Who here runs a photo booth at their weddings?

TheHoff wrote in post #9077231
Well, Debbie Downer, people seem to like them and it doesn't take any of your focus; if it is profitable enough to run, you put an assistant on it. It is gimmicky but so are a lot of things at receptions. I've never run one at a wedding but I've set them up at my own parties and they are lots of fun. At a reception you obviously get guests being goofballs to make the B&G laugh at the photos later on.

If you're not running it... it makes money... and both guests and clients like it... why not?

"Debbie Downer." I love SNL references.

bulayog wrote in post #12133849
The ST-E2 will not fire your SBs. They're different systems. Either you go manual and use sync cords or optical slave for your SBs. And I would assume that the 590EXIIs was a typo error for 580EXIIs.

oops! Yes. 580EXIIs not 590.

jonwhite wrote in post #12133333
Yes, we use just the ST-E2 to fire all four flashes, all of them are set to slave and the power set manually on them. I don't know if it would work with a mixture of canon and Nikon flashes as I only own Canon flashes.

I own a photography business that runs a photo booth service. My partner uses big bulky strobes. They are very annoying since they are heavy, with wires and need power outlets. Been looking for alternatives and I found this thread...
I shoot weddings so I have 1x580exii, 2x430 ex, softbox and stands. I'm just not sure if it is powerful enough to do the photobooths since I have got used to those powerful strobes!
I was thinking of 580EXII on my camera as bounce flash/trigger and using the 430EXs with the softboxes on left and right. Do you think it's powerful enough? Thanks!

The only time you need a lot of power is if your shooting in bright conditions and need to overpower ambient, if your shooting in dim and dark conditions like all our receptions are then 4 speedlites give more than enough flash output.

Having to use mains strobes would be a real put off for me, cables trailing on the floor are dangerous, as are heavy lights and it would also limit where we could throw it up ... a speedlite with an umbrella attached isn't going to hurt someone if its gets knocked over and they allow for set-up anywhere.

jonwhite wrote in post #12140317
The only time you need a lot of power is if your shooting in bright conditions and need to overpower ambient, if your shooting in dim and dark conditions like all our receptions are then 4 speedlites give more than enough flash output.

Having to use mains strobes would be a real put off for me, cables trailing on the floor are dangerous, as are heavy lights and it would also limit where we could throw it up ... a speedlite with an umbrella attached isn't going to hurt someone if its g the ets knocked over and they allow for set-up anywhere.

Thanks for the reply. do you think 2x430ex is enough light thoughh? I'll have the 580 as the IR remote

I have the highlite 6' X 7' and use 4 X 430ex II if you look on the lastolite website they have a video using only 1 flashgun pointing into the highlite, I'm going to use 2 flashguns pointing at the joint between the highlite and train apparently they look slightly different white, then one with diffuser to provide main light. But I got great info off people on this site the flashguns facing into the backdrop must be at a higher power than the one lighting the subjects!!

magnum703 wrote in post #12143583
Thanks for the reply. do you think 2x430ex is enough light thoughh? I'll have the 580 as the IR remote

You can light the background with one speedlight but I wouldn't want to do it, 2 makes it easier to get the background even. You then also need to use at least one speedlight to light people from the front, but again I prefer to use two speedlights on umbrellas.

Its possible to do an awful lot with a minimum amount of light IF you know your lighting well but I personally wouldn't want to try and run my setup with just 2 lights which is why I have 6 speedlights in total, spares are important and also give me the opportunity to shoot other things whilst the photo booth is setup.

Nice little added bonus from running our photo booth, we got some free publicity on one of the popular wedding blogs here in the UK.

Brides Up North Wedding Blog - Boundless Photos Photo Booth

Strictly speaking the blog is aimed at brides outside our main region but we do weddings all over the country and they get visitors from all over too so its all good!

RT McAllister wrote in post #9079175
Well, so is the chicken dance but you still see it whether you want to or not.

Hahaha!! LMBOTF - LAUGHING MY BUTT ON THE FLOOR! HAHAHAAH

Do you guys have any other budget friendly suggestions for a good backdrop besides the HiLite?

I run the biggest HiLite, with 3 Bowens 750pro's love it but I want an enclosed system and to leave an assistant with it.

Any ideas on which system to go for? I'm leaning to the Mojo photobooth as value for money is great $6995.

My setup. Simple and effective:


Just a setup shot using One Paul C Buff Strobe (Ab1600 in a BD)

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I like this simple system, my only concern would be getting the paper roll in the car.
What width of roll are you using?

Thanks

John

I get a lot of enquiries about photo booths but usually for just weddings. I say I can only take a booking is I'm the tog on the day and I never hear back.

So my style of wedding photography clashes with the sort who want a photo booth.

Fine by me

The Hi Lites's are the ones to use but they take up space and here in the UK one thing venues lack is a 3m x 3m space to put one.

I was thinking of offering a photo booth at events, I was also concerned about taking up to much room in a small venue, for example a room in a pub. Anyone have any bad experience with this?