Drop-Off vs. Hosted Photo Booth: Which One Fits Your Party?

The short answer

The table is the choice in one place. See both packages for the full cards, or get a quote when the event is outside a standard booking. This is the same photo booth rental in Hampton Roads.

What Drop-Off Digital includes

We deliver the booth, set it up before your start time, and pick it up afterward. Your guests run the touchscreen during the booked 3 hours.

Drop-Off includes remote phone help during your booked rental hours. We provide the event-day number before your event. An on-site attendant is not included.

On Drop-Off Digital, a props kit is $75 before tax and a standard backdrop is $75 before tax. You can book this package with neither.

Printed photos are not included. Guests share by text or email. For new bookings, your event gallery is available for three calendar months from your event date. Download and save your photos before the access period ends.

What Hosted Digital includes

Hosted Digital is $499 for 3 hours plus tax. An attendant stays for those hours, helps guests get started, and keeps the line moving. An extra hour is $85 before tax on either package.

Hosted Digital includes the props kit and one standard backdrop.

A custom backdrop is $295 before tax on either package. It needs 30 days of notice. A standard backdrop and a custom backdrop are not combined on one booking.

If you need the booth set up early or closed during part of your event, for example during dinner or speeches, idle time is billed at $50 per hour. Idle time is not service time.

Which one for your event

Match the package to the party.

Questions to ask yourself

How many guests are coming, and is it a wedding? What ages will use the booth? Will someone watch it the whole time? Is the plan casual, or does it include dinner or speeches? Then check the space.

One standard 120V outlet within 50 feet of the booth, and a level area about 10 by 10 feet with 8 foot clearance. We bring the extension cords.

Cost difference in plain numbers

Hosted Digital is $149 more than Drop-Off Digital before tax. Drop-Off Digital with the props kit and a standard backdrop is $500 before tax. Hosted Digital with those add-ons is $499 before tax. Hosted Digital with those add-ons is $1 less than Drop-Off Digital with those add-ons before tax. Your quote adds Virginia sales tax at 6%. The photo booth rental cost page lists these same prices. See both packages before you book, or get a quote if the date needs one.

How to reserve

You reserve the date on the booking page. Opening this page does not book the date or charge a card. The rental terms cover the retainer, cancellation and reschedule.

FAQ

What is the difference between Drop-Off and Hosted?

Drop-Off Digital is $350 for 3 hours, and your guests run it. Hosted Digital is $499 for 3 hours, with an attendant, props and a standard backdrop. Every wedding, and any other event over 150 guests, books Hosted Digital.

Is Drop-Off hard for guests to use?

No. Guests start on the touchscreen and take the photo themselves. Drop-Off includes remote phone help during your booked rental hours. We provide the event-day number before your event. An on-site attendant is not included.

Who is responsible for the booth during a Drop-Off rental?

You are responsible for damage to the booth, camera, equipment, props or backdrop caused by you or your guests, beyond normal wear. A props kit that is mostly missing at pickup is billed a flat replacement of $75 after the event. The military discount does not apply to that replacement. We handle our own equipment; guests use props at their own risk.

Do both include delivery and setup?

Both packages use the same delivery rule. Delivery, setup and pickup included throughout the Peninsula and Southside Hampton Roads. Norfolk and Virginia Beach are included. Trips beyond Hampton Roads are quoted separately. Setup and pickup sit outside the booked hours.

Are props included?

Hosted Digital includes the props kit and one standard backdrop. On Drop-Off Digital, a props kit is $75 before tax and a standard backdrop is $75 before tax. You can book Drop-Off Digital with neither.

Is Hosted worth it for a kids party?

For many kids parties, Drop-Off Digital is enough when an adult stays near the booth. Guests use the touchscreen on their own. Choose Hosted Digital when the children are young or nobody can watch the booth while you host the party.

What is idle time?

If you need the booth set up early or closed during part of your event, for example during dinner or speeches, idle time is billed at $50 per hour. Idle time is not service time.

How do I reserve?

A 25% retainer is due at booking and is non-refundable. It reserves your date and is credited toward your total. The balance is due 14 days before the event, or upon retainer payment if you book after that deadline. It is charged automatically to the payment method saved at booking. You may cancel at any time; the retainer is not refunded. If you cancel more than 14 days before the event, no balance is owed. Within 14 days, the full balance is owed. You may reschedule once at no charge to any available date within 12 months; the retainer transfers to the new date. Reschedule requests must reach us at least 14 days before the event.