DIY photo booth for your party: this is how you make it yourself

Why a photo booth belongs at every party

A photo booth is more than a fun extra — it's an activity, an icebreaker and a memory machine all in one. Guests have fun, groups that don't know each other come together for a photo, and afterwards you have a collection of hilarious and beautiful moments.

The good news: you don't have to rent a professional photo booth. With a little creativity and a small budget you can make one that is just as fun.

What do you need?

The basics of a DIY photo booth are surprisingly simple:

• Camera: A smartphone on a tripod is sufficient. Use the timer function or a Bluetooth remote control.
• Lighting: Good light is essential. Place the photo booth near a window (during the day) or use two floor lamps or a ring lamp.
• Background: This is where the magic is — more on that in the next heading.
• Props: hats, glasses, mustaches, signs with texts — the crazier, the more fun.
• Possibly: an instant printer (Instax or Canon Selphy) for direct printing.

The background: 5 ideas

The background determines the look of your photo booth. Here are five ideas for every budget:

• Balloon Wall: Fill a frame or wall with balloons in your color theme. Spectacular and easy to make.
• Flower or greenery wall: Attach faux flowers or eucalyptus garlands to a wooden frame or mesh panel. Perfect for weddings and garden parties.
• Streamers or paper streamers: Hang strips of crepe paper or metallic streamers from a stick or tube. Cheap and colorful.
• Fabric or curtain: a large piece of velvet, tulle or glitter fabric as a backdrop. Simple and elegant.
• Chalkboard or whiteboard: guests write their own message in the background before posing. Unique with every photo!

Budget tip: search thrift stores and promotional stores for materials. A photo booth doesn't have to be expensive — €15-30 is often enough for a great result.

Make and collect props

Props are the best part. Combine purchased and homemade items:

• Buy: party animals, sunglasses, inflatable instruments, wigs, hats
• Printing: moustaches, lips, glasses and text signs on sticks. Find free templates online and print them on sturdy paper.
• DIY signs: write funny texts on cardboard signs: "I'm here for the cake", "Party animal", "Team bride" or something that fits the theme of your party.
• Theme props: for a wedding: veils and bows. For a birthday: the number of the age. For Halloween: masks and fake spiders.

The setup

Choose a corner or wall that is well lit and where there is enough space for groups of 4-6 people. The ideal setup:

• Background at eye level, wide enough for 3-4 people next to each other
• Camera on a tripod, at a distance of 1.5-2 meters
• Lighting on either side of the camera, focused on the background
• A table or basket with all the props within reach
• A sign with instructions: "Grab a prop, stand in front of it, press the button!"

Share photos with your guests

The photos have been taken — but how do you share them? Here are the best options:

• Instant prints: With an Instax or Selphy printer, guests can immediately take a print home with them. Have them also put one in a guestbook.
• Shared album: create a Google Photos or iCloud album and share the link.
• Invitedd: Share the photos directly via your Invitedd event. Guests can also upload their own photos, so you will have a complete photo album of the entire party afterwards.

Photo booth for different parties

A photo booth works at almost any party. Customize the theme:

• Wedding: romantic background, "Mr & Mrs" signs, flowers and veils
• Birthday: balloons, party animals, the age number highlighted
• Children's party: superhero props, animal masks, lots of color
• Company party: more subtle props, company logo as background
• New Year's Eve: glitter, champagne glasses, the new year

Get started!

A DIY photo booth is easier than you think and adds a lot to any party. Start with a backdrop and a few props, and you'll see how guests will have fun all evening long.

Combine your photo booth with an Invitedd event and you not only have a great party, but also a beautiful collection of photos and memories that you can look back on for years to come. Have fun building!