Tips for renting a photo booth at your wedding – Blog post from A2Z Photobooths. Aug 2011

Having a photo booth at your wedding is amazing! It will end up being what everyone talks about for years to come. Plus, you and your guests will have all the fabulous photos to remember the fun.

The first thing you want to consider when choosing which photo booth service to go with is your space. How much room to you have in your reception area? Traditional booths (like the ones at the mall and the State Fair) require less space and can usually be placed near the bar, in a corner, or out of the way. Traditional booths vary in size from 3ft x 3ft to much larger…if you’re short on space, speak with your photo booth vendor and talk about how much room they need. Make sure they include the room for any additional tables and props. Live photo booths (similar to a mini photo studio)
usually take more space to set up—starting at 10ft x 10 ft. These types of booths do well along a wall, in a large hallway, or in a far corner.

The theme of your wedding will dictate the style of photo booth you decide on. Traditional booths offer nostalgic photo strips that everyone remembers. They are classy, elegant and everyone knows it’s a photo booth. Our traditional booths always generate two identical photo strips. Live photo booths offer a lot more variety. You can have different colored backgrounds that match your theme. Larger groups of family and friends can take their photo at the same time (plus when we’re printing your images each person can take home a copy). Because there is more room – there is more creativity
from guests in the photos.

The features that can be included with your photo booth rental will depend on your photo booth vendor. Here are the items you may want to make sure are included:

1.)   Custom Album: We always include an album for the bride and groom. This is kind of like a photo sign in book. We use a duplicate photo and your guests assist in putting it together by making comments, signing, or giving newlywed advice. This album is usually the best part of the whole photo booth rental.

2.)   Attendant: Having an attendant running the photo booth is very important. Inviting guests to take pictures, putting together the album, and being available for any unforeseen technical difficulty. A photo booth attendant should be dressed professionally. They should be friendly and outgoing.

3.)   Photos are printed immediately. This may be a no-brainer, but a true photo booth will always print photos right on the spot. You should be able to use these photos as wedding favors and for your album.

4.)   Additional features that can be included: Props (hats, glasses, boas etc), CD of all your images, custom logo to print on each photo, an exterior monitor to view what’s going on inside the booth (for the traditional style booths), having the exterior of the booth customized with your info or photos, photo strip holders, and magnets.

The best time to have your photo booth start is during the cocktail hour and run throughout the reception. This gives your guests the chance to have something to do while there is down time. If the cocktail hour and reception are too far apart – then having it running during the reception works great. Speak with your photo booth vendor to get the best time to start the photo booth. Typically the photo booth is set up early and the attendant comes at the appointed time to get it started. We don’t think you should be charged for this “waiting” time. Check to make sure you only pay for the running time of the booth.

The most memorable day of your life should include as many photos as possible. A photo booth is a great way for you to see how your guests enjoyed your wedding day.

For more tips, ideas, or to get pricing. Please contact Chris with A2Z Photobooths 480-289-0684
www.a2zPhotobooths.com

Saturday was amazing. The weather was wonderful. The lake looked fabulous. And the Castle was all decked out…yeah that’s right…I was at a Castle. Although not your typical cold, damp and clammy kinda castle. This one was opulent, gorgeous, and a perfect venue for Laura and Mark’s wedding. I was busy with the Photobooth throughout the entire wedding…otherwise I would have snapped a few shots of the decor, venue and overall awesomeness.

These are the few of the photobooth pictures…it was such a fun night!

The catering was provided by Thornager’s on Kiltie Lane – Tim was in charge and he did a fabulous job! The catering staff and chef were so professional and efficient. I get to work with them again on November 11, 2011. I’ll be back in Flagstaff for Emily & Joe’s wedding.
Michael and Tara with Missing Frame Photography  did the wedding photography – I can’t wait to see the photos they post online!
But most (if not all) of the credit goes to Kim Duncan with KD Event Designs 928-863-0293. I was thrilled for a chance to work with Kim. Everything looked so amazing and she was great to work with. It’s too bad the photobooth was so busy and I didn’t get any of the decoratin photos…But I know that Michael got a bunch of good ones. And I can’t complain too much – Laura and Mark’s photobooth album turned out great.

It was a great wedding all around. Although I agree with the character Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert from Disney’s Tangled “I could get used to this….yep, I’m already used to it”. The Castle was amazing…

If you could get married at a Castle – would you??

I love getting emails from clients – but especially when the email is nothing but a glowing testimonial.

I know I am probably tooting my own horn…but come on! Sometimes this horn needs tooting!

Here is a testimonial I got last week. This is from the mother of one of my Seniors:

Hello Jill,  We have had problems with our computer and I only just got the CD opened and on to the computer.  I did not realize how handsome our son (Sam) was.  If it had not been for this moment you spent with him, we would not have these most treasured and timeless images.  I feel so blessed that this happened with him our first child so that I can use you for all of my other children as they hit this mark in their lives.  Thank you for your eye and skill.  We will show them to our family and friends and tell them about our great photographer.

Thank you so much.  Love, Katina M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris and I recently went out on a date and spent time scouting new locations for photo shoots. Here are a few images we got of each other.

By the way – we found some AWESOME locations!

Chris Smith. He loves being in the wedding industry and believes in making each event special and memorable. Photography brings out his creative side that probably would never be seen without a camera in his hands. He enjoys working in the Scouting program and currently volunteers as a Scout Leader for 16/17 year olds. At Cold Stone Creamery he always gets Mint ice cream with Brownie…sometimes double brownie. His perfect day consists of building something, fixing something, or out shooting with his camera. He is the best father and husband in the world.

Jill Lauren Smith. I wasn’t born with a camera in my hands – although if I had been, that would’ve been cool. It wasn’t until 2 years ago that I decided to get serious about photography. I love green smoothies – but sometimes I still have to choke them down. My perfect day consists of rain, a good (long) book, and an entire bag of salt & vinegar chips. I’m critical about what I do with my camera – but not too critical to stop myself. I should probably start working out more often….eventually I will. I tell my kids that I’m Super Mom…I’m hoping eventually they’ll start believing it. My favorite part about being a wedding photographer: meeting and getting to know new people and all the great friends in the wedding industry who I’ve grown to love and admire! Oh yeah, and working with my super talented husband.

 

I was so inspired after a recent photographers meeting. Everado Keeme, a local photographer and friend, suggested taking the time to drive around and scout-out photo locations. It will be fun to do it with a group of photogs, but I got inspired to take Chris out and see what we could find.

It was a great date night. We did some crazy pictures – but I’ll have to share them on Facebook instead of here on my blog 🙂

 

Emily and Joe met while volunteering at a conservation project. They love the outdoors and using chainsaws! (I know…kinda cool right??) I’d imagine it was love at first sight from the way these two act when they are together. Emily is Joe’s everything and she can’t live without him. Joe loves the fact that Emily will camp for 8 days (really camp…not any of this sissy shower stuff!). Emily loves that Joe will pick out the cactus from her flip flops.

I love the chance to get to know them both a little bit better. They are getting married on November 11, 2011 in Flagstaff Arizona. It will be amazing!!

This was out at Buffalo park in Flagstaff Arizona. A wonderful park with plenty of trails and lots of tiny cactus in the meadows. (we should probably have stayed on the trails more). We happened to be out there while a drum group was practicing…so we had the wonderful candence of drums thoughout our photo shoot. It was awesome!

 

We decided that Emily and I wore the wrong shoes. The little cactus plants kept jumping up and getting us. Joe probably picked a dozen different plants off her shoes. Although it was memorable…walking all over the meadow – with cactus jumping on us. 🙂

Even Joe wasn’t safe from the jumping little buggers! Nasty little plants!

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