How To Create A DIY Photo Booth​ [With Ideas]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and a DIY photo booth helps you make lasting memories with your loved ones, capturing celebrations and moments in time. According to research by Gal Zauberman, a professor at Yale’s School of Management, taking photos makes happy experiences even more enjoyable. So follow the prof's lead and set up your own DIY photo booth. It's one of the easiest DIY projects, and you can customize it for all occasions — from holiday festivities to randomly thrown together celebrations.

Maybe the biggest thing holding you back is how much it costs to build a photo booth. Don't fret about that, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to creating an affordable DIY photo booth, including the materials you’ll need, a ballpark cost and some potential themes to inspire you. Whether you need ideas for your wedding or to celebrate Halloween in spooky style, these photo booth backdrop ideas will be the talk of the party.

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• How Can I Make My Own Photo Booth?
• Step-By-Step Guide On How To Build A DIY Photo Booth
• DIY Photo Booth Ideas
• Learn Photography Essentials From The Pros

How Can I Make My Own Photo Booth?

A DIY photo booth can be a unique addition to your housewarming party ideas or any other simple occasion you want to make extra special, even corporate events. You can use a DIY photo booth at virtually any gathering, and they make the experience more fun for everyone. That being said, there are some key ideas that you'll need to understand before you get started. So let's answer the most important question first, how much does it actually cost to build a simple photo booth?

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Photo Booth?

The cost of a DIY photo booth can range from several hundred dollars to $8,000 or more, depending on the equipment you use. A basic iPhone or iPad setup will be the cheapest option, especially because you probably already have one.

Most photo booth software, which lets you professionally capture and edit your photos, is less than $100 per month. But that’s totally optional because you can also just use free software like Canva. All you really need for a DIY photo booth is lighting, props, and an enclosure. Altogether, this can usually cost $100-$500. But again, it could also be free (or very close to free) if you pull up those sleeves and get to work. You can use an old cardboard box as your booth, get some items that are lying around in your closet or from Dollar Tree, and even create your own makeshift tripod.

For those who want to spend some bucks on their DIY photo booth, for example, the same setup using a DSLR camera instead of an iPad, it will cost you roughly $2,500-$3,000. This will depend on whether you purchase your own DSLR camera or a cheaper camera or if you hire one for the celebration. This assumes you don’t already have a professional camera; if you do, you’ll only need to pay for software and the DIY photo booth itself.

Costs start to skyrocket when you add in high-tech elements like mirrorless cameras, green screens, dye-sublimation printers and 360 booths. But if you’re okay with a simple DIY photo booth, you can get away with spending much less. And we're focusing on DIY photo booths in this article, not professional ones. So, in the end, it could cost a few dollars for a truly DIY photo booth, or up to around $3,000 for something a little more legit. It all depends on your budget and how much you're willing to thrift flip. 

What Equipment Do I Need To Make A DIY Photo Booth?

To make a DIY photo booth, you’ll need:

• A phone, tablet, or DSLR camera
• A tripod
• Good lighting (ring, LED or flash)
• A backdrop/photo wall
• Themed props
• DIY photo booth software (optional)
• A printer (optional, if you want your photos right away)

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Build A DIY Photo Booth

Step 1: Choose a Theme

The first step in building a DIY photo booth is also the most fun: choosing a theme. That part is already decided for you when it comes to holiday parties, but you have more flexibility with, say, wedding photo booth ideas. We’ve included some DIY photo booth ideas below if you need inspiration. Here are some additional wedding themes and theme party ideas for you.

Step 2: Find the Perfect Spot

Once you have the vision for your DIY photo booth, it’s time to determine how much space you’ll need and where to set it up. The ideal location is in a corner or side room, easily accessible to guests but far enough from the main party area that no one feels like they’re being watched. 

Step 3: Set Up the Camera

Now that you’ve sifted through photo booth backdrop ideas and found a theme you like, and you know where you’ll put your DIY photo booth, you can set up the camera. If you’re using an iPhone, iPad or DSLR camera, mount it on a tripod. Guests can take turns snapping photos of each other during the party, or you can invest in a remote-controlled setup. For a Polaroid or selfie stick, place it next to the booth for guests to take their own photos. 

An optional idea is to leave a note or set of instructions for the guests on how to take a photo. This is a precaution so that they don't fiddle with the settings or mess up your framing. Notes like "The camera is set to a 10-second timer," or "Please do not turn the tripod, as this will change the position of the camera," or simple but effective.  

Step 4: Offer Props and Costumes

A fun backdrop is great, but props and costumes are really what make a DIY photo booth memorable. The specific items will depend on your chosen theme, but generally, the sillier, the better. Hats, glasses, over-the-top accessories — it’s all fair game for a DIY photo booth. 

Step 5: Say Cheese!

Once your DIY photo booth is all set up, there’s only one thing left to do: smile for the camera. If you’re using a Polaroid or photo printer, everyone can take their pictures home after the party and put them into their own DIY picture frames. Otherwise, send the photos via text or email, or upload them to a shared drive or social media channel for everyone to download and use as they wish. These aren’t just photos; they’re core memories that you and your guests will look back on for years to come.

DIY Photo Booth Ideas

Now that you know how to set up a DIY photo booth and what to include, as promised, we have a few ideas to kickstart your pretty little booth. If you don't like any of the ideas below, just consider your personality: what drives you, what are you passionate about, what are your interests. A Star Wars or Taylor Swift theme would most likely be pretty great. 

1. Tropical Backdrop

Whether you need graduation party ideas or you just want a fun summer backdrop photo booth, you can’t go wrong with a tropical theme. Create a greenery wall with faux leaves and tropical flowers, and add cutouts of flamingos, pineapples, coconuts and other themed elements. As for props, hula skirts and leis are classic choices. 

2. Personalized Picture Frame

A personalized picture frame is a classic DIY photo booth idea. What is a personalized picture frame, though? It's basically creating a larger-than-life Polaroid frame cut out. You know, that white bit around the image. Similar to an Instagram picture frame. You can make these oversized frames out of cardboard and customize them for any occasion, from Christmas parties to wedding decoration ideas. The person (or people) getting their picture taken stands inside the frame, holding it up on either side. 

3. Balloon Wall

Balloon walls are iconic photo booth backdrop ideas because they work for any event. All you have to do is change up the colors. For example, black, white and gold for a New Year’s Eve party, or red and green for Christmas.

4. Floral DIY Photo Booth

A floral DIY photo booth is one of the most popular, Instagram-worthy backdrop photo booth ideas. Attach artificial flowers of your choice to a large wire grid, and add a neon sign for extra pizzazz. Flower headbands would make a great accessory.

5. Pumpkin Patch

This is a classic when it comes to Halloween of Fall photo booth ideas. Pumpkins, scarecrows and hay bales for sitting create a festive scene perfect for families and couples who are about to venture into the Fall or Spooky season.

6. Fang-Tastic Photo Booth

For this simple DIY photo booth, stick bat decals on the wall above a chair or sofa. Props like plastic vampire fangs and fake blood set the scene for one of the most spooktacular Halloween photo booth ideas. Serve your best and bloodiest Halloween cocktails to get your guests in the spooky mood. 

7. Take an ‘Elfie’

Elf hats and shoes, pointy ears and striped socks create a fun DIY photo booth idea, especially if you and your guests are of the elvin pursuation. We're not just talking about Elf on the Shelf idea, fans of fantasy and sci-fi will jump right in doing their best Lord of the Rings impressions. 

8. Ugly Sweater DIY Photo Booth

If you're hosting an ugly sweater party for Christmas, then this is a no-brainer DIY photo booth idea. Even if it's noyt necessarily ugly sweater themed, you can lay out some sweaters for guests to wear, along with festive props like Santa hats and reindeer antlers for even more holiday cheer. Serve some beautifully crafted Christmas cookies as edible props. 

9. AI-Generated Photo Booth

Can’t decide on a theme for your DIY photo booth? Download a photo booth software and let everyone pick their own! Photo booth software transforms smartphones, tablets and cameras into virtual photo booths, offering custom templates, filters, virtual props, photo booth backdrop ideas and instant sharing. 

10. Silly Photo Booth

If you need an all-purpose DIY photo booth idea, keep the setup simple and rely on funny props to make a statement: top hats, big sunglasses, lips and mustaches on a stick. You can also add speech bubbles with pre-scripted text or leave them blank and use a white marke and eraser so that the guests can write anything they want. 

Learn Photography Essentials From The Pros

The last thing you want is for all the time and effort you put into setting up your DIY photo booth to go to waste because of subpar photos. Calling in professional photographers ensures you get the most out of your DIY photo booth, as they’re experts in lighting, framing and other key elements of high-quality photo-taking. Whether you plan to share your photos on social media or print them out to display, photography classes in Atlanta, Boston, NYC or anywhere around the country can turn bland still images into vibrant cherished memories. 

Now that you know how to make a DIY photo booth and you have plenty of theme inspiration, you’re ready to plan your event. A DIY photo booth is a unique way to bring people together and commemorate special occasions that will live on in your hearts forever. 

For even more fun DIY ideas, check out other artsy experiences happening on Classpop!