Open Air Vs Closed Photo Booth

Mar 06, 2023

 - Boothco Limited -

What’s The Difference?

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Photos help us to create lasting memories of special occasions, and the photo booth is an excellent way to capture an event. Everyone loves to perform for a photo booth, and you get unique mementos of your loved ones.


When you’re choosing a photo booth for an event, the first thing you have to decide is the type of photo booth to hire. Do you want the classic privacy of the closed photo booth? Or the versatility of the open air photo booth?


To help you create the perfect memories of your event, we’ve put together this guide to open air vs closed photo booths. Both options are fun, but which is right for your event? Read on to learn more.


  • Closed Photo Booth

    Everyone knows what they’re getting with the closed photo booth, and the classic style will appeal to many party planners. If you’re having a retro party, the closed photo booth is an excellent way to play with the theme.


    People will love the nostalgia rush of climbing into an enclosed photo booth! When the curtains close behind them, it will be like a blast from the past.


  • Privacy

    The lighting in a closed photo booth is carefully controlled. It only has to light a small space, so you can get higher quality pictures. No one will be stuck in the shadows!


    This is particularly important if your event is during the evening or night. With an open air photo booth, you might need to bring in additional lighting just so your friends show up on camera. 


  • Classic Look

    Everyone knows what they’re getting with the closed photo booth, and the classic style will appeal to many party planners. If you’re having a retro party, the closed photo booth is an excellent way to play with the theme.


    People will love the nostalgia rush of climbing into an enclosed photo booth! When the curtains close behind them, it will be like a blast from the past.


  • Lighting

    The lighting in a closed photo booth is carefully controlled. It only has to light a small space, so you can get higher quality pictures. No one will be stuck in the shadows!


    This is particularly important if your event is during the evening or night. With an open air photo booth, you might need to bring in additional lighting just so your friends show up on camera. 


  • Size

    There are pros and cons to the smaller size of the closed photo booth.


    For a start, the closed photo booth can fit into more venues. If you only have a small space for your event, the closed photo booth can slip into a corner.


    However, you can’t fit many people into an enclosed photo booth! Groups can just about squeeze in, but you’re still limited with your numbers. If you want all your friends in one photo, you’ll need to get busy with photoshop!


  • Set Backdrop

    The backdrop of the closed photo booth is pretty much set. In most of them, it will be a plain white wall, although you might have some variety. But in that small space, you won’t be seeing much of the backdrop anyway!

    There’s also less room for props in an enclosed photo booth. You can fit in the smaller items to add some pop to your pictures, but bigger props will dominate the entire space, pushing your poor guests into the background.



  • Open Air Photo Booth

    The open air photo booth is something a little different. Instead of the enclosed box, the open air photo booth is a single tower. This has the camera, and generally a screen (so guests can check they’re in the photo). You set the photo booth up in front of a backdrop, and voilà! You’re ready to go.


    So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the open air booth.


  • Versatile Backdrops

    The open air photo booth is something a little different. Instead of the enclosed box, the open air photo booth is a single tower. This has the camera, and generally a screen (so guests can check they’re in the photo). You set the photo booth up in front of a backdrop, and voilà! You’re ready to go.


    So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the open air booth.

    Versatile Backdrops

    The backdrop of the open air photo booth can be whatever you want it to be! You can hire a backdrop, or create your own. For an outdoor event, you might be happy to let the natural background be the star! And in a particularly lovely venue, the setting might be just perfect on its own. 


    The versatility of the backdrop is excellent if you’re throwing a themed party. You can create a backdrop that works with everyone’s clothing, and really leans into a theme.


  • Size

    The open air photo booth offers some versatility when it comes to size. The actual photo booth itself is small, with a very narrow base. This means it can fit through tight doorways, and around narrow corridors. 


    But once you’ve got the photo booth in place, the background opens up! The total size of the booth and photo area is essentially however big you want it to be. You can move the booth away from the backdrop, to fit more people into the shot. Or you can place it closer, and go for smaller portraits.


  • Comfort

    Throwing a party in summer? Things can get a little sweaty in a closed photo booth. But with the open air booth, you have plenty of room to move around, and the circulating air will keep guests comfortable as they pose.


    Although, watch out for the peacocks! These are the guests that spend all night in front of the camera. They might have had to leave an enclosed box eventually, but they can perform for hours in an open air photo booth.

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  • Attracts Attention

    When there’s a lot going on at a party, it’s easy to overlook the closed photo booth sat in the corner. No one wants to take the plunge and be the first one in, so the photo booth goes unused, and you miss out on a bunch of fun snaps.


    This doesn’t happen with the open air booth. Because everyone can see what’s going on in front of the camera, they can see how much of a good time the guests are having. So, everyone will want to have a go, and you have plenty of mementos of a special evening.


    This does have a bit of a downside. Shy guests might not like the idea of getting up in front of everyone, so they choose to dodge the photo booth entirely. And if they do take a photo, they prefer to avoid the funny faces, and default to a quick smile before running to the bar!


Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose? 

Both the open air and closed photo booths are excellent additions to an event. They’re fun to use, and they create lasting mementos of your special occasion. 

There are pros and cons to both options. The closed photo booth encourages people to get silly, is easy to set up, and fits in smaller venues. But you have more versatility with an open air photo booth, and it’s better for big group photos.

When choosing your photo booth, consider the size of the venue, and the kind of photos you want to create. Whatever your choice, a photo booth is an easy way to add wow to an Event!

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