Knowing a DIY photo booth is in our future, it is important (for my sanity) to work out the details of the how as soon as possible. Our annual New Year’s party presented the perfect opportunity to set up a prototype booth. Of course, Mr. P and I had to get the thing working in a matter of days, but those are small details, right? Ha. Once it was up and running, our friends would test it out and find the flaws.
I did some research, finding free and not-free programs. Heck, I even have a program on my MacBook that does the hard work for me. But I didn’t like any of these options. I wanted more control (and to keep drunk people with liquids away from my laptop).
My requirements for the prototype were:
Toss out the notion of paying for a professional photo booth right now. Seriously. You’ll spend enough money on other things, like those Chiavari chairs. If you’re OK with not having printouts for guests, you can duplicate what we did and save even more money.
The success of the photo booth depends on very few pieces.
The technical details weren’t difficult. Find the video cable that came with your camera, otherwise purchase a compatible one. (Same goes for the remote.) Connect the video cable to the camera and TV. Yellow into yellow for the TV. Black jack into your camera’s “video out.” TV set to video mode.
On your camera: remove the auto-off timer, set image display to “hold” or similar, set it to remote shutter, and turn the beep on for your guests. I set my camera to automatic shooting with flash to make it even more foolproof.
Center the camera on your backdrop.
(Our IKEA tablecloth doubled as a makeshift backdrop.)
Take a few test shots with the remote.
Take 1: See? I got part of the wall.
Reposition or zoom as needed.
Take 2: Much better
The photo appears on the TV, holding until the next shot is taken. You’ll have to trust the image is on the screen. (The TV glow was too much for a mere iPhone camera.) What the guests see: instructions taped to tripod, remote nearby.
With any luck (and some tweaks), you’ll end up with some great captures by the end of the night, like these.
Getting the hang of it
Some of the boys
Love the expressions in this one!
Blue steel, right?
Getting cuddly
And sassy
And cuddly again
Trio of trouble
The winners of beer pong
Almost midnight
Don’t they look like they’re having fun?! Definitely a do again!
What props would you use in a photo booth? Would you attempt a photo booth DIY? If you’ve gone the DIY route, any recommendations to pass along?
This is awesome! Are you planning on this being self serve at your wedding or are you having someone man it? I am worried someone will take off with the remote in their non-sober state.
Thanks for the info– I’m nervous about mine, really not sure how I’m going to pull it off. I’m considering just hiring someone for the night to stand by.. but I DO love the tv option because the laptop thing just makes me nervous!
that is great! I never knew a fauxto-booth could be so easily done! We sacrificed chiavari chairs for an actual photo booth and I have been busily making/collecting props for it… facial hair and lips on a stick, funky sunglasses and need to get some hats and boas!
Love the Photo Booth app, I should definitely use it more.
We opted for the pro photo booth and against the chiavari chairs, actually 
It had to be one or the other!
Great post! Maybe Waffle and I can have a photobooth after all. 
Your fauxto-booth turned out so well! That wireless remote is pretty nifty.
I want to do something similar but I’m scared to put my Rebel out. It’s my precious and I don’t trust the guests at the wedding with it. So I’m trying to find something that will work with my Sony Cybershot. I already have a wireless remote I’ll have to check and see if it will work with the Sony. Thanks for the examples it really helped me think it out!
@sparks: Totally self-serve. Many of our NYE guests are wedding guests and will be our photobooth ambassadors. Maybe I should chain the remote to the area like the banks do with pens??
@Miss Crepe: It’s really easy to figure out. It may be worth the peace of mind to have someone manning it to demo and troubleshoot.
@xtatic1: A photobooth is so much more interactive (and fun) than chairs!
@Mrs. Taco: If we had room in the budget and less time to DIY, we would have upgraded to a professional photobooth.
@Miss Waffle: You definitely can! I think it’s worth the payoff.
@Miss Tartlet: Thanks! The remote makes it really easy.
@beautifulkastrofie: I can completely understand not wanting to sacrifice your Rebel. (Mine’s older and the only acceptable digital camera in our house.) Mrs. Lemon’s post that went up later today used a Canon Powershot. http://www.weddingbee.com/2011/03/02/diy-photo-booth-instructions/
Thanks for such an in depth explanation! I’ve always wondered about the set up for a diy photobooth!
I would suggest you skip the hassle and have more fun in a “real” booth. Get a professional one that will not look like a DIY at your wedding. http://www.princetonphotobooths.com or http://www.snapshotzphotobooth.com
@organicgal: LOL-ing really hard right now!! (Mr. P came running because he wanted to know what was so funny.)
Mrs. Pain au Chocolat, Wilmington, DE Age and Occupation: 29, Realtor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Realtor Engagement Date: November 21, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2011 Venue: Greenville Country Club About Me: An ENFJ with an artistic streak who loves backgammon, sailing, graphic design, and sleeping in. Travel (near or far), good wine, and tasty food makes my heart sing. I'm a compulsive list-maker who lives to plan and organize. Mr. P and I have lived together for 4 years, all the while renovating our city townhome bit by bit. We're planning a whimsical, Anthropologie-inspired garden wedding in June 2011.
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