How to Start a Photo Booth Business in the US?

Starting​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a photo booth business in the US is probably one of the most appealing low-capital investment opportunities in the event and entertainment sector. Because of the continuous increase in demand for weddings, corporate events, malls, brand activations, and the social media culture, photo booths have turned into a business model that can yield a high return on investment and combines art, technology, and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌service.

In this article, we are going to cover everything that you need to know to start a successful photo booth business in the US. We will talk about market research, equipment selection, branding, operations, scaling, and more. Besides that, we will use PDL (Guangzhou PDL Animation Technology Co., Ltd.) as a global example of a supplier that thousands of operators worldwide trust their products.

Reasons Why the Photo Booth Business Is Thriving in the US

The event industry in the US is worth billions of dollars annually, and photo booths being at the crossroads of:

• Experiential marketing
• Social media sharing
• Personal celebrations
• Interactive entertainment

People nowadays want more than just photos. They want experiences.

An up-to-date photo booth becomes:

• A way to get instant gratification (photoprints or digital sharing)
• A source of branded content for businesses
• A good fun memory for private parties
• A way to earn passive income for operators.

In comparison to restaurants or retail, the photo booth businesses offer:

• Greatly reduced startup costs
• No inventory risks
• Higher profit margins
• Work at your own time basis

Which is why those concepts can be:

• turned to full-time businesses
• used as weekend side hustles
• used as a passive income-generating kiosk

Step 1: Understand the Different Business Models

First, you must thoroughly understand different business models before purchasing any equipment.

1. Event Rental Model

You rent out booths for the following:

• Weddings
• Birthday parties
• Corporate events
• Trade shows

Average US prices:

• $500–$1,200 per event
• 3–5 events per week = good income

2. Fixed Location Model

Your business idea is to put the booths in:

• Shopping malls
• Tourist attractions
• Theme parks
• Airports

Your revenue can be generated through:

• Pay-per-use
• Advertising
• Brand partnerships

3.​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Franchise / Self-Service Studio

Imagine a place where:

• Themed selfie studio
• Instagram-style photo space

People pay only for sessions.

This method is extremely popular in:

• Los Angeles
• New York
• Miami
• Las Vegas

Step 2: Choose the Right Equipment

Having quality stuff is pretty crucial for your business to work well.

It's here where you can expect from sellers like PDL.

Basic info about PDL (Just a Real Company Example)

Their company profile according to the official website:

PDL (Guangzhou PDL Animation Technology Co., Ltd.) is a company that mainly focuses on R&D, manufacturing, and selling of:

• Theme photo booths
• Self-service photo kiosks
• Interactive selfie systems
• Customized photo studios

PDL came into existence in 2017. It has gained the title of a National High-Tech Enterprise, and its products have been shipped to over 160 countries.

PDL offers:

• Core technology developed in-house
• Software + hardware integration
• Custom design service
• The whole package to operators

Hence, they can be perfect partners for US startups that need reliable and scalable ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌equipment.

Step 3: Choose the Most Suitable Photo Booth

Among the different US market booth types the most popular are:

1. Traditional Enclosed Booth

• The classic style of the booth
• Excellent choice for privacy
• Wedding ceremonies represent a large part of demand

2. Open Air Booth

• DSLR camera
• Ring light
• Customizable backdrops

3. Mirror Booth

• Touchscreen mirror
• First-class experience
• High-end events

4. Theme Photo Booth

This is the area where PDL is the strongest.

Examples:

• Retro​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ elevator booth
• Vintage train booth
• Kawaii selfie booth
• Brand-themed booths

Theme booths generate a lot of user engagement and they are great ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌for:

• The installation of malls
• Brand campaigns
• Tourist attractions

Step 4: Convey Your Brand

Most beginners do what makes their failure inevitable – they imitate.

Answer the question first:

Why ME?

Branding ideas:

• Setting: wedding only, corporate only, kids only, etc.
• Custom-made props
• Working with locally based businesses
• Unique booth design
• Instagram-first experience

PDL makes it possible by:

• Giving clients the chance to build their brand through the custom appearance of the booth
• Branded UI
• Logo incorporation
• Software personalization

Hence, you are selling a branded experience rather than a machine.

Step 5: Legal Setup in the US

Your legal necessities include:

• LLC or Corporation
• EIN number
• Business bank account
• Event insurance
• Sales tax registration

A typical startup budget:

• $200 to $500 on legal setup
• $150 monthly insurance
• No inventory

Step 6: Marketing Your Photo Booth Business

This is the place where most money is made or lost.

Top marketing channels:

• Google Maps(local SEO)
• Instagram & TikTok
• Wedding platforms (TheKnot, WeddingWire)
• Event planners
• Mall partnerships
• Facebook groups

Pro tip:

Your best marketing is your own booth photos.

Every event is turned into a:

• Portfolio
• Social proof
• Lead generator

Real User Feedback (Based on PDL Client Reviews)

At PDL’s official customer feedback page:

“There’s such a wide variety of filters and gorgeous effects — I had so much fun!”

“The product and service quality is excellent — I will definitely come back again!”

Both statements reflect the two most vital success factors:

• User experience
• Equipment reliability

Positive reviews from a satisfied crowd mean free marketing.

Most Common Use Cases in the US

Weddings

• 70% of US couples currently have a photo booth at their wedding
• A perfect upsell for planners

Corporate Events

• Brand activations
• Product launches
• Internal team building

Shopping Malls

• Pay-per-use booths
• Seasonal promotions

Tourist Attractions

• Theme parks
• Museums
• City landmarks

Schools & Universities

• Graduation
• Prom
• Orientation

Partnerships That Create Growth

Smart operators don’t work alone.

Here's a list of the best partners:

• Wedding planners
• Event venues
• Mall operators
• Tourism boards
• Marketing agencies
• Brand managers

PDL itself is partnering with tens of thousands of merchants worldwide and assisting operators in developing long-term revenue channels.

Revenue Potential (Realistic Numbers)

A part-time operator:

• 8 events/month × $700 = $5,600

Medium operator:

• 20 events/month × $800 = $16,000

Mall kiosk:

• $30–$80 per hour
• 10 hours/day = $300–$800/day

Theme studio:

• $20/session × 40 sessions/day = $800/day

There is the evidence of which many operators scale up to:

• multiple booths
• franchise models
• regional networks

Technology Trends - A Must to Follow

The new generation of booths should be:

• Capable of QR code download
• Supporting cloud storage
• Using AI filters
• Employing face tracking
• AR props
• Allowing social sharing

PDL is heavily focusing on software development, which is why its systems are highly future-proof and Western market competitive.

FAQ

Q1: What about starting costs?

A: Simple setups are usually in a range of $3,000–$10,000, while theme-based booths cost $15,000+.

Q2: Is there a need to have technical skills?

A: Not necessarily. These days, booths are generally user-friendly and fully ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌automated.

Q3:​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Can one person operate?

A: Yes. It's a common thing for people to do their own solo business in this field.

Q4: How fast is ROI?

A: Usually, it takes 2-6 months for a rental type of a business to return its investment.

Q5: Is it scalable?

A: Definitely. Adding a booth is like an "anytime you want" option.

Q6: Can I customize for my brand?

A: Sure! PDL, for example, can provide you with totally customized solutions.

Q7: Is this business seasonal?

A: Yes, weddings take place mostly in summer, however, malls and brands are working all year round anyway.

Why PDL Is a Strong Supplier for US Startups

PDL has been export to 160+ countries

The company has an
independent research and development team

PDL's designs have been patented

The company offers software and hardware integration

The company has exhibition presence (IAAPA, DEAL, etc.)

PDL offers one-stop business solutions

Final Thoughts: Is a Photo Booth Business Worth It?

If you want a business that is:

• Low risk
• High margin
• Creative
• Scalable
• Future-proof

That’s a yes.

Especially in the US market, which is still a long way from being fully saturated:

• Small cities
• Suburban areas
• Themed experiences
• Brand activations

Choosing photo booth business with the right equipment, strong branding, and a dependable partner like PDL, is probably one of the smartest lifestyle businesses thus decade.

People don’t just want to take a picture. They want to make the moment ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌they