It would help if you had the right tools to start and run a business. Here is a guide to the essential tools you will need to start your photo booth business.
If you’re not a business owner but want to host your private photo booth event, this guide is also for you.
Benefits of Starting a Photo Booth Business
Well, why not?
The event planner industry is a fast-growing industry, and you might want to cash in now. It is a relatively cheap business to start, with low running costs, unlike other companies. It doesn’t require too much skill to run.
You will need to commit to learning how to operate the more professional equipment, but you can pick things up within a short period.
You can get creative with your style to stand out from other photo booth rental companies.
Everyone loves taking pictures, and there are countless events taking place each day, so you have a large market to which you can sell your services.
Tools You Will Need to Host a Photo Booth Event
1. Money
I guess it’s pretty obvious. You’ll need money to start any business. The cost of creating a photo booth business can be anywhere between a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. It depends on the type and quality of equipment you purchase.
It would be best if you looked at your purse write down a rough estimate of how much you’re willing to invest.
If you are looking to create a DIY photo booth for your event, then the cost would be significantly less.
Whichever way, it’s best to get the money down first.
2. Camera
A camera is an essential tool for your photo booth.
There are many cameras on the market, but they don’t provide the same photo quality.
● IPad Camera
An Ipad would be the cheapest option if you already own an iPad or some other tablet device. The cost of buying one is less than different camera types, making them ideal for a newbie or hosting a DIY photo booth.
However, they do not deliver the best quality images.
If you’re aiming to provide professional services on a budget, then you can work with an iPad till you afford better options.
● Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera (DSLR)
A DSLR camera is an ideal camera for providing professional services.
They offer quality images, a wide selection of lenses, and long-lasting batteries.
However, they cost more and are heavier than the iPad.
3. Light
You would want to have proper illumination while taking photos.
Two popular light sources are
- Continuous light
- Flash
Continuous light works well with an iPad camera, but if you are using a DSLR camera, you might want to look into Flash.
If you’re hosting a DIY photobooth event, then a LED ring light would suffice.
4. Photo Booths
Now you need to make provisions for the actual photo booth. There are two primary choices,
- Open-air photo booths
- Closed photo booths.
Open-air photo booths are more manageable for a newbie and can accommodate more guests for more exciting photos.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to look into buying a used photo booth but ensure that you’re getting a newer version.
I would advise that you purchase your photo booth from an establishment that offers training and usage instructions.
You can opt for a DIY photo booth if you can’t afford to purchase a used one. The Internet contains lots of photo booth DIY tutorials you can try.
5. Software
You need to invest in excellent software to run a successful photo booth company.
Fortunately, most offer a free trial, so you can try out a few on the market before committing.
Good software allows you to take advantage of features like social media sharing, filters, green screen, and more.
6. Virtual Photo Booths
Covid 19 has made us all more creative about how we interact and spend time with one another.
We are in the era of virtual parties, gatherings, weddings, and events. It would help if you used this to your advantage.
Virtual photo booth software would be a fantastic way to tap into this market. You can now offer a photo booth for online events, expos, and conferences.
7. Professional Website
Professional photo booth websites earn the trust of potential clients. Make sure you include your photo gallery, work samples, and contact information on your website.
People tend to search for photo booth services in their location, so endeavor to optimize your website for your area.
Be creative and add some personality to your site because potential customers might be searching for fun photo booths online.
8. Transportation
You will need a car to move your equipment to the venue of the event.
Choose a car that you can contain all your equipment within your budget.
9. Social Media Marketing
You cannot do without marketing your service on social media. Share photos of events you cover to social media networks.
The more people that see and appreciate your work translates to more patronage.
- Printing equipment
There are two leading printer options for your photo booth.
- Inkjet printer
- Dye-sublimation printer
While the inkjet printer is cheaper to buy upfront, it is slower and costs more to operate long term.
I suggest you look into a dye sublimation printer for your photo booth needs. It prints high-quality pictures, requires less maintenance, and costs less long term.
Some printers allow you to print different size images. This feature might be something that your client might request.
You could find a good dye-sublimation printer for as low as $100.
11. Computer
Lastly, you will need a computer to run your photo booth software and organize your images.
Check out the specs on the computer and ensure that it works well with your software.
Final Thoughts
Starting a new business can be overwhelming, but having the right tools can help you find your footing sooner.
Once you have gotten the necessary tools required to run your business, you can help clients host photo booth events. You might want to include props in your packages but ensure that you provide only high-quality props to avoid looking tacky.
Over time, you may have to upgrade your equipment to improve the quality of services that you offer.
