Introduction: 5-minute Photo Booth
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About: A hubby and wife duo from Toronto who enjoy exploring and creating. Sparked by interests in food, technology, cultures and the 'good life', this teacher and evil genius team love to share their ideas with the …
With all the components ready, this DIY photo booth literally takes 5 minutes to set up. So what do we need?
• Android tablet or phone
• Standard camera tripod
• Tripod adapter for your Android device
• Party PhotoBooth app
Let's get started!
• Android tablet or phone
• Standard camera tripod
• Tripod adapter for your Android device
• Party PhotoBooth app
Let's get started!
Step 1: Install Party PhotoBooth
On your Android device, install the Party PhotoBooth app from Google Play. Launch the app to configure how you want your photo booth to appear.
Step 2: Configure Instant Upload (optional)
By default, photo strips produced by Party PhotoBooth are saved to your Android device and can be found in the picture gallery. You may optionally connect your Facebook and Dropbox accounts to have the photo strips uploaded as they are created, and guests can be notified of where to find their photos.
If a network connection is available when the photos are taken, the photo strips will be posted immediately. Otherwise, they are scheduled to be posted once a network connection becomes available on your device.
If a network connection is available when the photos are taken, the photo strips will be posted immediately. Otherwise, they are scheduled to be posted once a network connection becomes available on your device.
Step 3: Enter Kiosk Mode
Set a passcode and enter Kiosk mode, which keeps the photo booth UI in the foreground, so your guests will not accidentally exit the app.
To exit the app, press & hold the top right corner and enter the passcode you set. If you forget the passcode, power off the device and reboot.
The software setup is done. Let's get to the hardware!
To exit the app, press & hold the top right corner and enter the passcode you set. If you forget the passcode, power off the device and reboot.
The software setup is done. Let's get to the hardware!
Step 4: Select a Tripod Adapter
A sturdy tripod mount is especially important for us since capturing of the photos is triggered by a touch on the screen. I have read through a lot of reviews about the many adapters on the market, then finally decided on the family of mounts made by iStabilizer. I purchased the Mount XL for my Sony Xperia ZL, and the tabMount for my 7-inch and 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tabs. Both are very well built and performed wonderfully with our setup.
For smaller phones, iStabilizer also makes the Mount. The choice of tripod adapter is up to you, you just need to make sure whatever adapter you choose does not cover the camera of your device ;)
For smaller phones, iStabilizer also makes the Mount. The choice of tripod adapter is up to you, you just need to make sure whatever adapter you choose does not cover the camera of your device ;)
Step 5: Put It All Together
From your standard tripod, take the part that normally attaches to your camera and attach it to your tripod-tablet/phone adapter instead. Fit the assembly onto the tripod and your DIY photo booth is ready for use at the party!
Step 6: A Few Useful Tips
1. Lighting. Make sure the area where you place the photo booth is well illuminated. In good lighting conditions, even that front-facing camera on your Android device will shoot great pictures!
2. Background. Wallpapers with subtle patterns illuminated with a spotlight work very well. If you find that at the venue, it will save you a lot of time making a background and figuring out how to stand it up.
3. Signage. It always helps to let guests know what this tablet on a tripod is doing here. Yes, putting a bunch of props beside it makes it pretty self-explanatory, but having a simple sign doesn't hurt. If your photo booth area is hidden at some corner, make signs that point to it or have your MC announce that a photo booth exists.
4. Power. Wouldn't it suck if the battery on your tablet/phone runs out halfway through the event? Keep your device plugged in, recharge it during down times, prepare two devices, or keep one of these portable batteries plugged in throughout the event. I am sure you can figure something out!
2. Background. Wallpapers with subtle patterns illuminated with a spotlight work very well. If you find that at the venue, it will save you a lot of time making a background and figuring out how to stand it up.
3. Signage. It always helps to let guests know what this tablet on a tripod is doing here. Yes, putting a bunch of props beside it makes it pretty self-explanatory, but having a simple sign doesn't hurt. If your photo booth area is hidden at some corner, make signs that point to it or have your MC announce that a photo booth exists.
4. Power. Wouldn't it suck if the battery on your tablet/phone runs out halfway through the event? Keep your device plugged in, recharge it during down times, prepare two devices, or keep one of these portable batteries plugged in throughout the event. I am sure you can figure something out!