The best photo booth pictures rarely happen by accident. A couple of small tweaks to how you stand, where you look and how close you get can turn an awkward snap into a print you’ll actually frame. Here’s what we’ve learned from standing beside the booth all night.
Before you step up
Have a plan. The queue moves quicker and the photos are better when each group has two or three ideas ready before it’s their turn. Use the time in the queue to agree a “nice one”, a “silly one” and a “surprise one”.
Our staffed booths come with the Selfie Star pose guide, so if your mind goes blank, have a flick through it. The booth attendant is there to help too, so don’t be shy about asking for a suggestion.
Posing tips for one or two people
Chin forward, then slightly down
It feels odd but it works. Push your chin gently towards the camera and tip it down a touch. It sharpens your jawline and stops the camera looking up your nose.
Angle your body, turn your face
Standing square to the camera makes anyone look wider. Turn your body about 45 degrees and bring your face back towards the lens. It’s the oldest trick in portrait photography for a reason.
Give your hands a job
Hands hanging at your sides look stiff. Rest one on your partner’s shoulder, hold their hand, put a hand on your hip or hold your drink. Keep fingers relaxed and side-on to the camera rather than flat.
For couples: get closer than feels natural
Gaps between people look much bigger on camera. Cheek to cheek, forehead to forehead, or one tucked behind the other with arms wrapped round always looks better than standing politely side by side.
Look past the lens for a candid shot
Not every frame needs eye contact. Look at each other, or laugh at something just off camera. Mixing these in with straight-to-camera shots makes the prints feel far more natural.
Posing tips for groups
- Tallest at the back, shortest at the front. Simple, but it’s the difference between seeing every face and seeing the top of someone’s head.
- Use levels. A row crouching at the front, a row standing behind and someone leaning in from the side all add depth.
- Squeeze in. If you think you’re close enough, get closer. Shoulders should be overlapping.
- Agree the theme before the countdown. Everyone shocked, everyone laughing, everyone pointing at the couple. A group that commits together always looks great.
- Make sure everyone can see the screen or camera. If you can’t see the lens, it can’t see you.
Our booths are open booths, so there are no cabin walls limiting the size of your group. Our attendants are very good at arranging big groups so nobody disappears.
Making the most of black and white
Our Glam Booth shoots in black and white with beauty lighting on a white backdrop, and the Party Pod has black and white built in alongside colour. Black and white changes what makes a good photo:
- Expression is everything. Without colour to look at, the eye goes straight to faces. Big laughs and genuine reactions really shine.
- Contrast helps. Darker outfits stand out beautifully against a white backdrop.
- Texture shows up. Sequins, lace, velvet and tailoring all look fantastic in mono.
- Clashing colours stop mattering. The orange shirt next to the pink dress? In black and white, nobody will ever know.
If you’re still weighing up which way to go, our guide to black and white or colour photo booth prints covers the pros of each.
Five pose ideas to try
- The lean-in: everyone leans towards the centre of the frame at once.
- The whisper: one person whispers in another’s ear while everyone else reacts.
- The serious portrait: straight faces, chins up, like an old family photograph. Then break into laughter for the next frame.
- The couple in the middle: guests gather round the newlyweds and look at them, not the camera.
- The dance move: mid-step, arms out, caught in the moment.
A note on the couple’s own photos
Don’t forget to visit the booth yourselves, and not just once. Go early on while you’re fresh, then again later with your bridal party. At the end of the night, every print goes into your gift box, and the whole lot goes into your online gallery. If you’ve booked the Vintage Booth, the same tips apply, just with your choice of backdrop behind you.
FAQs
How do I look good in photo booth pictures?
Angle your body, bring your chin slightly forward and down, give your hands something to do and get close to the people next to you. Good lighting does the rest, which is why the Glam Booth is so flattering.
What if I don’t like the photo?
Go again. Our staffed booths include unlimited photo capture, with prints every time, so there’s no pressure to get it perfect first time.
What’s the best pose for a big group?
Tallest at the back, a crouching row at the front, everyone squeezed in tight and one agreed theme. Check out the Kardashian-style photo booth look if you want inspiration for something sleek.
Ready to give your guests a booth worth posing for? Request a quote or fill in the form below and we’ll check your date.
