Setup guide
A photo booth is easier
than you think
Start with the tablet you already have, or your own iPhone or Android phone if you don't have one, and go all the way to a rental-grade booth if you like.
Here's how to place it and connect it, in pictures.
Only the gear you need
Start at any of the three.
Keep it light now and add more later.
Tablet or phone + tripod
If you just want to start
Most people put a tablet on a tripod.
No tablet?
Your own iPhone or Android phone makes a real booth too.
- A tablet, or your own iPhone or Android phone
- A tripod stand (tablet or phone)
No extra cost (use what you have)
+ One light
Photos get visibly better
Add one ring light and skin tones come alive while shadows soften.
A small upgrade with a big payoff.
- Everything above
- Ring light (10–18 in)
- Ring light stand
Around $25–45
+ Wireless printer
A print to hold in your hand
Add a wireless photo printer, save the shot to your photo library, and print it on the spot.
A print in hand feels different from a screen.
- Everything above
- Wireless photo printer (Canon SELPHY CP1500 or instax Link)
Printer + film
Set the tablet at this angle
Slightly above eye level, camera tilted down a little, 5–6.5 ft (1.5–2 m) from your guests.
Height Just above eye level.
A slight downward angle flatters faces.
Angle Tilt the screen down a little.
It looks more natural than straight on.
Distance 5–6.5 ft (1.5–2 m).
Too close and faces look big; too far and the background feels empty.
One light changes everything
A small upgrade with a big payoff.
Put a ring light in front, slightly above.
Position In front of your guests, right behind or beside the tablet, shining down from about 45 degrees.
Color Warm light (3000–4000K) brings out skin tones.
Brightness Not too strong.
Just enough for shadows to soften away.
Not sure what to buy?
These aren't required.
Anything similar works.
Most people use a tablet because the bigger screen lets guests see themselves.
No tablet?
An iPhone or Android phone takes the same photos.
Pick one with adjustable height.
Set it slightly above eye level.
From the front, slightly above.
Warm light (3000–4000K) flatters people.
SELPHY prints over Wi-Fi (AirPrint) right after you save.
instax Link connects over Bluetooth and prints from Fujifilm's instax app.
Paper or film costs extra.
How the day flows
It's simple: open, shoot, get, gather.
Four steps, that's all.
Open
Open IMAGO on the tablet (or a phone), or show guests the QR code.
Nothing to install.
Shoot
Four shots, following the on-screen cues.
Gentle skin smoothing is applied automatically.
Get
Each photo gets its own QR code right away.
Guests scan it with their own phones.
Gather
Every photo lands in the event album.
Afterward, one link in the group chat and everyone has them.
Printing on the spot
With a wireless photo printer you can print photos right there.
AirPrint printers need no extra software.
Put the printer on Wi-Fi
Turn on a wireless photo printer such as a Canon SELPHY and connect it to the same Wi-Fi as the tablet, from the Wi-Fi settings in the printer menu.
Save the photo
On the result screen, tap Save photo and it goes into the tablet photo library.
Print from Photos (AirPrint)
Open the photo in Photos and tap Print in the share menu.
Printers on the same Wi-Fi appear automatically.
Android works the same way through its print service.
Any wireless photo printer that supports AirPrint works.
The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is a good pick.
instax Link doesn't use AirPrint: it connects over Bluetooth and prints from Fujifilm's instax app.
Connecting a Canon SELPHY CP to Wi-Fi, step by step
- 1Turn the printer on and press the Wi-Fi button.
- 2In the Wi-Fi settings, open Connection Settings and choose to connect through a wireless router.
- 3Under the connection method, search for the router and pick the same Wi-Fi as the tablet.
That's it for the printer.
Other models follow the same flow once you find their Wi-Fi menu.
After that, print from Photos (AirPrint) as above.
AirPrint printers need no extra app.
For a big event, or if gear is too much, just put up one QR code.
Everyone shoots on their own phone at the same time, and the photos all land in the same album.
Ready to open your event?
Guidance comes with every step.
You won't get stuck, even on your own.