Let’s talk about lighting!
It’s the secret sauce for amazing photo booth pictures and stunning 360 videos.
Get it right, and your event photos and 360 videos will shine; get it wrong, and, well... let’s not go there.
Don’t worry, though - we’ve got you covered!
Here are some simple tips to help us nail the perfect lighting setup and maximise your event’s photo booth experience.
1. Check Out the Venue First
Every venue has its own vibe when it comes to lighting.
Some are bright and airy, while others are dim and cosy.
A quick trip to scope out the venue beforehand is key to understanding what we’re working with.
Why does this matter?
Because the location of the booth plays a massive role in the final quality of your photos and videos.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Avoid Downlights: Harsh overhead lighting creates shadows and an unflattering warm glow that’s hard to balance. If possible, we’ll request to turn them off or suggest an alternative spot.
Look for Neutral Zones: Areas without direct light sources are perfect. This lets us control the lighting entirely using our equipment, ensuring the best results.
PRO TIP: If you’re unsure, we’ll use our experience from previous events to guide the setup and ensure the booth placement works seamlessly.
2. Using the Right Gear
Great lighting starts with the right tools, and we bring the best to your event.
Here’s a look at the gear we use:
Ring Lights: A go-to for 360 photo booths, great quality ring lights provide even, flattering lighting that’s ideal for close-ups.
LED Lights: Adjustable and versatile, LED lights let us tweak brightness and colour to match the venue’s vibe and correct any lighting challenges.
Professional Flash: When paired with an umbrella diffuser, this setup disperses light evenly, reduces shadows, and produces sharp, vibrant photos. It’s perfect for traditional photo booths.
3. Natural Light Must Be Great, Right?
Not so fast!
While natural light might seem like a win, it often creates more problems than it solves.
Harsh sunlight or uneven light from windows can lead to unwanted shadows and dark spots that even professional lighting struggles to fix.
Outdoor Events: Shadows are unavoidable in bright sunlight, but scheduling events for late afternoon or evening can help mitigate this.
Indoor Events: We recommend setting up away from windows to avoid the directional shadows caused by natural light. This ensures we have full control over the lighting. If curtains or covers are available over the windows, we recommend closing them.
Harsh shadows and over-exposure produced by placing booth close to a window, which also causes under-exposure when the camera faces the window
4. Why Down Angles Are Crucial
The angle of the lighting can make or break your photos and videos.
We ensure a slight downward angle (30 to 45 degrees) with our equipment which is ideal for:
Smoothing out skin textures
Reducing unflattering shadows under the chin
Highlighting facial features beautifully
Avoiding glare or the dreaded “deer in the headlights” look
This setup ensures everyone looks their best, from your guests to the bride and groom!
5. Play with Colour Temperature
Lighting isn’t just about brightness - colour temperature matters too.
If the venue’s lighting is overly warm (yellow) or cool (blue), it can clash with the photo booth setup.
Here’s how we handle it:
Match the Mood: We adjust our equipment’s colour temperature to complement the venue’s lighting.
Avoid Yellow Casts: Warm lighting can create unflattering yellow tones. We balance it out ensuring everyone looks picture-perfect.
6. Test the Photo Booth Before the Guests Arrive
Preparation is everything!
We arrive early to set up and test the lighting, taking a few test shots to:
Fine-tune brightness and colour
Ensure the lighting complements the backdrop and props
Make sure everything is ready to wow your guests from the first photo
This attention to detail ensures a polished, professional look that will leave your guests raving.
Why Lighting Is So Important
Great lighting doesn’t just make photos and videos look better; it makes people feel amazing too!
The difference between an overexposed shot and a perfectly lit one is night and day.
That’s why we don’t use one-size-fits-all settings.
Every event is unique, and we customise our setup to suit your specific venue and vibe.
If you want you and your guests to look like stars, check out our range of photo booth hires here.
Book online or send us an enquiry for a customised quote.
Let’s make your event unforgettable!
