10 Gala Photo Booth Ideas from Our 5 STAR Team: Elevate Your Next Event

Looking for gala photobooth ideas that will elevate the overall guest experience? Whether you’re a guest, an event planner, or a vendor, galas are wonderful events to be a part of. But let’s be honest—the guest experience is the most important experience.

This is why 5 STAR Memories consistently recommends photo booths for events. They fully elevate your guest experience on multiple levels. If you’re looking to upgrade your guest experience for another event, be sure to check out our blog. We have custom tips for various event types, including how to elevate your trade booth experience.

There is a lot of planning that goes into coordinating a gala. Featuring a photo booth not only provides an interactive experience, but it also gives your guests a great reason to leave their tables. Plus, they walk away with a one-of-a-kind keepsake in hand.

And yes—the keepsake can be posted to social media, too!

Today’s photo booths offer more than just physical photos. They provide shareable content your guests can upload directly to socials. The high-quality photos can be customized with monograms, logos, or backdrops. That makes photo booths perfect for galas—you can match them to any theme.

If you’re looking to upgrade your guest experience for another event, be sure to check out our blog, as we have custom tips for various event types, including how to elevate your trade booth experience.

1. The Glam Booth: A Red-Carpet Experience

Our Glam Booth is not just a clever name. It’s truly the red carpet experience of photo booths. This booth features high-end lighting, sleek design, and flawless edits. Your guests walk away with an A-list photo. When you offer something like The Glam Booth, it enhances the event. The elegant aesthetic elevates the luxury factor. Your guests will feel like celebrities while using it.

Pro Tip: Place The Glam Booth near the entrance. That way, guests can take their photos upon arriving, while they’re fresh and looking their best.

2. The Spotlight Booth: Professional Studio-Quality Photos

With sensational lighting and studio-grade results, The Spotlight Booth is one of our best. It’s the perfect choice for formal and corporate events. This booth provides polished, tastefully edited, professional portraits.

Pro Tip: This photo booth has an elegant look. Set up a lounge-style area with chic furniture nearby. It enhances the vibe and gives guests an elevated experience.

3. 360 Photo Booth: Immersive Video Experiences for Your Gala

The 360 Photo Booth is a great option for your guests. As the name suggests, it provides a 360 photo and video experience. Guests receive dynamic, slow-motion videos they’ll love sharing right away.

The interactive element is next-level. Guests are literally in the center of the action. And because 360 booths are less common, many guests haven’t experienced one before.

That’s what makes it so fun and memorable. Best of all, guests walk away with instantly shareable content that promotes your event or brand. It’s a win-win.

Pro Tip: Dedicate ample space around this booth. Guests will want room to move and record group videos. That space makes all the difference.

Check out our 360 Photo Booth services here. 

4. Custom Backdrops: Tailor the Booth to Your Theme

Custom backdrops are a game changer in the photo booth world. The best part? They’re custom—fully tailored to match your event’s branding or theme.

Whether you want something branded, elegant, wild, or formal, backdrops can match your gala’s aesthetic perfectly. They also make photos look more polished and professional. Guests love using the booth even more when there’s a unique, personalized backdrop involved.

Pro Tip: Work with a designer to integrate the backdrop seamlessly with your event décor. Custom backdrops are also a great way to show off your logo or theme, helping with brand recognition.

Are you into custom décor? Why stop at the backdrops? 5 STAR Memories also offers customizable balloons in addition to our customizable backdrops! Check out our balloon services here. 

5. Interactive Props: Encouraging Playful Moments

Guests absolutely love using props in their photos—especially as the evening goes on. Fun, themed props can make all the difference in the overall booth experience.

Props don’t have to be standard sunglasses or signs. Get creative. Choose items that tie into your theme or reflect your organization’s mission. The more thoughtful your props, the more fun guests will have.

Pro Tip: Want ideas? Browse our Instagram to see some of our favorite prop setups for past events.

6. Social Media-Integrated Photo Booths: Amplify Your Reach

Today’s photo booths go beyond printouts. Guests can now share their photos instantly, right from the booth. This builds engagement and helps promote your event while it’s still happening.

A simple sign encouraging guests to share their photos can go a long way. The extra reminder often makes all the difference in getting more social traction.

Pro Tip: Use a unique event hashtag to help track guest posts and create a cohesive gallery across platforms.

7. Branded photo overlays: a great marketing tool for your brand!

Branded overlays are essential, especially for corporate or nonprofit galas. They allow you to showcase your logo or other key brand elements in a polished, subtle way.

When done well, overlays turn every photo into a professional marketing asset—one your guests are happy to share.

Pro Tip: Make sure your overlay matches your booth’s look and event theme. For example, use black and white overlays for a classic black-tie affair. Add a pop of color if you want your branding to stand out.

8. Green Screen Technology

Green screen tech adds a creative, playful touch to your photo booth. Guests can be instantly placed in exciting or imaginative backgrounds that reflect your theme.

It’s a hit at any event—and it gives guests more control over their photo experience.

Pro Tip: Offer a few background options. The more choices guests have, the more excited they’ll be to try them all.

9. GIF & Boomerang Booths: Animated Fun

GIFs and Boomerangs are huge right now—and they’re incredibly shareable. Guests love watching their motion-based moments loop back in fun, energetic clips.

It’s a lighthearted way to encourage creative poses and interaction. These booths are especially popular with younger crowds and social media enthusiasts.

Pro Tip: Encourage guests to move big and have fun with their gestures. The results are always better when there’s motion and energy!

10. Memory books: 

A photo booth memory book is one of the most meaningful gala photobooth ideas. As guests use the booth, they receive two prints: one to keep and one to place in a keepsake book.

Guests can write messages beside their photos, creating a live scrapbook during the event. It’s a beautiful way to preserve memories from the night—and a thoughtful gift for hosts or donors.

Pro Tip: Have an attendant assist with placing photos and collecting messages. This ensures a smooth, organized experience from start to finish.

Which gala photobooth ideas will you implement next?

Photo booths are truly an exceptional way to elevate the event experience for your guests, and you can do it in so many different ways. 

From the 360 Video Booth, the Glam Booth, or even our GIF options, 5 STAR Memories has the photo booth experience that is perfect for your next event. Photo booths are all about fun, interactive guest experiences that provide a keepsake as well! There are props, photo book keepsakes, branding/theme alignment, and other great options to further enhance the use of the photo booth.

Give your guests a premium experience – we’re happy to consult with you, to guide you in the direction that makes the most sense for your next gala!

Looking for more gala photobooth ideas? 5 STAR Memories is here to help you design the perfect setup. We specialize in gala photobooth ideas that combine fun, elegance, and branding in one seamless experience.

Book 5 STAR Memories for your next gala event

Why choose 5 STAR Memories?

Expertly curated photo booth experiences for high-end, corporate, and non-profit galas.Our photo booths are an exceptional addition to any event or gala, as they add guest engagement, excitement, and a high level of sophistication. Contact us today to book a consultation.