Anchors Aweigh!

When the simple wackiness of a photo booth experience isn’t quite what you’re going for, a theme may be just the thing — especially if the party/wedding/friends-for-the-weekend event already has a theme. The nautical aesthetic has a timeless appeal, and lends itself well to retro-styling for both props and backgrounds, if not entire wardrobes. Thoughts of the ocean conjure legends and lore, and the spirit of adventure that you’ll have a great time embodying in wistful and whimsical photographs.

There are opportunities to create scenes for children, where a handmade look will accentuate the charm of your little models, and a variety of ways to handle grownup-oriented photo scenes. Looking for a romantic setting? A boat built for two could be just for you. Looking for something funny? A boat built for two could be just for you… and six of your closest friends.

The key when building a photo booth backdrop that makes the effort worthwhile is to make a backdrop that sets the tone, props that provide inspiration to smile, laugh, gesticulate or otherwise pose, and decorative details that sell the moment. This isn’t a roll of wallpaper hanging behind you. It’s a stage upon which you and your friends and loved ones may create moments worth saving.

Props from Whisker Works that can really help put you in the seafaring spirit include the Beard (a staple of old-timey and modern sea captains alike), the Captain mustache (clearly), and the Engineer, as it is decidedly swarthy. If you’re going for the “I’ve been adrift for a few weeks but only grew a mustache” look, that’s the Naturalist for sure. Other choice elements include an oar, a captain’s hat, and possibly a parrot if you’re going for a Caribbean motif.

Weddings Illustrated

Photo credit: Weddings Illustrated

thedigitalorange
Photo credit: The Digital Orange

aliciamujo.com
Photo credit: Alicia Mujo Photography

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Photo credit: Frosted Petticoat Blog

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Photo credit: Diaper Style Memoirs

coastalcreatives.co.uk
Photo credit: Coastal Creatives

wedding-dream.org
Photo credit: Wedding Dream

Glittering Gold Glamour: Welcome, 2014!

Take 2014 by storm with a glamorous DIY photo booth! Toast the new year with friends and family and plenty of shiny things. With a mix of metallic themed props and backgrounds it will be easy to let your true self shine through. Capture the moment that you say goodbye to the old and welcome to the new year in a glamorous style for all to see.
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Photo credits:
Cheers Banner: Confetti Design Shop
Gold ampersand: Letters From A to Z
Gold ladies: Oh Happy Day
Metallic streamers: The Design Files
Gold balloons: Snapden Photo Booths

Fabulous fall photo booth

Gear up for fall with some homegrown touches that are sure to delight one and all. Start off with a simple burlap background to create an outdoorsy feeling. Take it further with colorful branches of fall foliage or even some playful banners. Add a few hay bales and pumpkins to really bring harvest time to life.
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Shannen Natasha
fall photobooth
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Native American
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Photo credits:
Fall family: Joyful Weddings & Events
Pitchfork couple: Shannen Natasha
Leaf garland: Pinterest
Little pilgrims: Michael’s
Hay bales and bunting: Urban Life
Native American & Pilgrim props: Salsapie tutorial
Apples on fence: Sarah Teeter Photography

Ghoulish Nights and Photo Delights

Gather round ghosts and goblins, it’s time to scare up a fright on the most ghoulish of nights.  Create your own spirited photo booth backdrops with a little bit of fabric, paint and imagination. Try using a row of old paintings to conjure up a scary delight. Or set the scene with a little black gauze. Whatever the theme, from spooky elegance to frightful fun, you can turn your photo booth into a place for great memories.

Coffin photo boothHalloween backdrop Spooky photo booth Spooky chair Black gauze Two zombiesHalloween Couple
Photo credits:
Coffin backdrop: Pinterest
Black chairs: Pinterest
Graveyard backdrop: Pinterest
Elegant chair: Eleakis & Elder Photography Studio
3 people: Smile Booth
Police line up skeletons: Laurenconrad.com
Scary photos couple: Pinterest

Capture memories with a kid’s spooky booth

For young and old alike, Halloween can be a spooky sensation or a grand celebration. For kids, it’s all about dressing up, having fun and candy of course! With something as simple as streamers or cheesecloth, you’re on your way to a homemade spooky booth.

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LaDeeDaa Photography

Photo credits:
Bails of hay: Supermom Moments blog
Black and orange streamers: Pinterest
Cemetery backdrop: Chris & Paige blog
Captain America: Caleb Jamin Studios
Little knight: Mer Mag blog
Spooky streamers: Pinterest
Gorilla & Vampire: La Dee Daa Photography

For Halloween photo props, visit Whisker Works.

Gallery: Seeing Cleare-ly

Aoife Millea, a photographer for Cleare Photography out of Waterford, Ireland, has been operating her own photo booth for less than a year, but seems to have perfected it already. Bright colors, whimsical backdrops and, sometimes, Whisker Works props. Why does she like photo booths? Aoife states, “because I felt a lot of people, especially adults, can be super uncomfortable standing for normal photos, but give them a mustache on a stick and they transform into giggling confident posers, whether they are 5 or 95!”


Cleare Photography on Facebook
All backdrops are from Lemon Drop Stop.

To have your photo booth images considered for a gallery feature, click on the “Submit Photos” button above. Please send up to a dozen of your best images showing a variety of backdrop designs and plenty of color!