an old soda bottle.
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If you go the DIY route, just make sure your bottle tripod is secured to your surface. If someone knocks over and breaks your camera, your party will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.
2.) Purchase a camera or smartphone shutter remote control.
A camera shutter remote control releases the camera shutter (aka pushes the button and takes a picture) without pushing any buttons on the camera itself. This is ideal for a photo booth, since someone in the picture can control the remote.
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If you’re using your smartphone as a camera, this remote works with almost all of them.
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If you’re feeling pretty confident in your DIY skills, you can make a remote out of a pair of headphones. See the steps here.
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3.) Lighting is key.
Lighting is an important factor in producing great quality photos. If you’re having a party in the daytime, set up your photo booth by a large window for natural lighting. If you’re willing to spend a little money, invest in a cheap LED light that can attach to any camera with a hot shoe.
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For professional-grade lighting on the cheap, you can build your own soft box light. Not only can you use it for this photo booth, but you can also use it to take professional looking portraits.
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If you’re short on time or don’t want to spend a penny, you can use a floor lamp with a high wattage bulb in a pinch. Take the lamp shade off of the lamp and play with the placement behind the camera to decrease hard shadows.
4.) Make an awesome background.
Get as creative as you want with your backdrop, or go for a simple design. For a plain white background, hang a white bed sheet from the wall with tacks. Or, you could…
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Balloons and white garland make a simple yet whimsical backdrop.
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5.) Grab some fun props.
Props make each photo booth picture original, and are just plain fun to play with. Grab some silly hats at a party supply store, or find some trinkets from around the house.
A picture frame adds another layer of photo booth fun.
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Purchase foam photo booth props in bulk, and let your party guests take them home as favors.
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6.) Send them off!
After the party ends, be sure to send your friends off with their photos. Post an album on Facebook, or use a photo-sharing service like Flickr or Photobucket to create a gallery.
Will you use any of these photo booth tips at your next party?
Share it if this has inspired your inner shutterbug.
