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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Wedding DJ's - Who has a photo booth? - Page: 1

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Not VDJ related but just wondering how many of you wedding DJ's have or offer a photo booth to your clients? What type do you have and how often do your clients pay for the extra option?
 
Posted Fri 03 Jun 16 @ 12:04 pm
I don't believe this... unbelieveable, you do mind reading as well!

I have sent you pm.
 
Huh???
 
All become clear when you read the pm, if I can help, let me know.
 
If your a dj with his head screwed on, you have hit the nail on the head, lol. It's absolutely the way to go nowadays for the mobile/wedding dj, you got to diversify and not let the client go looking elsewhere for a service when you can give them what they want with a combination of services that actually doesn't take up much room transportation wise for a dj operator.

As a party jock I have seen many an operator come into a venue and set up their Photobooths and more often than not they are making a hell of a lot more money then me, oh the irony, lol.

So here is my take and experience of photobooths, usually constructed of some type of metal, most cases aluminum, what ever system you get be it either twist and lock or the allan key type, tools will be involved. And have you seen the size of the completed unit, you couldn't get more than two into the booth never mind swing a cat for a group photo.

First of all, you got to find a way of transporting this mass of metal that looks like it came from Ikea into a vehicle to the venue, unload it and then build the frame, once that is complete you have then got to start adding the side panels to the frame, now after the venue stops looking like a building site, you can wipe the sweat off your brow take a look at your watch and realise it has just taken you about an hour to get this far, then you remember you got to do the whole lot again at the end of your shift this time in reverse. Wow, yeah right... happy days! Now I know why they are charging more, lol.

Usual problem I see with this system is you more often than not you only get the "head shot" with these type of booths.

Another way you can do it is build your own, in most cases guys and lets be honest, no matter how much we try it is still going to look amateurish no matter how thick those rose tinted glasses are.

Without doubt, the venue will also look like a building site at the beginning and at the end of the night, not the impression you want to be giving to potential clients or the venue. Still if budgets are tight, go the diy route and as quick as you can take every single penny you have made from the diy photobooth and invest in a professional set up.

And the last word from me on investing in a photobooth, in the perceived general publics eye of a photobooth it is an oval or rectangular shape that can seat or stand a couple of people while they get a photo of themselves together and, thats going to cost you big time. The clever way to do it and that's to go out and buy yourself an inflatable booth at a fraction of the cost... It is the way to go, you can't look more professional than walking into a building and setting up one of these ultra modern units.

Inflatable booths come in all shapes and sizes and colours, cube's, octogons, igloos, in fact whatever shape you want it can be made, a standard 2.5metre cube will fit in a box or holdall not much bigger than fifteen inches square.

Throw it in your boot, get to the venue, find a place with a nearby plug and in less than 2 minutes to inflate you have a fully functional booth with led lighting built into the walls ready waiting for your first clients to step into it and party, not just one or two either, get a whole gang in there and party with full length shots. Now how professional will that look like to the management of the venue and your client, job done, it's a good un'... repeat bookings, thank you very much.

Just like me these booths just takes a few seconds to deflate as well... rofl.
 
Been running one a couple of years now.
Its best to have an attendant, otherwise props disappear and if a problem arises you need to be able to deal with it and you can't just walk away from the mixer.

Honestly its more about the quality of the gear to be honest, ie: good camera and printer.
To do it right, figure about $8k when its all said and done.

Contact Steve, he'll treat you right.

http://www.atlantaphotobooth.com/
 
Like Tayla, I was sick of telling clients I didn't have a photo booth available and then have to see all the money I didn't get while I DJ the event for less $$ than the photo booth guy gets.
Added the booth less than a year ago, and have my daughters run it... They love it, they learn the value of working and how to deal with customers, and the money stays in the family :)
I got mine from http://www.inventivephotobooth.com/ and very pleased not only with the booth, but also with Brian Krause's personal service. It looks like it takes an hour to setup, but after the first couple times, it's just about 20 minutes.
 
Now this is what I'm talking about... compared to the old style unpack and build systems.

In a galaxy far far away, two workers in a factory test out the latest photobooth off the production line before being shipped out to a customer... watch just how long it takes to be ready for work, you might miss it, so here's the answer 1 minute 18 seconds, enough time to work up a thirst!



If anyone is interested in one of these or a totally different size or shape, give me a shout, I know someone that can help and they ship world wide.

I've seen what these are selling for on a few sites in the US and you will be paying no where as near as much!

And the price will be discounted for VDJ users.

EDIT

Forgot to add, leds have a host of functions you can set them at.
 
I've had one since August. I do a lot of contracting for my friend, because I just don't do the social media thing, and he does. All I do is show up, and get paid. I did a big wedding last week and needed my house mate to help with his truck. Most of the big stuff fit in my van including 3 Mackie 450, Mackie 15 sub, 2 Denon 6000, photo booth, 2 7ft truss w plates, 2 50in TVs, lighting, dry ice machine, table, computers. He had the props, giveaways, hand truck, 2 moving heads, and assorted stuff. He and his daughter ran my booth. She usually runs it when I DJ. The booth keeps me working, but I still DJ 3 nights in a club, and one night in a health club.
 
Yep, Booths are all the rage over here too.
I just recently did a gig and the client was surprised to find out that I didn't offer the service, odd time we live in that the DJ also doubles as the photography service.

I don't have the cash at the moment to buy a full setup but it does look like 'if you don't have a booth, you're not a real DJ' will be the next thing for mobile DJ's...
 
freakygeez wrote :
Yep, Booths are all the rage over here too.
I don't have the cash at the moment to buy a full setup but it does look like 'if you don't have a booth, you're not a real DJ' will be the next thing for mobile DJ's...


It's not so much that as it is that so many mobile businesses now offer it as an option to help set them apart from competitors. Some clients like booking one company to do it all. Slo-Mo video booths are becoming a big rage now too, so even if you have a photo booth to offer clients, you still might be behind the times if you dont have the option to do video.
 
Tayla, with the blow up booth, how is the photography being handled? Just a webcam to a PC, or is there something more professional going on?
 
No, you put the machine and props inside the booth, and they instigate the session. These booths are typically 8 to 10 feet tall, so are limited in the space they will function. It is also easier to use a lollipop machine inside, but you can use a flight case machine also.
 
A Man and His Music wrote :
No, you put the machine and props inside the booth, and they instigate the session. These booths are typically 8 to 10 feet tall, so are limited in the space they will function. It is also easier to use a lollipop machine inside, but you can use a flight case machine also.


Thanks

Is there enough structure to support a green screen or backdrop?
 
No, you would still have to use pipe and drape. There may be some kind of hooks in there to hang drapes that I'm unaware of. I guess if you put the back wall up against a wall, it may work. Remember, these a just air filled, and will move if the clients lean on them. My friend had a blow up wall that you could put your own up lights in. The lights they have in most only light up the bottom 3rd.
 
We hire booths, fairy light backdrops, battery PAd etc. A little package deal often secures a booking.
 
A lot of my stuff is outdoors. So I am also toying with using my EZ-Up. That would give me some framing to hang from. As well as other locations to mount wireless flashes. I've toyed with the booth option for a while. This thread has pulled me down the rabbit hole.
 
I've never DJ'ed or been to a wedding with a photo booth here in Europe...

What's the purpose? Is it for the couple, for all the guests or just for the children, or?
 
klausmogensen wrote :
I've never DJ'ed or been to a wedding with a photo booth here in Europe...

What's the purpose? Is it for the couple, for all the guests or just for the children, or?


I agree. Never seen or heard of it. Normally a photographer is on spot entire day and evening taking care of the shooting so a booth should be his problem I guess.
 
The booth has gotten pretty popular here in the states. They are for everyone and anyone to go up as an individual or a group. They are not meant to replace the photographer, but to allow guests to add personal sentiment to the event. It used to be popular for disposable cameras to be placed at the tables during the reception. Then there were temporary websites that people could upload cell phone pics. Now, booths with props.
 
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