So you’ve figured out there is a market for serving your local area with a photo booth. However, before you buy a photo booth, there are some realities that you should know about the unique industry you’re about to get into. In this article we’ll provide some comments from the Four Hard Truths article by Rick Brewer. It’s On Point!
Here are my thoughts on these 4 points:
1. Never Before, Rarely Again Clientele. Most photo booth gigs, whether a wedding or birthday party, are one and done, never to be hired by the customer again. However, this is also the exact reason that people rent anything and that this business exists. People rent things that they rarely use or only need once and it doesn’t make financial sense to purchase. Even at our most expensive rental, $1500, the cost is considerably less than the customer purchasing one of their own. The other benefit to not having reoccurring customers is that they are willing to pay a premium. Engaged couples especially, are often of the mindset that “we are only getting married once, let’s spare no expense and splurge.” The average wedding cost is about $30,000 and I’m fine with taking a small piece of that pie. The photo booth has become a “must have” for Weddings, Proms and Sweet 16s, at least in my market.
The photo booth business is a bit unique in that you can have repeat customers, it is not impossible. Several of our customers are schools and every year we are hired for their prom, graduation or formal dance. We also have a local college that hires us 3-4 times a year for various student events. There are non-profit organizations that hire us every year for their fundraiser dinners. There are businesses that hire us every year for a holiday party or employee appreciation night. There are customers who hire us for their annual Halloween, Christmas or New Year’s party. I’m waiting for a customer who hires us for their Sweet 16, engagement party, wedding and then children’s birthday, I’m sure it’s inevitable.
2. Low Value / No Value Competitors. Brewer is correct here, the bar to getting into the wedding business has never been lower. Fortunately for us in the photo booth business there is somewhat of a barrier to entry (although the bar continues to get lower). If you are going to get into this business, you need to treat it like one, and not like a hobby. That doesn’t mean you need to quit your day job, but it’s about your mindset. Run your business with professionalism and excellence, like you don’t have a day job and this is your livelihood. We regularly get calls from people who want to haggle on price because they found a 4 hour rental for $300 on Groupon. These companies would be lucky to break even at those kind of prices, and likely aren’t paying taxes or insurance. Don’t participate in the race to the bottom on pricing.
3. Many Moving Parts. There are indeed many moving parts to this business. Each customer is different, they are hiring you for various types of events and the events are at different venues. There is a process to the sale, from taking an initial deposit, to keeping in communication about photo strip design, backdrops, scrapbooks, etc. You’ll be dealing with customers, event planners, and venue managers. This is not a business where you can just deal with a single customer. Furthermore you’ve got to make sure you always have enough supplies on hand (paper/ink, USB drives, scrapbooks, backups, props).
4. High Maintenance Business. There are some high maintenance customers in every type of business. We have found that the customers we acquire at a higher price point are much easier to handle. When you start competing in that lower price range the customers can be much more high maintenance. Again, we’ll cover pricing strategy soon!
I’m a proponent of test-driving an idea before I make an investment of time or money. Before I started a career in law enforcement I interned a few summers at a police station and even did a ride-along with the NYPD. I wanted to be sure that a career in law enforcement was what I thought it would be. I would encourage you before buying a photo booth to ask a rental company outside of your market (that you won’t be in competition with) if you could help assist them at a gig or two. First, figure out if the event or photo booth industry fits you and your personality.
Lastly, are you prepared to be away from home on many weekends, getting home in the early hours of the morning? Is your spouse or significant other alright with this type of business? Are you prepared to schlep a photo booth and all the equipment in and out of your car many times over? Are you ready to deal with that one kid who wants to take 500 photos by themselves and mom and dad are using your photo booth as a babysitter? How about everyone who treats your prop table like it was their dresser at home.
Perhaps you are thinking, I’ll just hire someone to work the events. Absolutely hire someone, but for the first 6 months, I would recommend working the events yourself. This way you get to know your photo booth setup and work out all the kinks. Plus you’ll find out the way your local venues want you to enter their building and all of this information can then be passed on to a future employee.
If you’re ready to buy a photo booth and get started on your journey check out The Ultimate Guide: How To Start A Photo Booth Business.
Comments
I am start up and would love to have all the info and tips you can share.
Thanks
Than you so much. Great article for a starter like me. Im pretty sure I can handle those downsides. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I will keep these in mind.
I’m very interested in starting my own business.
Take the dive!
Is there a particular company you would recommend purchasing your photobooth from?
Tiffany, there are a lot of great photo booth companies out there. There are a few listed on my Resources page. Would you be looking for an open or enclosed booth? I hope to put together a photo booth buyer’s guide soon.
Anyone interested to purchase a mirror photobooth, do reach out. Thank you
Debbie I am looking into buying one of these within the next month I hope. You have some suggestions?
I am a photo booth owner that is in my first year of business. I’ve done a few events but am currently working on getting our name out there.I really like the article I just read on your site and look forward to future postings.
Thanks so much for the feedback, glad you like the site.
question, do u need to register ur photo booth business or is it something you do only on the side?.
Its a business, so you need to get all the permits and finger printing, background checks, Insurance, workers comp, and so on. High end customers will ask for your credentials and insurance coverage, licenses etc.
Hi! reading your question here and was wondering the same as I do some research on starting my own. How is the business going? Help me out!. Thanks and good luck with everything
Please send all information to my email. I’m just getting started but want to do this business full time. Would love to visit in person.
I hope to be up and running in a month with my Photo Booth new business. I have enjoyed reading your articles……thank you!!!
I will have a website and official business e-mail soon!!! But for now I’ll use this one…….
Congrats Robin! I’d love to see your site when it’s up.
I am interested in owning a Photo Booth. Please call me and send me the information on the cost of the both
Michelle, I don’t sell photo booths. There are many different manufacturers, Google is your friend!
Hi I want to know more about this photoboot business
thanks
Drop me an email with your questions.
Thanks for the information. I’ve been mulling the idea around in my head for awhile. Finally did some research. Glad I came upon your blog. Very, very helpful and we’ll explained.
RJH?
Great thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Very interested need a starting point in getting into this business
Thanks Gina, drop me an email if you have any questions.
Would like information
Thanks
Great tips
Thanks Van, join the email list!
My husband and I are looking to start a photo booth company. We would love more information.
Chris, great article as usual. It’d be awesome to see a refresh of this topic with a look into the new trend of iPad based photo booths that are taking the market by storm.
Mike, that is very true, I will work on that!
I’m looking into a photo booth business for my 14 year old daughter & myself. We homeschool & want to teach her to be an entrepreneur. This business seems to have many options. Some of my questions are… 1) Do you recommend buying a premade photo booth or making your own? 2) Can they be outside long term? (We don’t have covered storage at our home) 3) Are they always only for special events or can they be at a set location?
Aime, we also homeschool! I do recommend buying a manufactured booth, you’ll get started so much faster. I would say they cannot be outside long term, as the electronics and printers are sensitive to temperature. They can definitely be set at a location, long term, if you can sell it!
What if I want to do the photos without a booth and have one of those background things?
Tiffany, I would say the whole point of a customer renting the booth is because they don’t have one of their own. When you start getting into just a regular camera and a homemade background, that is something the customer could also DIY, so why hire you?
Hi, love your article, is there a cheaper and good looking booth similar to the photo booth supply co. products?
Mo, there’s quite a few photo booth manufacturers out there. Join the photo booth related Facebook groups and you’ll see what they are all about.
How would you recommend to start this business? I am looking to start this on my own but I don’t know where to begin.
Vivian, you’ve got to do some research and validate that a photo booth is going to sell well in your market.
I made my own booth and started it as a hobby. But now its turned into a real business while I’m in medical school. Ive been experimenting with different programs that run the booth but i can’t find one that is easy to use! You have great suggestions. What software would you recommend?
What type of booth did you make? I am using Darkroom Booth, but there are other great software out there as well.
Hi Chris thanks for all the helpful info. Is it practical to build your own photobooth?
I’m just starting my business and I’m grateful for all the useful tips…keep them coming
You’re welcome Michelle. Unless you are particularly handy, I wouldn’t recommend a DIY photo booth build. There are plenty of used photo booths for sale out there at a decent price. Join the photo booth classified type Facebook groups.
Thank you for such a good information to start a photo booth business! It”s awesome
Thank you Ana, glad you enjoy the site. Let me know if you need anything.
Would like more info on props thank you
Feel free to email me with any questions.
I’m interested in learning more about a photo booth business
G