Big Mistakes People Make with Cheap Photo Booths
These days, it’s easy to assume that a photo booth is something you can DIY — or that any budget vendor will do. But many people only realize the value of professional service after something goes wrong at an event. Remember, this is about your photos—something you’ll look back on for years to come. The quality always shows in the final product. Look at galleries from different photo booth companies side by side—you’ll quickly see the difference. If a company only uses stock photos or event reels on their website or social media, that’s a major red flag. Here’s what to consider before choosing a low-cost option or trying to do it yourself:
DIY SET UP
- Cost of booth, camera, printer/media, backdrop/stand, lighting, software…
- Software / hardware learning curve – hours spent in prep
- Limited templates / design & backdrop options
- Troubleshooting on your own before and during your event
- Photo quality???
Professional service
- Flat event fee, no set-up or tear down, no equipment to haul & store
- Decades of experience in photography, lighting, design, planning
- Professional custom, branded graphics, large backdrop inventory
- On-site troubleshooting done by a professional
- Tested professional results, expert layout, lighting and composition
Poor Composition, Lighting & Color Balance
Beautiful Light, Natural Color, Ideal Framing
☠️ Mistake #1: Thinking It’s “Just a Camera and a Printer”
✅ The Pro Difference:
Yes, gear matters — but so does how it’s used.
We bring professional photography knowledge to every booth. That means:
- Flattering lighting setups (not blue or blown-out images)
- Sharp focus, accurate color, and beautiful custom made filters
- Templates that are custom-designed to match your event or brand
No generic, cookie-cutter prints — everything is designed to feel premium and personal.
☠️ Mistake #2: Underestimating the Time It Takes
✅ The Pro Difference:
A two-hour event actually takes 10+ hours of work:
- Design and customization beforehand
- Back-and-forth communication, contracts, and insurance
- Test shooting, equipment prep, packing
- Travel, early arrival, setup and breakdown
- Post-event equipment maintenance and file delivery
It’s not just showing up and snapping photos — it’s full-scale event production.
☠️ Mistake #3: Ignoring the Hidden Costs
✅ The Pro Difference:
That off-the-shelf booth doesn’t include:
- A camera, iPad, printer, printer to camera communicator
- Backdrops to choose from (We have 60)
- Software subscriptions and licensing fees
- Tech support when something breaks
- Replacement parts or backup gear, backup WiFi source
- Time spent learning (and troubleshooting) the entire system
- Testing, expert level knowledge and experience
We’ve already invested thousands of dollars and hours so you don’t have to.
☠️ Mistake #4: Forgetting About Guest Experience
✅ The Pro Difference:
A photo booth is part of your event atmosphere — and your guests notice.
We help break the ice, encourage shy guests, suggest fun poses, and keep the energy up. Our booth doesn’t just take pictures — it helps people have fun and feel confident in front of the camera.
☠️ Mistake #5: Assuming It’s Easy to Fix Problems on the Fly
✅ The Pro Difference:
Cameras crash. Printers jam. Lighting flickers. Software lags.
When those things happen — and they will — we know exactly what to do. We bring backup gear, redundant systems, and the experience to troubleshoot issues fast, so your event keeps running smoothly.
💡 The Bottom Line
If you’re tempted to cut corners with a DIY setup or cheap vendor, ask yourself:
- Are you okay with mediocre results?
- Do you want to worry about tech issues during your event?
- Will you be happy managing the stress if something goes wrong?
Good Photo Booths Aren’t Cheap, Cheap Photo booths Aren’t Good
When you hire us, you’re not paying for a few hours of photos — you’re investing in a refined, worry-free experience. From custom designs and professional lighting to thoughtful guest interaction, we handle every detail with care and precision. Long before your event begins and after your guests have gone home, we’re working to ensure everything runs beautifully — so you can relax, enjoy the moment, and trust that your memories are in expert hands.