Photo booth questions to ask before you book

Two photo booth quotes can look identical and mean completely different things. The gap is in what’s included — and what’s quietly extra. Ask every company on your shortlist the same short list below, for the same date and hours, and the right choice usually sorts itself out. Print it, or copy the ready-made inquiry at the bottom.

The "what’s included" questions

1. Are prints unlimited? The single most-asked package question. "Unlimited" means every guest, every visit, gets a strip — the way it should be. If prints are capped or digital-only, you want to know now. Also ask the format: classic 2×6 strips or 4×6 photos.
2. Is a professional attendant included for the whole event? The number-one quality tell. The attendant sets up, runs the booth, styles props, keeps the line moving, and fixes problems before you see them. Confirm they stay the full run time — not just for setup — and that it isn’t a surprise add-on. It’s essential for a 360 booth.
3. Do you offer instant digital sharing? Text, email, QR code, or AirDrop so guests get their photos immediately and post them. Confirm it’s included, whether it needs wifi (and if they bring their own hotspot), and whether you also get a full gallery of every image afterward.
4. Is a custom template included? Artwork on every print with your names, date, or logo. Ask if design and a proof are included or cost extra, and how many revisions you get. Generic-template-only is a red flag.
5. What props and backdrops come with it? Confirm what’s in the standard package and what a premium backdrop (sequin, floral, custom step-and-repeat) adds. For weddings, ask about a guest book / scrapbook.
6. Exactly which booth am I getting, and how many hours? Pin down the style (open-air, glam, mirror, 360…) and the run time, since both drive everything else.

Logistics and reliability

7. How much setup and teardown time do you need — and is it billed? Pros want 45–90 minutes before your start (more for a 360 or a branded backdrop). Confirm setup happens before your paid hours, not inside them.
8. Do you carry backup equipment? A spare camera, printer, and laptop in the van so one failure doesn’t end your booth. Ask directly; the answer tells you a lot.
9. What’s your backup plan if the booth breaks or the attendant is sick? A real company has one — another unit, another operator. A shrug is a warning.
10. Are you insured, and can you provide a COI for my venue? Most venues require a certificate of insurance from every vendor, often naming them as additional insured. Ask during quoting, not the week of — a pro produces one within a day. The full COI explainer is in how to choose.

Money and the fine print

11. Is there a travel fee to my venue? Most companies include a radius (often 25–50 miles) and charge beyond it. Get the number for your address.
12. Is there an idle-time fee? If the booth sits closed during dinner, many companies charge $50–100 per idle hour. Ask whether your quote includes idle time or bills it separately — a big one for weddings.
13. What’s the overtime rate? If the party runs long, what does an extra hour on the night cost, and can the attendant stay? Getting this in writing prevents an awkward negotiation at 11pm.
14. What’s the all-in total? Add travel, idle, add-ons, and tax into one number so you’re comparing like with like. See the cost guide for what that total should look like.
15. Deposit, balance, and cancellation terms? How much to hold the date, when the balance is due, and what happens if plans change. Make sure there’s a written contract listing the date, hours, booth, price, and everything above.

A copy-paste inquiry

Send that to three companies for the same date and hours. The one that answers quickly, specifically, and without dodging the fee questions is usually the one to book.

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