5 Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About Owning a Photo Booth

Everyone seem to be jumping into Photo booth businesses these days. Weddings, big corporate shindigs, wild birthday bashes… you name it, someone’s hauling in one of those big shiny boxes and charging folks for goofy pics.

At first glance, it feels like easy money. Buy a booth, show up, and watch the cash flow, right? Yeah, well, not so fast. If you’re actually thinking about plunking down your savings, you better know there’s a mess of hidden costs waiting to ambush you that nobody mentions in those cheesy “six-figure side gig” ads.

Breaking Down the Stuff that Sneak Up Your Profits If You’re Not Careful:

1. Keeping Up with The Software Game 

Look, the pretty touchscreen magic? That runs on software, and it’s never just “one and done.” Most setups come with a license to get you rolling, but after that? Surprise! More fees for updates, new templates, online galleries, you name it. Some companies get real nickle-and-dimey. Suddenly you’re paying subscriptions like it’s Netflix for photo booths. Pro-tip: hound the vendor about exactly what’s included, what’s extra, and whether you can bail and use different software if they get greedy.

2. Stuff Breaks—A Lot  

Let’s be real—printers jam, touchscreens go wonky, lighting gets flickery, and some wild wedding guest will absolutely knock your camera off its stand at least once. Every little part, from cables to ink to God-knows-what, is a potential money pit. And every time your gear flunks out, that’s an event you’re NOT getting paid for. So, sock away a stash just for repairs and teach yourself some basic fixes unless you like panicking at 10 p.m. mid-reception.

3. Props Are Basically Disposable 

Everyone loves funky hats and feather boas… until they disappear or get trashed by the end of the night. Plus, if you wanna impress those fussy corporate types, your stuff better look sharp—not like some dollar store disaster. Props and backdrops aren’t just “one and done.” You’ll keep burning money replacing, updating, and restocking, unless you want your booth to look stuck in 2009. Maybe skip the cheap plasticky stuff and go for stuff that doesn’t fall apart immediately.

4. Hauling Stuff Sucks (& Costs a Fortune) 

These things are HEAVY and awkward—good luck shoving a full rig into your sedan. Soon enough, you’ll need a van, serious cases, moving blankets, and probably a storage space big enough to house your gear when you’re not on the road. And don’t forget the gas, tolls, parking downtown, whatever. You ignoring this in your budget? Rookie mistake.

5. Nobody Shows Up Unless You Shout About It 

You could have the flashiest, most Instagram-worthy booth on the planet, but if nobody knows you exist, have fun sitting at home every weekend. Website? Ads? Trade shows? Branded junk? All cost real money, and all necessary. Don’t try to “go viral”—get a marketing plan and pour some of your budget into it, or prepare to collect dust.

So yeah, a booth can rake in the cash but only if you’re not living in la-la-land about the true expenses. Plan for these invisible money-suckers and price yourself accordingly. Seriously—it’s the difference between a side hustle you brag about, and a “business” that eats your wallet and sanity. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.