A photo booth at the end-of-year ball
The end-of-year ball has taken hold in France: prom at the lycée (sixth-form level), end-of-year disco for the 3ᵉ (Year 10) at the collège, student union gala at university. And in every photo from these nights, one thing in common: the photo booth, now the essential stop of the evening, in gala outfits and striking star poses. Here is how to include it in your ball, and what it costs.
Why it is THE stand of the ball
- The arrival ritual: everyone turns up dressed to the nines, and the first thing they do is the photo, solo, as a pair or with their group
- The keepsake that lasts: the printed photo of the class, the one you find again years later, is worth more than any fleeting story
- Entertainment that runs all night: between songs, the photo booth is never empty, without tying up an adult or a student committee member all evening
- The personalised frame: “Class of 2027, Lycée Carnot”, the theme colours, the date: every print becomes the official souvenir of the ball
The budget per student
This is the calculation that wins over the organising committee:
| Package | Price | Photos | Ball of 100 students | Ball of 200 students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 fast photos | €244 | 150 | €2.44/student | n/a |
| Large booth, 400 photos | €359 | 400 | €3.59/student | €1.80/student |
Built into the ticket price, the photo booth costs less than a soft drink per person, for the entertainment everyone will talk about. All-inclusive price, delivery anywhere in France included.
Themes that work
The photo frame can be personalised in a few minutes in our online editor, in the colours of the ball’s theme:
- Red carpet / Hollywood: gold frame, stars, “Awards Night”
- Roaring Twenties / Gatsby: art deco, black and gold
- Neon / retro 2000s: bright colours, arcade fonts
- Elegant minimalist: the class name, the date, nothing more
Add the instant QR code option (€30): every photo goes straight to phones, so it is doing the rounds in the class group chats before the ball is even over.
Organisation
Who books? The student committee, the parents’ association (FCPE/APEL), the school’s pastoral team or the town hall for youth balls. For an invoice in the name of the school or association: hello@badabooth.fr.
Light logistics: the booth arrives by parcel 1 to 2 days before, sets up in 5 minutes (a power socket is all you need) and works without Wi-Fi: sports hall, village hall or decorated playground shelter, it works anywhere. After the ball, it goes back by parcel.
Supervision: no host required. The touchscreen guides the students, the countdown sets the pace and the photos print in a few seconds.
Photos after the ball: the organiser gets all the digital photos via a private link, perfect for making the class memories video.
The organising committee’s checklist
- Book 3-4 weeks ahead (in May and June, dates go fast)
- Have the frame design approved by the committee (or let the class vote!)
- Plan the spot: visible from the entrance, away from the loudest area
- Appoint someone to receive the parcel and set up the booth (5 minutes)
- Mention the photo booth on the ball poster: it helps sell tickets
Also worth reading: A photo booth at the school fair · The best photo booth poses
