How many photos should you plan for a photo booth?
The short answer, measured at our real events: allow around 300 photos per event (median: 292), and for paper, plan 1.5 to 2 prints per guest. A wedding of 100 people = a package of 150 to 200 prints, and around 500 shots in total over the evening.
Here are the real figures, not estimates: the counters from 327 completed Badabooth events.
What 327 real events tell us
| Indicator | Measured value |
|---|---|
| Photos per event (median) | 292 |
| Photos per event (average) | 327 |
| Shots per guest stated at booking | ~5 |
| Record observed | 2,123 photos in one evening |
Two lessons:
1. Your guests take far more photos than they print. The shots (≈5 per guest stated at booking) include digital photos, GIFs and the failed attempts people laugh about and redo. That is why all our packages include unlimited digital photos: the counter only applies to paper.
2. The median hides big differences. A quiet corporate evening runs to 150 photos; a wild wedding goes past 800. The number one factor: where the booth is placed (we explain where to set it up).
The simple rule for your print package
For paper, the tried-and-tested rule: 1.5 to 2 prints per guest.
| Guests | Recommended package | Badabooth package |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 | 50 photos | 50 photos, €129 |
| 30 to 60 | 100 photos | 100 photos, €174 |
| 60 to 90 | 150 photos | 150 fast photos, €244 |
| 90 to 150 | 300 photos | 300 fast photos, €314 |
| 150 to 250 | 400-450 photos | Large booth, 400 photos, €359 |
| 250 and over | 800 photos… or unlimited digital | Digital photo booth, €79-99 |
Beyond 200 guests, do the maths: 100% digital (unlimited photos, no printing) often becomes a smarter choice than a very large paper package. Our data confirms it: digital events average 316 photos with no counter limit at all.
Three real-life cases
- Wedding of 80 guests: expect ~400 shots over the evening, including 120 to 160 paper prints. The 150 fast photos package is sized for exactly that.
- Corporate party of 200 people: 700 to 1,000 shots are possible. A 400-photo package + the QR code option so everyone also leaves with the file.
- Birthday party of 30 people: ~150 shots, 50 prints are enough. Everyone leaves with their photo, and the extras go digital.
What if you go over the package?
At Badabooth, there are no nasty surprises: once the paper counter is reached, the booth carries on in unlimited digital mode, so your guests never have to stop playing. And if you can feel a big night coming, photo refills can be added to your booking in one click.
A final tip: do not under-size to save €40. The printed photo you slip into your pocket is guests’ favourite keepsake, and it is in the last 2 hours that the booth works hardest.