Photo booth props and backdrops: ideas for every occasion

The backdrop: simple, bright and consistent

The backdrop is what appears behind your guests in every photo. It should stay simple so it does not upstage the faces, and be wide enough for a group of four or five. A few options that work almost anywhere:

• a plain curtain or stretched fabric, in a colour taken from the printed frame;
• a greenery or dried-flower wall for a rustic or boho wedding;
• a sequin or metallic fringe curtain for a party;
• fairy lights in front of a dark fabric, for a late-evening mood;
• simply a light, well-lit wall, the safest choice of all.

Avoid busy patterns and very shiny backdrops, which bounce the flash back. And check the size: the backdrop must extend beyond the camera’s framing, or the room behind will show.

Props that really work

Props are mostly there to win over the shyest guests. There is no need for dozens: a well-chosen basket, easy to reach and tidied regularly, beats a pile where nothing can be found. Reliable choices:

• hats, crowns and tiaras, quick to put on and take off;
• novelty glasses, heart-shaped or number-shaped;
• signs with phrases to hold up, which you can write by hand;
• feather boas, bow ties, moustaches on sticks;
• a few themed items: a microphone for a karaoke night, a veil for a hen party, Santa hats at Christmas.

One practical detail: put a small table or basket at hand height, next to the backdrop but out of shot, so props do not end up on the floor.

Matching the decor to the printed frame

The printed frame around the photos is what guests take home. When the backdrop, the props and the template speak the same language, the prints instantly look more polished. The simplest method: start from the frame and carry two or three of its colours into the decor.

For an outdoor party, Bunting draws an arch of pennants that you can extend with real bunting behind your guests. A rustic wedding with Burlap calls for a natural fabric or wooden backdrop. For a glittery night, Golden Sparkles pairs with a gold curtain. And if the decor is already chosen, the editor lets you change the background and each of the design’s colours to match it; our guide to customising a photo booth template shows how.

Ideas by occasion

• Wedding: greenery or light fabric backdrop, a few “Just married” signs, flower crowns; frames in the rustic wedding or boho wedding collections.
• Birthday: giant balloons in the party colours, age numbers, party hats; see the birthday party collection.
• Christening or baby shower: pastel tones, balloons, small, gentle signs; see the pastel christening collection.
• Party or New Year’s Eve: sequin curtain, glasses, gold crowns; see the New Year’s Eve collection.
• Corporate event: backdrop in brand colours, understated props, signs with the event name; our corporate event photo booth guide covers the planning.

Making your own props

There is no need to buy a full kit: many props can be made in an evening. A few simple ideas:

• signs cut from thick card and written in marker pen, with phrases your guests will recognise;
• moustaches, lips or bow ties cut from card and stuck on wooden skewers;
• crowns of foliage or dried flowers, matching the bouquet or the centrepieces;
• empty card frames for guests to hold up in front of them.

Keep the colours of the printed frame in mind: two or three shades are enough to keep the prints consistent. Our DIY photo booth guide has more ideas for building your own setup.

Lighting, the forgotten prop

The finest backdrop and props are wasted in poor light. Soft, steady lighting facing your guests avoids harsh shadows and dark faces. If the photo booth has no built-in flash, a diffused lamp or a ring light is enough. Take a few test shots before guests arrive, at the time of day when the party will be in full swing, and check the prints rather than the screen: prints always come out a little darker than they look on screen, especially with deep or glittery backgrounds.

The frame, the final touch

Once the decor is ready, the printed frame completes it: names, date, party colours. You personalise it online, with no account, then download a high-resolution PNG overlay ready for your photo booth; our guide to choosing a photo booth print size helps you choose between a 4×6 print and a strip. Customising Bunting takes a few minutes.