Chalk Studio’s post on Instagram [via @chalkak.studio – Instagram]
In today’s digital age, social media is not just a platform for sharing life updates—it’s a tool that shapes entire business industries. The photo booth industry is no exception. From the rise of Instagrammable moments to TikTok viral user-generated contents, social media has transformed the way people interact with and experience photo booths. Whether you’re an aspiring photo booth business owner or a photo booth lover, understanding the impact of social media on photo booth trends is essential. Let’s dive into how social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and others play a part in rising the popularity of photo booths.
The Power of Social Media
Life4cuts content on Instagram [via @life4cuts_official – Instagram]
Instagram’s Impact on Photo booths – Who doesn’t use Instagram? The ultimate social media platform with over 2.4 billion active users, has been a driving force behind the popularity of Korean photo booths. Aesthetically pleasing backdrops, quirky props, and creative photo filters make photo booths a natural fit for Instagram content. Customers flock to photo booths not only for the fun experience but also to capture those shareable, “Instagrammable” moments.
For photo booth businesses, Instagram is more than just a platform to post pictures—it’s an invaluable marketing tool. With a well-curated Instagram feed, businesses can attract customers by (1) showcasing their setups, (2) promoting themed events, (3) displaying real customer experiences and (4) building community. Moreover, stories and reels allow businesses to engage with their audience in real time, providing behind-the-scenes looks or live events that generate genuine excitement and FOMO (fear of missing out).
The viral fisheye lens photo booth [via @thearchivesbooth – Tiktok]
TikTok and Its Viral Effect – While Instagram focuses on aesthetics, TikTok is all about fun, realness, and creativity. This video-sharing platform has rapidly become a hub for photo booth trends to go viral, everyone can go viral, literally. Remember the rise of the Y2K and fisheye lens photo booths?
Rhode’s photo booth at Coachella [via @rhode – Tiktok ]
Or do you remember when Rhode’s photo booth went viral during Coachella? TikTok trends and the real-time content posting were one of the few key drivers in making photo booths even more popular worldwide.
The quick and engaging nature of TikTok videos makes it easy for users to share their photo booth experiences, contributing to a trend’s rapid spread. For example, customers post their quirky photos or videos taken inside themed photo booths, complete with special effects, and soon, thousands of users are watching, liking, and commenting. Photo Booths that incorporate these social-media-friendly features see huge boosts in popularity.
Photo booth user generated content/UGC [via @karenbehh – Tiktok]
User-Generated Content [UGC], The Heart of Photo Booth Marketing – One of the most powerful aspects of social media is its ability to encourage user-generated content (UGC). In the photobooth industry, UGC is essentially free advertising. Every time a customer posts their photobooth photos or videos to their personal Instagram or TikTok accounts, they’re promoting the business to their followers.
Encouraging users to share their photos and tag your business can lead to exponential visibility. Photobooth operators can enhance this effect by offering incentives, such as special discounts or giveaways for customers who tag them in posts. Moreover, using hashtags like #photoboothfun, #eventphotobooth, or location-specific tags can further boost the business's reach.
Matik Studios showing their photo booth setup teaser [via @matikstudios – Instagram]
Social Media’s Role in Driving Creative Photo Booth Trends – Social media platforms are also driving creativity within the photo booth industry. Themed photo booth setups—like retro, Y2K, and fisheye styles—are often inspired by viral social media challenges. Business owners and event planners use Instagram and TikTok trends to design unique photobooth experiences that are guaranteed to be a hit.
For example, TikTok challenges often inspire people to pose in specific ways, which has given rise to the high-angle and low-angle photo booth setups. Meanwhile, Instagram has fostered a love for aesthetically pleasing themes, like the vintage or transparent film strip photo booth, which evoke a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. P.s. we covered these trends in our previous article!
Sunnies Studios store opening featuring our photo booth [via @SunniesCoffee – Instagram]
Building a Photo booth Business Using Social Media – Social media isn’t just for trends—it’s a key tool for growing your photo booth business. By posting engaging content such as setup videos, customer reactions, and themed booth designs, you can build a strong online presence that attracts clients. Make sure to interact with your followers, respond to comments, and engage with other businesses or influencers to increase your visibility.
Collaborating with influencers, wedding planners, or event coordinators is another effective way to leverage social media for your business. Their reach can bring your photo booth to the attention of a wider audience, increasing bookings and brand awareness.
Key Takeaway – There’s no denying it—social media has and will continue to shape the future of the photo booth industry. Whether through Instagram’s focus on aesthetics or TikTok’s viral trends, photo booths are more popular and creative than ever before. For anyone passionate about photo booths or considering starting a business, embracing social media is no longer optional—it’s essential.