Getting the most out of your Photo Booth

Tips for renting a photo booth at your wedding

Having a photo booth at your wedding is amazing! It will end up being what everyone talks about for years to come. Plus, you and your guests will have all the fabulous photos to remember the fun.

The first thing you want to consider when choosing which photo booth service to go with is your space. How much room to you have in your reception area? Traditional booths (like the ones at the mall and the State Fair) require less space and can usually be placed near the bar, in a corner, or out of the way. Traditional booths vary in size from 3ft x 3ft to much larger…if you’re short on space, speak with your photo booth vendor and talk about how much room they need. Make sure they include the room for any additional tables and props. Live photo booths (similar to a mini photo studio) usually take more space to set up—starting at 10ft x 10 ft. These types of booths do well along a wall, in a large hallway, or in a far corner.

The theme of your wedding will dictate the style of photo booth you decide on. Traditional booths offer nostalgic photo strips that everyone remembers. They are classy, elegant and everyone knows it’s a photo booth. Our traditional booths always generate two identical photo strips. Live photo booths offer a lot more variety. You can have different colored backgrounds that match your theme. Larger groups of family and friends can take their photo at the same time (plus when we’re printing your images each person can take home a copy). Because there is more room – there is more creativity
from guests in the photos.

The features that can be included with your photo booth rental will depend on your photo booth vendor. Here are the items you may want to make sure are included:

1.) Custom Album: We always include an album for the bride and groom. This is kind of like a photo sign in book. We use a duplicate photo and your guests assist in putting it together by making comments, signing, or giving newlywed advice. This album is usually the best part of the whole photo booth rental.

2.) Attendant: Having an attendant running the photo booth is very important. Inviting guests to take pictures, putting together the album, and being available for any unforeseen technical difficulty. A photo booth attendant should be dressed professionally. They should be friendly and outgoing.

3.) Photos are printed immediately. This may be a no-brainer, but a true photo booth will always print photos right on the spot. You should be able to use these photos as wedding favors and for your album.

4.) Additional features that can be included: Props (hats, glasses, boas etc), CD of all your images, custom logo to print on each photo, an exterior monitor to view what’s going on inside the booth (for the traditional style booths), having the exterior of the booth customized with your info or photos, photo strip holders, and magnets.

The best time to have your photo booth start is during the cocktail hour and run throughout the reception. This gives your guests the chance to have something to do while there is down time. If the cocktail hour and reception are too far apart – then having it running during the reception works great. Speak with your photo booth vendor to get the best time to start the photo booth. Typically the photo booth is set up early and the attendant comes at the appointed time to get it started. We don’t think you should be charged for this “waiting” time. Check to make sure you only pay for the running time of the booth.

The most memorable day of your life should include as many photos as possible. A photo booth is a great way for you to see how your guests enjoyed your wedding day.

For more tips, ideas, or to get pricing. Please contact Chris with A2Z Photobooths 480-289-0684
www.a2zPhotobooths.com

Photobooth at a Castle {Arizona Wedding Photobooths}

Saturday was amazing. The weather was wonderful. The lake looked fabulous. And the Castle was all decked out...yeah that's right...I was at a Castle. Although not your typical cold, damp and clammy kinda castle. This one was opulent, gorgeous, and a perfect venue for Laura and Mark's wedding. I was busy with the Photobooth throughout the entire wedding...otherwise I would have snapped a few shots of the decor, venue and overall awesomeness.
These are the few of the photobooth pictures...it was such a fun night!

The catering was provided by Thornager's on Kiltie Lane - Tim was in charge and he did a fabulous job! The catering staff and chef were so professional and efficient. I get to work with them again on November 11, 2011. I'll be back in Flagstaff for Emily & Joe's wedding.
Michael and Tara with Missing Frame Photography did the wedding photography - I can't wait to see the photos they post online!
But most (if not all) of the credit goes to Kim Duncan with KD Event Designs 928-863-0293. I was thrilled for a chance to work with Kim. Everything looked so amazing and she was great to work with. It's too bad the photobooth was so busy and I didn't get any of the decoratin photos...But I know that Michael got a bunch of good ones. And I can't complain too much - Laura and Mark's photobooth album turned out great.



It was a great wedding all around. Although I agree with the character Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert from Disney's Tangled "I could get used to this....yep, I'm already used to it". The Castle was amazing...

If you could get married at a Castle - would you??

Life

For many school has or is starting. I am even going back for another photography class! It has been a crazy summer. One would have thought that with a "slower" season we would have time to get some blogging done. Wrong!!! We have done a lot this summer with our Facebook page, trying to be social, http://www.facebook.com/A2ZPhotoBooths#! Thanks to all of you who are our fans! We did order some new booths! they have some cool new features we can offer. Unfortunately when they arrived they were damaged and we had to refuse them. Now we have to wait until September for replacements.

Jill Lauren Photography is taking off! http://jilllaurenphotography.com/ It is so much fun shooting events with my wife! She keeps reminding me that I get to take all the "fun" pictures because I am the second shooter. I would have to agree!

Such is life at A2Z Photo Booths!!

Ashley and Mark 5-21-2011

Once again we were at Villa Siena, love that place! This time we were there for Ashley and Mark. Congratulations guys! We started the photo booth at the cocktail hour in the Chianciano hall and then moved the booth over by the Firenze Ballroom. The guests loved having it there! The guests enjoyed all the props we provided, I even had to chase a couple down to get them back.
Here are a few pictures I took of their gorgeous wedding!

 

For some it is all about the props.

Amazing wedding dress!

Gorgeous!

Flowers were done by Blume.

I love this picture of the cake! (I know, it is only the shadow, but way cool.)

Kiley & Daniel - Photo Booth at Villa Siena

Villa Siena was so amazing last night! I can't even begin to describe how fabulous Kiley & Daniel's wedding reception was. The decorations were fabulous. The food was amazing. It was great seeing some of our favorite vendors out there.

The Photo booth was a big hit. With the reception outside in the courtyard, we set up along one side. Instead of a typical memory album - Kiley's mom made a memory board for the guests to add their photos and comments to. It was so unique and creative. We loved it!

Chris - running the Live Photo Booth Station

Too much fun with the Photo Booth

Instead of an album - Kiley's mom made a custom memory board for the photos.

Fabulous Idea!!!

The memory board filled up in no time

It's always fun to look at the pictures afterwards.

A few of the beautiful bridesmaids

Kiley & Daniel - Looking fabulous

Photo booths are for smooching!

Oh yeah....it was way too much fun!

Best Part of having a Photo Booth at your Wedding

When it's your 10 year wedding anniversary. And you get out your wedding album and sign-in book to nostalgically look back, are you going to have signatures on paper? Or will you have photos of your guests with congratulations, advice, and fun comments?

I've been asked a few times "What's the best part about having a photo booth?" I think I could answer that easily. The best part is the Album.


I want you to remember your wedding day and especially remember how much fun it was. When we create a wedding album for you (the bride and groom) we make sure that your guests have an opportunity to sign the album next to their photo. (and they get to take a duplicate photo home) I go out of my way to invite each of your guests to come and take photos in the photo booth (rarely are they reluctant to get in and most of the time they come back with more guests).

I could go on all day about how much I like the album. However these recent testimonials pretty much sum it all up:

"Thanks so much. We love our guest book! It was just what we wanted." Kristin S.

"We really appreciated the extra length you went to make sure we had a great album despite the small number of guests we had. You are awesome! Thanks!" Sara N.

"The photo booth was a fun addition to our wedding. The sign in book is super creative and a fun way to remember all of our guests." Carrie M.

"The Photo Station was a lot of fun, and receiving the guest book with all the pictures that night allowed us to read it before we left on our honeymoon. We would recommend A2Z PhotoBooth and their staff to anyone planning a wedding. Thanks for all the fun!" Michael B.

If I had it to do over again - I wish I'd of had a photo booth at my wedding. As it is, I only have signatures on paper when I get out our wedding album...I'll be getting it out on June 19th - our 13th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been 13 years. If feels like it was just last summer.

Time has flown...

I guess we have been having a ton of fun. I can't believe it has been over a month since I blogged. It has been busy. Went to Vegas to check out the New photo booths that are coming. There are some awesome new features, we can't wait to get the new booths over the summer!
I wanted to post some of my pictures for the photography class I am taking so here they are.

I just might get better than Jill.

Photo Class

We took a "field trip" to Mill Ave today for a project. We, the class, had no idea what the project was. Teacher showed up 20 minutes late, gave us the project with little explanation and then disappeared. So here are 25 students walking Mill taking pictures of random things, because none of us are sure what we are suppossed to be doing. Funny thing about it is that no one on Mill questioned what we were doing, guess it must be a common thing to have happen.
I did see some cool places to take some pictures for engagements, maybe I can get Jill down there and try it out. Played around with the camera settings, so now I need to download them and see what looks good.

Valentine's Day!

It is just a few days away....and the rumor is that there is something special coming! To get you ready for Valentine's Day I thought I would share a couple of links to get some information about why we celebrate Valentine's Day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day and http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day  Enjoy the reading!

Knowing your Vendors

Becoming a regular blogger is somewhat challenging. Surely everyone in the world has interesting things to talk about...right? well - I'm trying.

So today's topic: making friends with your vendors - (also known as) - knowing your vendors

There are some vendors that you needn't be best friends with - the florist, linens, decor people usually set up and leave. Even the cake lady is usually in and out. Their personality isn't something you have to deal with on the day of your wedding. (although they are probably very nice people and you would totally send them a Christmas card because you love them so much) Even the lady who sold you your wedding dress...she is not likely to be at your wedding...walking around and talking with you or your guests.

However, your DJ and Photographer are two very important vendors. Not only are they interacting with your guests...they are there for you.

Choosing a photographer and DJ should be an emotional decision. You need to LIKE them.

Yes, REALLY LIKE THEM!

If for any reason your DJ weirds you out...then chances are your guests will feel the same way.
If you and your photographer don't get along...then how do you imagine your pictures will look?

I would venture to state that the importance of meeting and knowing your photographer should be on the top of your To Do List. You should know her and feel comfortable with her. You should trust her judgment and feel no stress or worry about what your images will look like. She should make you feel amazing, beautiful, romantic and relaxed. You should be comfortable with her behind the camera.

Have you been to a boring wedding before? Were your friends boring people? Did the bride and groom intentionally tell everyone there that the reception would be dumb? Or was the DJ not quite up to par?
We've been to lots of weddings (lots and lots) - the difference between a boring wedding reception and an amazing wedding reception is all about the DJ. Meet with your DJ - ask to see video footage of him in action. You'll feel a whole lot better choosing someone that you LIKE and feel comfortable with then simply going with the first guy at the right price.

I know that budget is of the utmost importance while planning your wedding. But your budget shouldn't limit you to vendors that you don't like. Not only should you like them at their price. You should like them because you know them and trust them.