Jan
28

Where’s the Booth?

This picture was taken at one of the weddings where our clients had the photographer provide a photo booth. Actually, how can you call this a photo booth? Many New England wedding photographers are jumping into the lucrative photo booth market by making their own home made pipe and drape assemblies, or prom style back drops like this picture. In most cases, the photographer takes the photos rather than the machine which I refer to affectionately as a “photo booth.”

Let’s not forget the novelty of why this trend got hot in the first place. Remember back at the malls on a Saturday when you would go into a booth, close the curtain, and proceed to take 4 silly photos? Well that is the novelty of a photo booth and what makes it fun. Sitting down on a chair and having a photographer take your picture is NOT the same experience, yet dozens and dozens of photographers sell a photo booth, only to deliver this imposter of a set up.
If you are planning on having a photo booth for your wedding, be careful not to be taken for a ride by a photographer who says they include a photo booth in with your package. Nothing is free in this world and you certainly pay for it. Unfortunately, your guests also pay as they are deprived of the fun and silliness created by an authentic booth set up. Do the research and don’t settle for anything less than the real thing.
Music In Motion Entertainment of Seymour Connecticut has a photo booth division with authentic wedding booths and professional technicians to assist the wedding guests. We create a memory album, offer complimentary props and hand over a thumb drive of all images recorded in the photo booth during the wedding session. Find out more information at musicinmotionentertainment.com

Apr
25

Here is yet another happy comment from the Music In Motion Facebook page:

Music in Motion is definitely the best in CT! Mike was absolutely amazing and writing a review cant even do him justice! Our day was perfect because of his attention to detail and professionalism.

ADD THE PHOTO BOOTH! What a hit. :) I had the time of my life!

BOOK MUSIC IN MOTION! You will not go wrong. Thank you Music in Motion Family!

- Rebekah Hunt, Wedding: 4/16/2011

Feb
22

This is NOT a Photo Booth!

It is embarrassing. So many photographers, DJs, and fly by night operations are trying to capitalize on the lucrative photo booth craze that is sweeping the nation. The only problem is that they are trying to get in as cheap as possible and many are building their own photo booth. At a bridal show this past Sunday, I personally watched as a photo booth provider wheeled in a hulking box made out of plywood which was totally amateurish and homemade. Even the sides of the booth had an area where the paint had not been finished. A low quality camera was used and the prints were created on consumer grade printers. Despite this low end approach, they were still charging fees from $1100 – $1700. Buyer beware!

It is also very common for me to see photographers selling “Photo Booths” to their clients and then showing up with pipe and drape backdrops with a traditional photographer taking photos as the subject stands there to pose. This is NOT a photo booth. It is a photo session. Again, buyer beware!

My prediction for 2011 wedding season is that 40% of all weddings will have a photo booth, or similar concept. Clearly, this trend is the hottest trend of the year, and there seems to be no end in sight as to the end of this phenomenon. If you are planning on getting a booth, ask questions first. Find out if it is a REAL photo booth and ask to see pictures. Not just of the photo strips but the booth itself. Do they use printers that print fast and make prints that are instantly dry? Here are a list of questions you should ask when speaking to a photo booth provider:

  1. Is your booth a real photo booth or homemade? Is it neutral black or silver like a mall photo booth?  Can I see the actual booth you use at my event?
  2. How many hours do I get? (Always have a booth for the full reception. Anything less is a disruption.)
  3. What is included? Props? Scrap Album? Etc?
  4. Are my photo strips customizable? Colors, fonts, layout?
  5. Can I get a thumb drive of the images?
  6. If provided, what does the scrap album look like?
  7. Is the photo booth technician qualified to fix problems on site? Do you have a back up in case of failure?
  8. How large is the photo booth and what area will it fit in?
  9. Is the photo booth provider insured?
  10. How many people can fit into your booth at one time. Do we get unlimited photos or are there limitations?

I hope this list helps you find the perfect photo booth for your wedding event!