Photobooth

AmberMarieTX

Has anyone found relatively cheap deals on hiring a photobooth company? I'm thinking of just doing a casual DIY version (putting up a backdrop, putting out the props, etc).. I know this seems overdone but I have definitely not been to a wedding with a photobooth and I think our familiy and friends will really like it. Any input would be appreciated.

mandaroo7

I think they are a great idea and a lot of fun!  My sis and I hopped in 3 at the bridal show yesterday.  One I thought was pretty cool bc it was bigger on the inside.  I tossed the brochure bc it's out of my budget, but I think it was $695 for a small package?  If you're interested, try below I am pretty sure that was the company (sorry if not).

www.snapzsnapz.com/

MLandCJ

I was dead set on doing a traditional photo booth. I love them, but when I saw the prices of some I was just shocked!
 
There was one photog at the star telegram bridal show who offered two hours for $395 or four for $495 I think. It was shutter spire, I didn't really care for him though. I don't know if those prices were if you booked him as a photog or just a service he offered.He made me take a photo to get the coupon, I was just irrated.

I'm going to go the DIY route. I'm crafty and figure it wouldn't be that hard to make/set up. Plus, I like the photos that can have more than 2 people in them. I'm going to hire my brother's friend to take photos for the entire night.

MissAngel

I loved the idea too until I saw the prices.  When I was quoting them out, I found that DCPhotobooth was the cheapest.  I think some people here thought the strips were a little too small, but I didn't get a chance to even ask for a sample since they were booked for my date and I called 10 months in advance. 
My photographer also has one, but it too was out of my budget even with a discount.

I decided to DIY it.  It's in my bio if you want to see. 

tam427

we thought about doing a DIY photobooth, but the cost of the printer, ink, paper, and the logistics of setting it up, swapping ink/paper, etc. was just a little too much. FI said he would do it, but then he wouldn't be enjoying his own wedding reception. He was annoyed but I nixed the idea... I thought it would be too complicated for our 3 hour reception- and no one but the kids would use it and potentially break it.

ETA: Miss Angel, you don't say in your bio how/where the camera/printer will be set up. I'd like to see what you're doing.

AmberMarieTX

Well, mine was going to be a lazy DIY photobooth. I was going to set up the backdrop and the props and just use a digital camera, use walmart or something to develop them, and then enclose them in Thank You cards.... what do you think?

MLandCJ

MissAngel! WHOA! you gave me tons of tips for my own plans thanks!

dannag75

I am using DC photobooths this weekend. I got their middle/silver package for $700 - includes 4 hours, two attendants, all the scrapbooking materials. I do believe they were the cheapest and have a plan that is less than the one I got. I will let you know how it goes after the big day!

MissAngel

Oh... we are still figuring this out.  I actually have a computer program that is set up to run like a regular photobooth would.  It counts down and lets you do 3-6 poses depending on what style you picked.  It uses a 2 mp webcam to take the pictures and it automatically sends the print to a dye-sub canon selphy printer.  I will most likely set up a table at the 'front' of the photobooth (there is a section of my photobooth that will hide the equipment, etc.) with the scrapbooking material and the printer.  I'm just going to have shifts with my sisters/cousins to change out the paper.  The rest is automatic. 

Even with a computer, I made it work with arcade buttons just like a real photobooth so there is no keyboard or mouse to mess with.  There is basically a 'next', 'go back', and 'start' button.

So right now, the only thing I'm working out is how to hide the equipment (moreso how to mount a monitor onto something sturdy).  We have some ideas, but I didn't want to put too much more into it.

I'll see if the extra effort is worth it after my wedding.  FI wants to rent it out after this... Basically enough to cover the paper/ink (which comes out to be $0.28 a picture) and some extra for my time to sit there and man the booth.

HTH!

AmberMarieTX

I may have to keep you in mind for my July 2011 wedding And I'm sure we would pay more than just the 28 cents a picture!

tam427

Yes, let me know what the estimated cost is when you can.. I'm very interested! My only concern is that I don't want people ATTENDING my wedding WORKING at my wedding

Elleeaver

Wow that printer is slow @85 secs arent you worried people will get backed up

MissAngel

My printer prints at 47 sec (Canon Selphy CP780).  It takes longer than 1 minute to go through the 3-6 snapshots and options on the photobooth program, so if you are referring to my printer, no, it's not too slow for me.  I researched this ad nauseum... the only other method of doing this is with a SnapLab (and similar) at a whopping $1000 per printer... which prints in 5 sec, but I'm not a professional, so I don't think my guests will mind 47 sec nor do I want to invest in such equipment.

btw... I also checked used SnapLab printers and it was still about $700 and I'm not sure how to just serendipitously "run into" a good deal on these.

Epson Picturemate Charm/Show/Dash might be be a little faster... but it's also around $200 - $300... My printer was $50.  So all in all, I felt that this was the best option for me if I could print all night (5 hours) and save myself $900 (based on the quote I got from my photographer).