What each booth is
A DSLR booth uses a proper camera with a dedicated studio light, the same tools a portrait photographer brings. Ours is the Beverly Booth, and it prints a strip on the spot. The look is black-and-white glam or full colour, with even lighting that flatters everyone in the frame.
An iPad booth uses the tablet's camera on a slim stand. Ours is the Selfie Booth. It captures photos, GIFs and boomerangs and sends them straight to guests' phones by text or AirDrop. It is lighter, smaller and quicker to set up.
Image quality
The DSLR wins on quality, and it is not close. A real sensor and a real studio light give you sharp detail, true skin tones and clean backgrounds. This is why the Beverly's black-and-white glam look works: it needs the lighting to carry it.
The iPad is good, not great. In a well-lit room the photos are perfectly shareable and the GIFs are lively. In a dark reception hall the results are softer. For social media that is rarely a problem; for a framed print it shows.
Prints versus digital
The Beverly includes unlimited prints at every tier, so every group walks away with a strip. The Selfie Booth is digital first, and prints are available on its four-hour tier. If handing guests a physical keepsake is the point, choose the DSLR.
Digital delivery is instant on the Selfie, which guests love at a launch or a birthday where everyone is posting that night. Both booths deliver the full set of files to you within 24 to 48 hours, so you are not missing out on the digital side with the Beverly either.
Cost and space
The Selfie Booth is $290 for two hours, $390 for three and $490 for four. The Beverly is $550, $700 and $850 for the same hours. The gap reflects the equipment, the printer and the consumables rather than any difference in the attendant, template or props, which are included with both.
The Selfie needs about 6 by 6 feet, the Beverly about 8 by 8. If your venue is tight or the booth has to sit in a hallway, the smaller footprint can settle the decision on its own.
- Beverly (DSLR): $550 / $700 / $850, prints included, about 8 x 8 ft
- Selfie (iPad): $290 / $390 / $490, digital first, about 6 x 6 ft
- Both: attendant, custom template, props, setup, files in 24 to 48 hours
Which to pick for which event
Weddings and quinceañeras lean DSLR. Big groups, formal outfits, a court or a bridal party, and a strip that matches the invitations all favour the Beverly. The prints are the favour and the quality holds up in an album.
Birthdays, showers, graduation parties and casual corporate socials lean iPad. Guests want the GIF on their phone before the cake is cut, the space is often smaller and the budget is lighter. Launches and brand activations can go either way, depending on whether the client wants a branded strip in hand or shareable content online.
If you are still undecided
Ask yourself whether you want guests to leave with something in their hand. If yes, the Beverly. If the night is about sharing to Instagram and keeping costs down, the Selfie. We are happy to talk it through and will tell you plainly which we think suits your event.
Planning a celebration in Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley? Tell us the date, the venue and the guest count and we will email a personal quote within 24 hours.
