If you’re looking to rent a photo booth for an event, there are several things to keep in mind. These include what kind of help you need with the setup and tear down of the booth, your expectations for the quality of photos people will take, and what the equipment is like. If you plan on getting prints from your photo company, they must be high-quality prints that look straight out of a professional lab.
The rise of photo booth rental in Sydney has been nothing short of meteoric.
According to the Australian Photo Booth Association (APBA), more than 150 photo booth rental companies are now operating in Sydney, up from just 25 in 2012. The APBA also estimates that these companies employ more than 1,000 people and have an annual turnover of nearly AU$ 250 million.
How much help do you need?
When renting one, the most crucial question is: How much help do you need?
Hiring an attendant might be overkill and unnecessary if you’re planning on working the booth yourself with no one helping. If your event requires multiple attendants or someone operating the equipment and doing setup work, then renting an attendant is necessary.
What are your expectations?
Before you start looking at these booths, make sure to set a budget. While they can be pricey, it’s best to know how much you want to spend, so you know the price tag. You should also consider how many people will use the booth and what kind of event it is: a wedding or birthday party? Also, think about how long it needs to last and how many photos you need to be printed.
What is the quality of the photos?
In regards to the quality of photos, you should look for the following:
- Resolution – The higher a photo’s resolution, the better it will look when printed out. A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 300 dpi (dots per inch).
- File Format – Most will give JPEGs and PNGs as digital copies. If they don’t offer both file types, ask them why not.
- Print Quality – Again, this depends on your camera’s high quality. However, most modern DSLRs can take great shots at 8×10 or larger sizes.
Is the equipment reliable?
A reliable photo booth rental in Sydney will take care of their equipment to ensure their machines’ safety and longevity. You should be able to find information on a manufacturer’s website about known issues with the equipment, but if there are none, it’s still worth asking your potential vendor:
- How often does your company service them?
- What kind of warranty do you offer? Is it transferable? (If so, you’ll want to know whether or not this will be included in your contract.)
- What maintenance costs are expected to pay for my rental period? You should never have an unexpected bill at the end of your event!
What are your goals?
The first thing you should do is determine your goals while visiting one. Do you want it to be a fun addition to your wedding, or do you want it to be an integral component of the event? Will guests share their photos on social media, or are they only for personal use? Do you have any specific requirements in terms of design and style that need to be met?
Consider what photos would come from the booth. Do you want every customer at your wedding in front of it? Or will one big group shot be taken as everyone gets into their outfits before heading into town for dinner?
If you can keep all of these points in mind when looking for your next rental, it will be well worth the effort. You’ll get great images and memories that will last a lifetime and be a fantastic event experience for your guests.