Why Some Photo Booths Use iPads — And Why We Don’t
Walk through enough events and you’ll see it: two booths, both labeled “photo booth,” but completely different experiences.
One has a built-in ring light and a tablet on a tripod. The other has studio lighting, a DSLR, and someone making small adjustments between groups.
They both technically do the same thing — take photos — but how they do it, and how it feels for the guest, is very different.
Here’s what we’ve learned after seeing both in action.
iPads Make Things Easy, But Not Always Better
There’s a reason so many photo booths use iPads. They’re portable. They’re quick to set up. They can handle basic functions like taking a photo, adding a filter, and even texting it to guests. For some events, that’s enough.
But when photo quality matters — or when guests expect something that feels a little more polished — that setup can fall short.
The built-in iPad camera wasn’t designed for group portraits or low light. The lighting is often harsh or too flat. The angle’s off. And when the photos get printed (if they even can be), they sometimes look more like a screenshot than a keepsake.
The Difference Is Most Noticeable in Low Light (Which Is… Most Events)
Weddings. Indoor parties. Holiday events after dark. These are not ideal conditions for a tablet camera.
iPad booths can work fine in bright, evenly lit rooms, but most events don’t look like that. In low light, photo quality tends to drop. Faces lose detail. Movement gets blurry. The flash is either too much or not enough.
DSLR cameras with proper lighting setups are built for exactly these conditions. They handle shadows, skin tones, and contrast much more naturally.
iPads Are Fine for Casual Events, But Consider Your Goals
If you’re running a casual party where the booth is more about quick laughs and Instagram stories, an iPad-based booth might do the job.
But if your event is formal, styled, or you’re planning to keep and share the photos afterward, it’s worth asking about the equipment being used. Not all booths are designed for the same outcome.
Some focus on fun, fast, and shareable. Others are more about high-quality prints, a professional feel, and seamless guest experience.
Neither one is “better” in every case. It just depends on what you’re looking for.
A Few Things to Ask Before You Book Any Booth
What kind of camera does it use? (DSLR or iPad/tablet?)
How is it lit? (Ring light, softbox, ambient?)
Are prints included? And if so, how are they printed?
Do guests get digital copies?
Is there someone on-site to help, or is it self-serve?
Knowing what matters to you — photo quality, convenience, interactivity, design — can help narrow down what kind of booth fits your event best.
5. We Want Your Guests to Feel Something
At the end of the day, this isn’t about specs. It’s about experience.
We’ve watched people go from camera-shy to fully unleashed in a matter of minutes. We’ve seen parents get in the booth with their kids and leave with a photo they didn’t know they needed. We’ve seen best friends come back for round four — same pose, different props, huge smiles.
That doesn’t happen because of an iPad. It happens because the space feels intentional. The lighting feels good. And the photos feel worth printing.
That’s what we care about.
Final Thought
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some booths are designed for quick, self-serve snapshots. Others aim for something closer to a mini studio experience.
We lean toward the latter. Not because it’s easier, but because we think great photos are worth the extra effort.
If you’re looking for a booth that blends clean design with high-quality photos and a low-stress guest experience, feel free to check out our packages or browse the gallery.
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