Easy DIY Photo Booth: Perfect for Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Weddings & More

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Every mama wants to make her child’s birthday party or friend’s baby shower extra special. So we spend hours on decorations, cute party favors, food, and those little details that will make it “Pinterest worthy.” I’m guilty of being “that” party planner. How about you?

I’ve seen photo booths all over party planning sites for years, and while I’d love to re-create the extraordinary ones I see on Pinterest and Kara’s Party Ideas, the reality is I just don’t have the time.

I tried a small-scale version of a photo booth at my daughter’s birthday party last month. It was so easy, and not only did it provide quality entertainment for our guests, but the photos turned out priceless. So much more fun than posed photos!

4 Steps to a Perfect Photo Booth

Here’s what you need:

  • a photographer (or someone designated to be one!)
  • heavy cardstock
  • scissors and/or x-acto knife
  • bamboo skewers (or thin dowels)
  • glue gun (can use regular glue, too)
  • cute jar or vase
  • props: empty picture frames, funny hats, feather boas, sunglasses, etc., and something to hold them
  • background material (optional)

1. Determine Location

Determine the perfect place to set up your “booth.” Find an empty wall or hang some fabric or a colored sheet behind your spot.

2. Make Props – Glasses, Mustaches, Bow-ties, Etc.

Trace your funny glasses, mustaches, bowties, etc. I found a few mustache patterns online and just free-handed my glasses.

Cut out your shapes, then use the glue gun to attach the bamboo skewers to the back side of the shape.

Toss those cute little babies in a decorated jar or vase, tie a ribbon around it, and you’re good to go.

3. Make or Buy Props – Picture Frames

Buy different sized picture frames or create some with heavy posterboard. I found unfinished frames at Michael’s for $7.99 and painted them, but any frame works. A variety of sizes is recommended, but even one is sufficient for a fun effect. You can hang them from the ceiling with ribbons or have people just hold them.

I must say from experience, the frame is essential if you’re doing this for a baby shower! It makes such a cute pose to have mama and her sweet baby belly in the frame! And for summer events, check out these amazing setups. I especially love the orange and pink frames hung from trees.

4. Set Up Your Photo Booth

Wherever your picture perfect location is, grab a chair, sofa, cute side table, or whatever you have! I simply covered a chair with fabric and a bow, set it next to a little end table, and added visual interest with things from my daughter’s room. For another option, we used her bed with a pink comforter, pushed it up against the wall and added pillows across the back to make a “sofa.”

Find a basket, decorative box, or bin to hold all the hats, boas, bow-ties, and more when people aren’t using them.

Create a quick sign that says “Photo Booth” if needed, and get the party started!

Afterwards, use the photos as thank yous! Mail to your guests so they know how fun it was to have them as part of your special day!

Thanks to Photography by Rachel Marie

Thanks to Photography by Rachel Marie for making our photo booth perfect and capturing amazing memories from our birthday celebration! We couldn’t have been happier with our photos and the 10-foot long enchanted castle wall backdrop she prepared for our princess party.

I definitely recommend buying Rachel’s birthday party package for ANY party – photo booth or not – so you don’t have to even think about taking one photo! You’ve been there, right? The party is over, you’ve said goodbye to all the guests, and it hits you that you didn’t take one… single… picture. Contact Rachel and she’ll help you capture those priceless moments that Mommy is too busy to worry about!

Have you used a photo booth at a party before? What fun ideas have you seen out there? Leave a comment below!

6 COMMENTS

  1. I love Photography by Rachel Marie Birthday package! It is so great to not have to stress about taking pictures during the party. I also hired Rachel to take pictures at our old house before we moved. That was the single best decision we made when moving…now we have an amazing photo book of our kids in our first home.

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