As seen on TikTok / Instagram and Brides, if you’re looking for a different photo booth experience, try our Portrait Lounge!
What is a Portrait Lounge? A Portrait Lounge or Pop Up Studio is a designated area at your party or wedding, made specifically for photos. This service includes a professional photographer who will capture your guests in a more studio-like environment. This could include just a photographer and their camera or it can be a full on studio setup with additional strobe lighting and equipment. This lounge can be a part of your overall decor or it can be made specifically as a portrait station by your event designer or florist. The best part of this concept is that it allows for more dynamic photo experiences for you and your guests that have the possibility of being filled with fun quirky moments or it can be treated like an authentic studio experience with beautiful portraits.
Main differences between a Photo Booth and Portrait Lounge service?
- Props – Starting off easy with props, usually photo booth rentals include props that guests hold for their photos. However, it’s not something that’s provided with a Portrait Lounge since this experience is treated more like a studio session.
- Photographer – Most photo booth companies have trained photo attendants to help guests navigate through their sessions, however, they are not professional photographers. Most Portrait Lounges will have (should have) a professional portrait photographer who know how to pose and direct their guests in addition to having studio lighting experience for the best quality photos.
- Design – Photo Booth services usually offer different design templates with 1-4 photos in a single print out. In contrast, with a Portrait Lounge you’ll get one single photo design. Branding these photos can be an option.
Portrait Lounge, what you need to know:
- Price – First and foremost, the main misconception you’ll find online regarding the portrait lounge service is that is costs less than a photo booth. This is simply not true. Aside from the furniture & decor expenses, this service requires a professional photographer which will always cost more. Other factors that may affect prices is how big/professional of a setup you’re getting and whether you want onsite printing as well. Our Portrait Lounge rates start at $1100.
- Space – Most photo booth rentals require a minimum of 7-8ft square, however, with a Portrait Lounge there’s a lot more to consider. If you opt for just a photographer and camera (no studio lights) and a simple chair as your setup then you may be able to match the photo booth space. However, if your portrait lounge includes more furniture plus the studio lights & equipment then you may require more space.
- Fun – Know your guests! Portrait Lounges can be fun and dynamic but it depends on who you ask. If you have picture-loving friends then they may have the times of their lives posing for the perfect Instagram worthy shot! However, there are others who may find it intimidating and enjoy a more casual photo experience where they can just be silly, no pressure/ no expectations.
- Quality – Portrait Lounges can include a full on studio set up made to capture professional portraits or they can be completely casual for fun and candid shots. It’s up to you!
- Options – One of the best things about a Portrait Lounge is all the creative options available. You can opt for a simple DIY option or take advantage of your venue’s space & decor for the photos, as well as theme inspired setups for the ultimate photo op.
You’ve read it all and you’re ready to jump in on the Portrait Lounge experience? Here are some options we offer:
- Candid vs Studio Set Up – Depending on the vibe you’re going for, you can opt for a photographer and camera to capture more casual candid shots of your guests or you can go full Studio mode where we bring the studio to you. This means professional studio lighting and a portrait photographer that will guide and pose you for the best photographs.
- Branding vs No Branding – Complete your portrait experience with custom branding with your guests photos just like you would with a photo booth. We can add your monogram/names/logos to your photos for that extra touch. Or keep it simple and have the photos speak for themselves!
- Prints vs No Prints – Add beautiful 4×6 or 5×7 prints to your Portrait Lounge experience so that guests can take home the perfect keepsake. Because some photos will be frame worthy! Or if you’re on a budget, we have a digital only experience with an online photo gallery where guests can download and print their own photos through our gallery system or a local print shop.
- Instant Sharing vs Next Day Gallery – We offer the option to add instant sharing where guests can instantly receive their portrait via email, text or Airdrop. Or the budget friendly option is our Photo Gallery option which is provided the next day or at the end of night (WiFi Req’d) where guests can access the entire gallery via QR Code.
Want to learn more about our services, check out our Pop-Up Studio page or Contact Us today for more information. Find us on Instagram @MiamiPhotoBoothBoutique for behind the scenes and photos.