Photo booth hire in summer: can it go outdoors?

A photo booth can go outdoors at your summer party, but only if fully sheltered: in a marquee or under a lean-to or canopy, away from rain, moisture and direct sunlight. If you sort out that shelter in advance, a photo booth suits a garden party or summer wedding just as well as a party in a hall. The Mirrorbooth is the exception, as it can never go outdoors.

Why does a photo booth need shelter outdoors?

The booth contains delicate equipment: a reflex camera, a touchscreen and a professional photo printer. Rain and moisture don't belong anywhere near it, and that includes morning dew or a shower that blows in. Direct sunlight causes a different problem, because the screen becomes hard to read and you get harsh shadows on your photos.

What shelter is good enough?

Where is the best place for the photo booth?

It's best to picture a good spot at the time of day when your party will be at its busiest. These points will help:

• Follow the sun. What's in the shade at midday can be in low sun by evening. Check beforehand how the light moves across your grounds.
• Choose a dry, level surface. A booth needs to stand firmly. A terrace or marquee floor is better than damp grass.
• Think about power. We need a power socket. Keep the socket and the cable dry as well.
• Keep the spot accessible. The booth needs to be easy to reach, but not in the way. We also need easy access and parking or a loading area for delivery.
• Plan for the evening. If your party continues after sunset, make sure there's enough lighting around the booth, so guests can see the props and the screen clearly.
• Check the internet. Sharing photos via a QR code requires internet. Your wifi often won't reach that far into a garden or field, and the internet anywhere option (€9) solves that.

If your party is going to run late, arrange a collection time in advance. If you don't want to leave the booth outdoors all night, a night-time collection costs €60 between midnight and 1am or €90 between 1am and 7am. All the rates are listed under the extra options.

What makes a photo booth fun at a spring or summer wedding?

Long days and warm evenings naturally draw guests outside, and a booth in the marquee keeps the atmosphere going there. You can choose a theme that suits your wedding, such as a romantic floral backdrop or a beach theme. That's possible with a physical backdrop (€50) or with Care-Free with green screen (€575). Take a look at the available backdrops to see what fits.

The photo strips guests take home get a layout with your own design, so they still point back to that day years later. You'll find more ideas on our page about a photo booth at your wedding.

Does a photo booth work at a summer bar or garden party?

Yes, and often precisely because of the atmosphere. At a garden party, the booth is an activity for all ages, because everyone enjoys posing with props. While guests wait their turn, they laugh at other people's photos and dream up their own pose.

If you run a summer bar, a photo booth is also a way to entertain customers and gain visibility. Customers share their photo on social media via the QR code, and with your logo on the strip, everyone takes your business home with them.

How do you give the booth a summery feel?

Adapt the backdrop and the props to your theme. Our props already include hats, wigs, boas and glasses, and you can easily add your own summery accessories such as sunglasses or flower crowns. If you opt for prints, the layout of your strips can follow the same colour palette as your decoration.