Photo Booth Types Explained: Open Air, Enclosed, Mirror

Walk into any wedding fair and you will find stands offering what look like the same thing under very different names: vintage, glam, magic, selfie, open-air, 360. Understanding the types of photo booth on offer is the quickest way to cut through the jargon and decide what actually suits your event. This guide explains each main format, how it works for guests, where it shines and where it struggles, then gives you a simple way to choose.

The big picture: three core formats

Almost every booth you will be offered falls into one of three families:

1. Enclosed booths, with walls or curtains around the guests.
2. Open-air booths, with no enclosure and usually a backdrop.
3. Mirror booths, with a large touchscreen mirror that prompts guests.

Beyond these, there are specialist formats such as 360 video platforms, GIF booths and roaming systems. Many suppliers build several of these on similar hardware, so the differences are often in the experience rather than the camera.

Enclosed photo booths

What they are

The classic. An enclosed booth is a cabin, often with a curtain or door, containing a camera, lighting and a seat or standing space. Some are built to resemble old-fashioned street booths, while others are modern panelled units.

What guests experience

Guests step inside, pull the curtain and pose, usually in a short series of shots. The sense of privacy encourages playfulness, and the sound of the curtain closing is half the charm for many people.

Advantages

• Strong sense of fun and nostalgia, especially vintage-styled units.
• Privacy means shy guests are more likely to join in.
• Consistent lighting, as the booth controls its own environment.
• The unit itself becomes a talking point and a decorative feature.

Drawbacks

• Smaller capacity per shot; typically a few people at a time.
• Larger, heavier equipment, so delivery and access may be harder.
• Queues can build at busy moments.
• Less suitable for large group photos.

Best suited to

Weddings with a vintage or retro theme, smaller parties, and events where guests are comfortable with a bit of silliness.

Open-air photo booths

What they are

An open-air booth removes the walls. A camera, flash or ring light and a touchscreen sit on a stand in front of a backdrop, and guests simply step into the frame. Some versions look like a sleek column, others like a professional photographer’s setup.

What guests experience

Guests pose in front of the camera in full view of the room, which often makes the booth a social hub. Because there is no enclosure, a larger group can fit in.

Advantages

• Room for bigger groups, which suits family and team photos.
• Quicker set-up and smaller footprint for many models.
• Customisable backdrops, which helps with branding and themes.
• Easier to move through awkward venues.

Drawbacks

• Less privacy, so some guests may feel self-conscious.
• Background clutter can appear if the backdrop is too small.
• Lighting is affected by ambient light, so placement matters.

Best suited to

Corporate events, large weddings, school proms, festivals and busy venues where throughput matters.

Mirror photo booths

What they are

A mirror booth is a tall frame with a mirrored glass front and a built-in touchscreen. When a guest approaches, on-screen messages and animations guide them through the shoot. It looks like a mirror until it springs to life.

What guests experience

Interactive prompts, playful animations and sometimes the option to sign or draw on the final print on screen. The experience feels more like an interactive display than a booth.

Advantages

• Elegant, modern look that suits formal venues.
• Interactive prompts make it intuitive even for first-timers.
• Often supports digital features such as instant sharing.
• Strong visual appeal, especially at weddings and galas.

Drawbacks

• Often pricier than a basic open-air setup.
• Needs power and a stable floor, and can be heavy and fragile to move.
• The mirror surface shows fingerprints and reflections, so positioning matters.

Best suited to

Weddings, black-tie events, brand launches and venues where design matters.

Photo Booth Ideas for Weddings: Props and Layouts

Other formats worth knowing

360-degree video platforms

Guests stand on a platform while a camera arm rotates around them, creating a slow-motion spinning video. They are popular for parties and brand events. They need considerable floor space and are better suited to energetic crowds than formal dinners.

GIF and boomerang booths

These produce short looping clips rather than prints. They are strong for social sharing but do not give guests a physical keepsake unless the supplier combines them with printing.

Roaming or “ghost” cameras

A host walks around with a camera and printer, taking pictures at tables. This works at seated events where guests will not leave their seats, but it is less of a destination than a fixed booth.

Green screen and virtual backdrop booths

Guests choose a background that is digitally replaced. The results can be fun, though edge quality depends on lighting and equipment. If you want this option, ask for sample images from real events.

DIY and self-service kiosks

These are unattended units sometimes found at venues or hired as cheaper options. Without a host, there is no one to fix a paper jam or encourage guests, so consider that trade-off carefully.

Side-by-side comparison

Factor	Enclosed	Open-air	Mirror
Group size	Small	Large	Medium
Privacy	High	Low	Medium
Footprint	Larger, heavier	Compact	Medium, tall
Look and feel	Retro, cosy	Flexible, modern	Elegant, interactive
Typical use	Themed parties	Corporate, large events	Weddings, galas
Backdrop branding	Limited	Strong	Limited to on-screen graphics

Treat the table as a guide only; individual models vary considerably between suppliers.

How to choose the right type

Work through these questions in order:

1. How many people will use it at once? If you expect large groups, favour open-air.
2. What is the venue like? Narrow staircases or small rooms suit compact setups.
3. What mood do you want? Vintage cabins for charm, mirror booths for elegance, open-air for practical fun.
4. Do you need branding? Open-air with a custom backdrop usually gives the most flexibility.
5. Do guests want a physical print or a digital file? Check what each format produces.
6. What is your budget? Compare like for like quotes; our guide on quotes shows how.

How to Get Accurate Photo Booth Quotes

Questions to ask about any booth type

• Can I see photos taken with this exact model at a real event?
• What is its footprint and how much power does it need?
• How many people fit in a shot?
• Can the print layout be customised?
• What happens if the equipment fails mid-event?
• Does the price include an attendant and delivery?

A supplier who knows their equipment well will answer these easily and honestly.

Features that cut across all types

Whichever format you pick, a handful of features can make or break the experience. It is worth asking about each one.

Camera and lighting quality

Pictures are only as good as the lighting. Ring lights, softboxes and built-in flash each create a different look. Ask to see unedited sample photos taken in venues similar to yours, not only polished promotional images. A booth that looks great in a bright studio can behave differently in a dim ballroom.

Speed of printing

Dye-sublimation printers are common because they produce dry, durable prints quickly, but speed varies by model. If you expect a long queue, ask how many sessions the booth can run per hour and how long each print takes. Faster printing keeps the line moving.

Customisation

Print layouts, overlays, backdrops and on-screen branding can often be tailored to your event. Check what is included and what costs extra, and ask to see a proof before the day.

Reliability and backup

Even the best equipment can fail. Reputable suppliers carry spare paper, ink and sometimes a backup camera or printer. Ask what the plan is if something goes wrong in the middle of your event.

Accessibility

Think about guests who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. Open-air and mirror booths are usually easier to approach than cabins with a step or narrow entrance. Ask about screen height and whether the host can adjust the camera for seated guests.

Typical guest capacity and flow

How many people can pass through in an evening depends on the booth format and how long each session takes. An enclosed cabin takes a small group at a time, while an open-air booth lets larger groups pose and move on quickly. At a large event, one booth may not be enough. Some suppliers offer a second unit or a “double booth” setup, which can be worth considering if you have more than a couple of hundred guests.

FAQs

Which type of photo booth is best for a wedding?

There is no single best option. Enclosed vintage booths suit retro or relaxed weddings, mirror booths suit formal or modern celebrations, and open-air booths work well where you expect large groups. Match the type to your venue size and guest list.

Are open-air booths cheaper than enclosed ones?

Often they are, because the hardware is simpler and easier to transport, but pricing depends on the supplier, package and date. Compare written quotes rather than assuming.

Do mirror booths take better photos?

Not necessarily. Image quality depends on the camera, lighting and operator. The main difference is the guest experience and the look of the unit.

Can a booth print and share digitally at the same time?

Many can. Ask whether digital sharing is included and how photos are delivered, for example by email, text or an online gallery.

Conclusion

Photo booths differ less in the pictures they take than in how guests use them. Enclosed booths bring privacy and nostalgia, open-air booths suit crowds and branding, and mirror booths add polish and interactivity. Think about your venue, guest numbers and mood, then request written quotes for two formats so you can compare both price and experience before you commit.