A Guide to Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Event
Photo booths have become an essential part of any event in Melbourne, spicing them up by adding an element of fun and interaction. In the modern times, photo booths are not just a way of taking photos, they’re about creating memories, encouraging social interaction, and adding a fun element that resonates with people of all ages. When you have a photo booth at your event, it gives guests a reason to engage with each other, loosen up, and take home a photo strip from the event to remember the day.
Finding the right photo booth is crucial because it can set the tone for your event, fit within your space requirements, and align with your budget. The best photo booth for a wedding party might not be the same as the ideal booth for a marketing activation. When choosing a photo booth, you should consider several factors, such as the size of your venue, the expected number of guests, the event’s theme, and the type of experience you want to offer. Additionally, consider what kind of souvenirs you want your guests to take home. For example, it could be physical prints, digital images, or animated GIFs. The choice of photo booth can significantly impact the flow of your event and the overall guest experience.
Whether you’re hosting a wedding, a corporate event, a birthday party, or a school dance, there’s a photo booth option that will fit your needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the five main types of photo booths for hire in Melbourne, highlighting the benefits, drawbacks, and suitable events for each.
1. Open Air Photo Booths
Open air photo booths are a modern and versatile take on the traditional photo booth. Unlike enclosed booths, open air photo booths don’t have a surrounding structure or walls. Instead, they consist of a standalone camera setup in-built within a shell and a 8ft x 8ft backdrop to go with it.
These booths typically feature a professional DSLR camera, professional lighting, and an interactive touchscreen for guests to start their photo sessions. This open design allows for a more inclusive experience, where guests can observe and participate without feeling confined to a small space. Open air booths also come with instant printing capabilities, providing guests with physical copies of their photos. Additionally, open air photo booths offer a broad range of customisation options, from themed backdrops to QR mobile sharing to enhance the overall experience for your guests. The flexibility in setup means they can be adapted to fit almost any venue size and configuration, making them a popular choice for a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale parties.
Benefits of Renting an Open Air Photo Booth:
- Spacious: Accommodates up to 10 people per photo session, making it perfect for events with larger groups of people.
- Customisable Options: You can choose from a range of options including custom lighting, custom start screen, custom backdrops and QR Mobile Sharing.
- Interactive: Guests can watch others pose, creating a more engaging experience. It’s the perfect ice-breaker for any event.
A few things to Consider:
- Less privacy: Some guests may feel self-conscious with others watching, especially couples.
- Environmental factors: If outdoors, weather conditions could impact the experience. We recommend Open Air Photo booths for indoor events only.
Suitable Events:
- Weddings
- Corporate events
- Birthday Parties
- School Events
- Bar Mitzvah
Approximate Cost of Hiring an Open Air Booth:
Open air photo booths typically start at around $399 for a basic 2 hour rental package and can go up to $2,000 depending on additional features like custom backdrops.
2. Traditional Enclosed Photo Booths
Traditional enclosed photo booths create a sense of nostalgia and privacy, offering guests a classic photo-taking experience within a confined space. These booths typically consist of a solid structure with walls or curtains which provides a private area where guests can take photos. Inside, you’ll find a seating or standing area, a camera setup, and often a touchscreen interface to kick start he photo session.
The enclosed nature of these booths creates a fun and intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to let loose without feeling like they’re on display. This is particularly appealing to those who might feel shy or uncomfortable posing in front of a crowd. Traditional enclosed photo booths usually come with built-in lighting to ensure consistent photo quality, regardless of external conditions. Additionally, these booths typically offer instant printing, allowing guests to take home physical copies of their photos within a few seconds.
While they tend to be smaller in size compared to open air booths, traditional enclosed photo booths still offer customisation options such as different curtain colors, themed props, and various photo template designs. These booths are ideal for events where space is limited, or where a touch of retro charm is desired, making them a popular choice for weddings, private parties, and other intimate gatherings.
Benefits of Having an Enclosed Photo Booth:
- Privacy: Ideal for guests who prefer a more intimate setting.
- Classic experience: Reminiscent of the nostalgic photo booths from the past.
- Consistent lighting: Controlled lighting ensures consistent photo quality.
Disadvantages of Enclosed Booths:
- Limited space: Smaller capacity, typically accommodating 2-4 people at a time.
- Less flexibility: Limited backdrop options and fixed structure.
Suitable Events:
- Intimate weddings
- Private parties
- Retro-themed events
- Corporate events with limited space
Approximate Cost of Enclosed Booths:
Traditional enclosed photo booths range from $900 to $1,800 depending on size, features and number of hours.
3. Mirror Photo Booths
Mirror photo booths bring a touch of elegance and interactivity to the photo booth experience. These booths feature a large, full-length mirror with a built-in camera and touchscreen technology which allows guests to see themselves as they pose for the photos. The mirror typically has a sleek, modern design with LED lighting around the edges, adding a glamorous touch to any event. One of the unique aspects of mirror photo booths is the interactive element. Guests can use the touchscreen to start the photo session, choose from a range of digital props and animations, and even add personalised messages for their photos. This makes the experience more engaging and fun.
These photo booths are well-suited for upscale events like weddings, corporate galas, and brand activations, where a sophisticated and interactive experience is desired. While they may require a bit more setup and investment due to the technology involved, the overall impact on guest engagement and satisfaction makes them a popular choice for those seeking an elevated photo booth experience.
Benefits of Mirror Booths:
- Interactive: Engaging touchscreen experience. You also have the option to add on a red carpet and bollards.
- Sleek design: Adds a touch of elegance to any event.
- Customisation: Allows for personalised photo overlays and digital signatures.
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost: Generally more expensive due to the advanced technology.
- Complex setup: Requires more time for logistics, set up and unpack.
Suitable Events:
- Weddings
- Corporate galas
- High-end parties
- Promotional events
Approximate Cost of Mirror Photo Booths in Melbourne:
Mirror photo booths usually cost between $800 and $1,800, depending on the level of customization and additional features.
4. 360 Photo Booths
360 photo booths offer an immersive and dynamic experience, capturing a full-circle view of guests on video. Unlike traditional photo booths that focus on static images, a 360 photo booth uses a rotating camera arm that sweeps around a central platform where guests stand and pose. This creates a 360-degree video or image, providing a unique perspective that’s both visually stunning and highly engaging. The central platform in a 360 photo booth is designed to be stable, allowing guests to move, dance, or strike poses while the camera arm rotates around them. The resulting footage can be transformed into slow-motion videos, or even dynamic GIFs, making it ideal for social media sharing.
360 photo booths are perfect for events that aim to make a bold statement, such as corporate launches, music festivals, influencer gatherings, or high-end weddings. Due to the technology and setup involved, they tend to be more expensive and require more space than traditional booths, but the impact they have on guest engagement and the unique content they produce make them well worth the investment.
Benefits:
- Unique experience: Provides a distinctive and immersive experience for guests.
- Great for social media: The 360-degree content is perfect for sharing online.
- Flexible setups: Can be used indoors or outdoors (with protection from rain).
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost: Typically more expensive due to the technology and setup complexity.
- Space requirements: Requires a larger area for the rotating camera arm.
Suitable Events:
- Corporate events with a tech focus
- Brand launches
- High-energy parties
- High-end Weddings
- Concerts and festivals
Approximate Cost:
360 photo booths start at around $1,000 and can go up to $3,500 depending on additional features and duration of hire.
5. GIF Photo Booths
GIF photo booths are a fun and interactive twist on the classic photo booth experience, designed to create animated sequences that can be easily shared across social media platforms. Instead of capturing a single still image, GIF photo booths take a rapid series of photos in quick succession, stitching them together to create an animated GIF. This format allows guests to add an extra layer of creativity and movement to their photo booth sessions, resulting in dynamic and often humorous animations.
These photo booths are typically equipped with high-quality cameras and digital touchscreens, allowing guests to control the entire process from initiating the GIF sequence to choosing additional effects. The advantage of GIF photo booths is their instant digital delivery. After creating the GIF, guests can share it via email, SMS, or directly to social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
GIF photo booths are well-suited for a wide variety of events, from corporate gatherings and brand activations to youth-focused parties and music festivals. Their interactive nature and quick turnaround time keep the energy high and the guest experience memorable. While they may not provide physical prints, the digital focus and social media appeal make GIF photo booths an attractive choice for events seeking a modern, trendy vibe.
Benefits:
- Fun and engaging: The GIF format adds an element of movement and playfulness.
- Social media-friendly: Ideal for guests who love to share online.
- Quick turnaround: GIFs are created and shared almost instantly.
Disadvantages:
- Limited print options: Guests receive digital copies rather than physical prints.
- Lower resolution: GIFs often have a lower resolution compared to traditional photos.
Suitable Events:
- Tech-themed parties
- Brand activations
- Influencer events
- Youth-oriented gatherings
Approximate Cost:
GIF photo booths typically range from $500 to $1,200 depending on the setup and additional features.
Reserve the Right Type of Photo Booth for your Event in Melbourne
Choosing the right photo booth for your event can make a significant difference in the overall experience for your guests. From open air photo booths to mirror photo booths and the innovative 360 photo booths, each type has its unique advantages and best use cases.
At Rewind Booths, we specialise in providing premier photo booth experiences for weddings, corporate events, and birthday parties. Our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that your event’s photo booth experience will be nothing short of amazing. With our wide range of booth options you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your event, whether it’s a wedding reception, a corporate gala, or a birthday celebration. Contact our team to get a free quote for your Melbourne photo booth hire.