How to Set Up a Photo Booth That Guests Actually Want to Use

hello413914
Jul 15, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Planning a photo booth for your Asheville wedding, party, or corporate event? Here’s how to do it right.

At Indulge Images, we know a photo booth isn’t just a side activity; it’s a magnet for smiles, laughs, and genuine connection. Whether you’re planning a wedding in the mountains, a milestone birthday, or a polished corporate event in Asheville, the goal is the same: give your guests something they’ll talk about long after the lights come down.

But making a photo booth work well takes more than dropping a camera on a tripod. It’s about thoughtful setup, smooth operation, and intentional design that matches the mood of your event.

If you’re looking to rent or DIY a photo booth in Asheville, these are the steps we use to create an experience guests love.

1. Thoughtful Planning and Preparation

Setting up a great photo booth starts with planning. Trust us: your future self (and your guests) will thank you.

Here’s what we do for every booth we set up:

Scout the venue. Don’t just pick an empty corner, think about where guests naturally gather. You want the booth to be accessible but not in the way of dinner service or dancing.
Review the event schedule. Make sure setup and teardown don’t clash with speeches, ceremonies, or key moments.
Check your gear early. Printers, cameras, lights, and software test it all before the big day so you’re not sweating over error messages while guests wait.

A bit of preparation upfront avoids hiccups later and shows your guests you care about their experience.

2. Choosing Backdrops and Props That Fit Your Event

Props and backdrops aren’t just decorations—they set the vibe.

For weddings, think elegant florals or classic drapery. For corporate events, we offer branded step-and-repeats or sleek modern designs. For parties? Sequins, neon, rustic wood—the sky’s the limit.

Props are where guests get playful. Fun glasses, feather boas, themed signs—they’re conversation starters and icebreakers.

Here at Indulge Images, we always customize our photo booth rental packages to match your event’s theme. The right backdrop and props aren’t just pretty—they’re what make people want to share their photos on social media and keep prints on their fridge for years.

Pro tip: Bold colors, clear branding, and well-lit designs photograph best.

Guests enjoy our enchanted forest photo booth backdrop with lush plants and twinkling lights, creating a warm, inviting scene for Asheville events.

3. Lighting That Flatters, Not Flusters

Good lighting is essential. Ever seen washed-out, harsh, or shadowy booth photos? We have—and we don’t want that for you.

Here’s how to keep guests looking their best:

Avoid harsh shadows. We use a three-point lighting setup with diffused light to keep faces clear and bright.
Bring adjustable LEDs. This lets us tweak brightness and color temperature to match the venue.
Test on site. Every space is different. Doing a test run before guests arrive is non-negotiable.

Our approach is simple: make your guests look fantastic so they want to keep their photos.

4. Creating an Inviting, Fun Guest Experience

The booth isn’t just a backdrop. It’s an experience.

We don’t just park the booth and disappear—we bring an experienced, friendly attendant to help guests, suggest poses, and keep things moving.

Other tips:

Invite them in. A sign or announcement helps shy guests feel welcome.
Add games or challenges. Think “silly face contests” or themed poses to keep energy up.
Plan the flow. Make sure guests know where to get prints or how to share digitally.

We want everyone—from grandparents to kids—to feel comfortable jumping in. The result? Tons of laughter, great photos, and happy guests.

St. Patrick’s Day photo booth group shot with lush plants and twinkle-light forest backdrop, adding a festive touch to Asheville events.

5. Your Asheville Event Deserves More Than Just a Camera in the Corner

At Indulge Images, we believe every photo booth should be designed around your event, not a cookie-cutter template.

We work with wedding planners, corporate event coordinators, and families across Asheville and Western North Carolina to create booths that:

Match your theme, entertain your guests, provide instant, high-quality prints, include easy social media sharing, and capture memories people actually want to keep

Because it’s not about us. It’s about you, your guests, and making sure the good times don’t fade when the music stops.