Confession: I hate posing for photos. But give me a photo booth backdrop and some fun props, and I can't wait to get in front of the camera. There's just something about a photo booth that makes you take yourself less seriously, which is why this last-minute DIY is the perfect way to liven up your holiday party.
I've seen far more patient crafters make all sort of clever designs for DIY photo booths, folding tissue paper like origami or painting elaborate sets to serve as a photo backdrop. While I can appreciate the skill and time that goes into such handiwork, I am more of an impatient crafter—I love projects that provide instant gratification.
This last-minute DIY photo booth backdrop definitely comes together with minimal effort. All it takes is a roll of holiday wrapping paper (depending on the width of the wrapping paper, you made need two rolls), some double-sided tape, scissors, ornaments and fishing line.
Then just find an open wall in a well-lit spot of your house to hang your paper backdrop and ornaments, and your family and friends will flock to this space for silly photos. And around my family? After a cocktail? You know those photos are going to be keepers!
I love the idea of having a designated spot to capture memories. It's an easy project that makes a holiday gathering warm and memorable. As a hostess, I need more things like scented candles and fresh flowers that deliver maximum impact with minimum effort.
Just serve up some snacks and put on some Christmas music, and this photo backdrop will provide lots of entertainment for your guests. Even if you don't have a camera that you can set up on a tripod to capture the shots, your guests' cell phones will do just fine—plus, everyone will leave with photos to remember the night.
Last Minute DIY Photo Booth
This DIY photo booth backdrop came together in record time with just a few supplies from the dollar store.
Supplies needed
- Wrapping paper
- Snowflake ornaments
- Double-sided tape
- Fishing line (or other string)
- Scissors
Instructions
Step 1
Tape a roll of wrapping paper high on the wall and let it hang all the way to the floor. Add several pieces side by side until you achieve your desired backdrop width.
Step 2
Tie fishing line to snowflake ornaments and tape them to the ceiling at various heights.
Step 3
Finish by camouflaging the floor with a blanket or gift bags stuffed with tissue paper. (This is optional: depending on where you place the camera and how you frame the shot, you might not see the floor at all.)
Step 4
Create a festive mood with soft Christmas music, dim the lights and burn holiday candles. Set out a tray of holiday cookies and a pitcher of your favorite seasonal cocktails and mug away!
How do you make your home warm and inviting? Share your holiday hosting secrets!
Ten DIY Photo Booth Ideas
Hosting a photo booth at your next event can be a great way to capture fun memories and create a fun and interactive experience for your guests. However, renting a professional photo booth can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many DIY photo booth ideas that are easy to create and won't break the bank. Here are 10 DIY photo booth ideas to inspire you for your next event:
- Polaroid Picture Frame DIY Photo Booth: Create a life-size Polaroid picture frame with a white foam board and black marker, and cut out the middle section. Your guests can hold up the frame and take pictures through the middle, giving the illusion of a Polaroid picture.
- Giant Photo Strip DIY Photo Booth: Create a giant photo strip using black poster board and white tape. Cut out 4-5 squares and arrange them in a vertical line to create a photo strip. Your guests can stand behind the photo strip and take pictures.
- Flower Wall DIY Photo Booth: Create a beautiful flower wall by attaching fake flowers to a large piece of fabric or backdrop. Your guests can stand in front of the flower wall and take pictures.
- Balloon Backdrop DIY Photo Booth: Create a colorful balloon backdrop by attaching balloons to a string or wire. Your guests can stand in front of the backdrop and take pictures.
- Chalkboard Backdrop DIY Photo Booth: Create a chalkboard backdrop by painting a piece of foam board with chalkboard paint. Your guests can write messages or draw pictures on the backdrop before taking pictures.
- DIY Props Photo Booth: Create your own photo booth props using cardstock and wooden dowels. Cut out shapes like glasses, mustaches, and hats, and attach them to the dowels.
- Instagram Frame Photo Booth: Create an Instagram frame using a foam board, paint, and markers. Cut out the middle section and paint the frame in Instagram's signature colors. Your guests can hold up the frame and take pictures through the middle.
- Vintage Curtains Photo Booth: Hang vintage curtains from a curtain rod to create a simple and elegant photo booth backdrop. Your guests can stand in front of the curtains and take pictures.
- Outdoor Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth outside using a large piece of fabric or backdrop, and natural lighting. Your guests can stand in front of the backdrop and take pictures.
- DIY Lightbox Photo Booth: Create a DIY lightbox using white foam board and LED lights. Your guests can stand behind the lightbox and take pictures, creating a bright and vibrant backdrop.
Making the Photo Booth the Star of Your Party
If you're looking to add some fun and personality to your event, creating your own DIY photo booth is a great way to do it! With a few simple supplies and some creativity, you can create a personalized photo booth experience that your guests will love. Here are 10 DIY photo booth ideas to get you started:
- Build a backdrop: Use fabric or paper streamers to create a colorful and eye-catching backdrop for your photo booth.
- Use a photo booth app: With photo booth apps, you can create custom filters and backgrounds for your photos.
- Use a camera: A dedicated photo booth camera will give you high-quality, consistent photos that you can use in a variety of ways.
- Create your own photo props: Cut out and decorate cardboard props like mustaches, hats, and glasses to create a fun and personalized photo booth experience.
- Use actual photo booths: You can often rent actual photo booths for events and create a nostalgic experience for your guests.
- Use a photo booth app: Photo booth apps can be downloaded onto a smartphone or tablet and used to create custom filters, backgrounds, and photo strips.
- Take all the photos: Use a digital camera or smartphone to take candid photos of your guests throughout the event.
- Create photo strips: Use a photo strip printer to create personalized photo strips for your guests to take home.
- Add a custom neon sign: A custom neon sign with your event name or wedding date can add a fun and unique touch to your DIY photo booth.
- Use a ring light: A ring light can help to create a bright and even lighting for your photos, making sure that everyone looks great.
Other ideas include setting up an online gallery for all the photos, creating a guest book for guests to leave messages, using a polaroid camera for instant prints, using a selfie stick for group shots, and creating a wedding album with all the photo booth pictures. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your own DIY photo booth, so let your imagination run wild!
Last Minute DIY Photo Booth FAQs
Do I have to use double-sided tape to adhere the wrapping paper to the wall?
You can use whatever you have in your craft supply stash to hang this on the wall. Tacks work, too, but you'll have tiny holes in your wall to contend with afterward.
Painter's tape is also a great option, as it has enough hold to keep the wrapping paper in place, but it's designed to not damage the paint on your walls. I like double-sided tape because you can hide it behind the wrapping paper for a cleaner, more polished look.
What camera equipment do I need for a photo booth?
A basic digital camera of the point-and-shoot variety works just fine for your DIY photo booth. A tripod that's tall enough to capture your friends and a camera with a remote shutter release is ideal for a more streamlined set-up, but there's no need to get too technical with the photo booth process.
Ideally, if you have a few guests (and no fancy camera equipment), you can just ask your guests to snap photos with their cell phones. Or, for a fun throw-back option, leave a few disposable cameras near your photo booth backdrop and develop them after the party for a fun reminder of the night.
What kinds of props should I use for my DIY photo booth?
Grab an empty basket or bin and collect some theme-appropriate objects from around your house. Then place the basket on a table near your photo booth so guests can easily select props. Ornaments, wreaths, candy canes and even pine cones can make for fun seasonal props.
It's hilarious to see how creative your guests will get with the props. Tinsel garland can make an excellent scarf in a pinch, and leftover bows from wrapping presents make great hair accessories.
Last Minute DIY Photo Booth
Materials
- Wrapping paper
- Snowflake ornaments
- Double-sided tape
- Fishing line (or other string)
Instructions
- Tape a roll of wrapping paper high on the wall and let it hang all the way to the floor. Add several pieces side by side until you achieve your desired backdrop width.
- Tie fishing line to snowflake ornaments and tape them to the ceiling at various heights.
- Finish by camouflaging the floor with a blanket or gift bags stuffed with tissue paper. (This is optional: depending on where you place the camera and how you frame the shot, you might not see the floor in photos.)
- Create a festive mood with soft Christmas music, dim the lights and encourage your guests to mug away!
