Photo booths come in two basic shapes. An open-air booth is a camera and lights facing a backdrop, open to the room. An enclosed booth is a private cabinet: guests step behind a curtain, sit down and get a strip from a slot outside. Each changes how guests use it. Here is how to choose.
Side by side
| Open-air | Enclosed | |
|---|---|---|
| Our booths | Glam Booth, 360 Booth | Vintage Booth |
| Group size | Big groups fit in front of the backdrop | A small group squeezes in behind the curtain |
| Feel | Social: the room watches and joins in | Private: guests let loose behind the curtain |
| Look | Studio-lit portraits against your backdrop | Classic black-and-white film-style strips; color or sepia too |
| As decor | Backdrop and lighting set the scene | The cabinet itself is a showpiece: wood-grain walls, red velvet curtain, checkered floor |
| 3 hours (weddings & parties) | From $1,250 | $3,750 |
When open-air wins
- Big groups: the whole bridal party, a team or a table of cousins fits in one shot.
- Energy in the room: people waiting in line watch the poses and get pulled in.
- Flattering portraits: the Glam Booth’s studio lighting and black-and-white look make everyone look their best.
- Video: the 360 Booth’s slow-motion clips are open-air by nature.
When enclosed wins
- Nostalgia: it’s the booth guests remember from arcades and diners, with strips that come out of the slot.
- Privacy: shy guests are braver behind a curtain, and the silly photos get sillier.
- A centerpiece: the cabinet looks like part of the decor, and it can be designed head to toe: a full vinyl wrap, the curtain, the floor, the touchscreen and the strip design.
- Brand events: a custom-wrapped enclosed booth is a photo op on its own.
A real example
At DARC Sport’s summer party at the Pink Motel in Sun Valley in July 2026, guests in jerseys and roller skates piled into the Vintage Booth and came out waving black-and-white strips. Read the DARC Sport case study.
Or both
For bigger events, pair them: a Glam Booth for group portraits on one side of the room and the Vintage Booth for the private, nostalgic moment on the other. Space and power needs for each booth are in our space and power guide. Comparing all four booths? Read Glam vs 360 vs Mochi vs Vintage.
Not sure which shape fits?
Tell us your venue and guest count, and we will recommend one.
Check your dateFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between an open-air and an enclosed photo booth?
An open-air booth is a camera and lights facing a backdrop, open to the room, so big groups fit and everyone can watch. An enclosed booth is a private cabinet with a curtain, where a small group sits inside and gets a strip from the slot outside.
Which is better for a wedding?
Open-air suits big groups and flattering portraits, like our Glam Booth. An enclosed booth like our Vintage Booth adds nostalgia, privacy and a showpiece cabinet. Larger weddings sometimes book both.
How many people fit in an enclosed photo booth?
A small group can squeeze in behind the curtain. For big groups, an open-air booth is the better fit.
Can an enclosed photo booth be customized?
Yes. Our Vintage Booth can be designed head to toe: a full vinyl wrap, the curtain, the floor, the touchscreen and the strip design.
How much does an enclosed photo booth cost?
Our Vintage Booth is $3,750 for 3 hours for weddings and parties. Open-air booths start at $1,250 for the Glam Booth.
Hitik Patel founded LA Glam Booth in 2022 after a decade behind the camera. His team has produced 1,000+ events and 250,000+ photos for couples and brands including UNIQLO, Netflix and Peacock.
