The photos are an important part of every celebration because they remind us later of the wonderful time spent with family or friends. With a photo box, guests can take great photos themselves at every party, without the presence of a photographer. The so-called photo booth usually contains a camera and a tablet, which are placed in a box. Photo booths can be rented for various events, but at an expensive price. If you already have a good camera, you can build a photo box yourself and save yourself some money. What exactly is needed and many helpful tips can be found in the article.
What is a photo box?
The photo box is a great thing, especially at weddings and parties. This allows you to take funny photos and view them directly on the tablet screen. Some photo boxes are even designed with a built-in printer that prints the photos immediately. Others have special memory cards with an online connection from which the photos can be shared directly into a Dropbox. There are other equipment variants with which you can take professional photos yourself. A built-in or external flash, for example, is needed if thePhoto Boothused for photos in dark rooms. A reflex umbrella ensures the optimal lighting conditions and a radio trigger allows you to take photos from a certain distance.
And how does it actually work? In order to be able to view the images on the screen immediately after they have been taken, the camera is connected to a tablet. The easiest way to do this is with a WiFi memory card, which transfers the photos directly to the tablet via WiFi. In addition to the memory card, you need special software for the tablet that controls the great functions of the photo booth. We discuss the different variants below.
What do you need for this?
If you want to build a photo booth yourself, you definitely need good technology anda suitable materialfor the housing. The easiest way to build the box is out of wood. For this purpose, plywood panels are used, which are assembled using hinges and screws. To secure the technology in the photo box, suitable shelves are installed.
As a technology, a good camera is the most important challenge for successful photos with good quality. The best results are achieved with a professional camera. The Photo Booth works with both Android tablets and iPads. The only important thing is that you find suitable software and the WiFi works.
The first thing you should do is gather all the necessary materials and make a plan. The photo box works best in a square shape, but you can also experiment with the design. Alternatively, you can use a ready-made wooden box and simply adapt it as a photo booth. With a creative design you can make your photo box an eye-catcher at any party. This Instagram Photo Booth is a good example of playful design.
First, make a list of materials that will help you when shopping at the hardware store. If you would like to build the box out of wood, we recommend plywood. This makes it easier to work with, even if you don't have much experience. We have created an example list for you, which may vary depending on the design and size of the box you choose. You can build the photo box yourself, which is why we have omitted any precise information.
Materials for building your own photo box out of wood:
- plywood panels
- Hinges
- screws
- Kantholz
- felt
- Wooden angle strip
Tools required:
- drill
- Hole saw
- wood drill
- Jigsaw
- wooden file
If you have no experience with sawing wood, you can have the plywood sheets cut to the desired sizes at a hardware store for free. This will make your task much easier, but you will need to determine the exact sizes in advance.
Once you have collected all the materials, construction begins. Start with the markings for the holes first. First you need a round hole for the lens. To do this you need the exact diameter of the lens, whereby the hole should be at least 1 cm wider. You also need a cutout for the tablet, which can be below or above the lens. Here again measure the size of the tablet and adjust the recess to it. Mark the exact locations for the holes with a pencil and saw according to the marks.
In order to install the technology, it needs a door. You decide for yourself whether on the front, back or side. This is where the hinges come into play. You should design the door in such a way that you can then install the interior most easily. If you want to secure your technology at a party or other event, you can design the door with a lock. So you can enjoy the party without any worries.
Of course, the holders for the tablet and camera are another important part of the construction. They ensure that the technology in the box is not damaged when it is moved. The camera mount may vary depending on the model and size of the camera, so you should adjust it accordingly. You can again use a sheet of plywood and saw a corresponding recess. The only important thing is that the camera is stationary in it.
A suitable tablet holder is required so that the tablet can be securely and practically attached to the front of the box. You can build these yourself out of wood using an angle strip, or use aluminum profiles for the purpose. We recommend that you insulate the holder with felt, for example, so that there are no scratches on the tablet housing.
In order to be able to take lots of photos, the camera and the tablet need power. That's why you definitely need a power strip if you build a photo box yourself. It is placed in the box and ensures a permanent supply of electricity. The power supplies for the tablet and camera are plugged into it so that the battery is always full. If you want and there is enough space, you can build a kind of electrical box in it. The cables, power supplies and the power strip can be neatly stored there.
Design an individual case
The wooden photo box can be painted and varnished as desired to create a great design. You can engrave the wood or add decorations and decorate your own photo booth however you like. You can create a tag with general information such as your name, email and cell phone number in case the box is lost.
Although wood is the most commonly used material to build your own photo box, you can also use alternative materials. Plexiglass can be used to build a photo box with a high-quality design, but at a more expensive price. However, the Plexiglas can be cut to size using laser cutting and designed completely individually.
If you are looking for cheap ideas for building the photo box, then you can also use cardboard. This makes working much easier, but the resulting photo booth is not as stable as one made of wood. If you secure the technology in the box well and attach the photo box firmly to a tripod, then you don't need to worry about it. A photo booth made of cardboard can be decorated and glued on to create a unique design.
Required technology
Logically, technology plays the most important role. In order for the self-made photo booth to produce professional photos, you definitely need a good camera - ideally an SLR camera. The make and model are not that important in this case as long as the camera can take good photos. It doesn't matter whether it's an iPad or an Android tablet, you can find suitable software for both. Here you will find a list of the most important technical components of the photo box.
Necessary technology for the Photo Booth Box:
- SLR camera with lens, SD card slot and external power supply
- Tablet with power supply
- Photobox software
- Wi-Fi memory card
- external flash
- Radio trigger for flash and camera
- Tripods
- WLAN printer (optional)
- Reflexschirm (optional)
- Power strip (at least 3-fold)
Photobox software
We have already discussed the camera and tablet for the Photo Booth Box. Depending on the operating system, different software is available for the photo box. The ShutterSnitch app is recommended for the iPad, as it has many useful functions. You can even send the photos at the same time via WiFi and create a password so that guests can view the photos but not delete them.
On an Android tablet, you can use the corresponding app on the memory card to view and share the photos. To do this, the app is installed on the tablet beforehand and the necessary settings are made in advance. This makes later use of the photo booth easier. The procedure is usually explained in the operating instructions provided.
Do you absolutely need a flash?
If you want to build a photo booth yourself for outdoor events, you probably don't need a flash in daylight. However, if the photo booth is used in a room or in the evening, the photos simply cannot be taken without the flash. However, since the flash cannot be in the box, you can use an external flash and mount it on a tripod.
Photo booth with remote shutter
With a remote shutter release or radio trigger, guests are able to take photos of themselves. For photos from a greater distance from the box, a cable with a length of around 5 meters is recommended. With the radio trigger, on the other hand, no cable is used, but guests can accidentally take the control with them or even lose it.
With or without a printer?You can also build a great photo box yourself with a printer that prints the photos immediately after they are taken. Some people think this additional equipment is great, but others don't because the printer takes up even more space and of course makes the whole project more expensive. The paper photos are certainly a great gift at a wedding or other party, but you have to think about whether the investment is worth it. Anyway, most photos these days are taken on cell phones and tablets, so a printer is certainly not a must.
Use at various events
Once you're done with the project, the real fun can begin. A successful photo booth can be used at all kinds of events and provides fun souvenir photos. Photo boxes are particularly popular at weddings and contribute to the good mood of the guests. If the photo booth will be used by many people, you should make it as easy to use as possible so that everyone can use it easily. All settings should be done before the party so that there are no nerves or problems during the actual celebration.
Background and props
In addition to actually building the photo box, you should also think about a suitable background and fun props. They can be coordinated with the theme of the party or event and be as creative as possible. You can use an existing wall in the room in question as a background if it looks good. Alternatively, you can make a nice decoration that is attached to the wall for photos.
Props are considered an important part of the photo box and ensure really fun pictures for every occasion. Photo props are various motifs that are attached to a wooden stick and held in front of the face for the photo. From red Santa hats and white beards for Christmas, to bunny ears for Easter, to funny glasses and wigs for birthdays - the possibilities are endless. You can make the party props yourself or order them cheaply online.
The photo box for the wedding
If you would like to build a photo box yourself for your wedding, then we hope that you found our tips and ideas helpful. Darker backgrounds are particularly recommended for weddings in order to take high-contrast photos. A colorful background with balloons or a colorful mix of tissue paper works just as well. For outdoor weddings, backgrounds with flowers or greenery are suitable, which conjure up a fresh atmosphere in the photos.
Apart from the funny paper props, everything else can be used for the photos. Various hats, signs with funny lettering, beards, wigs, sunglasses, picture frames, guitars, etc. result in unforgettable souvenir photos. Let your creativity run wild and prepare lots of atmospheric party props for the wedding.
