How to make a photo booth backdrop

If you’re throwing a party to celebrate New Year, Christmas, a wedding, or even a birthday, make sure it’s one to remember by installing a photo booth! There's always great fun and give your guests something to remember the night by. Crafter Lana Red shows you how to make a photo booth backdrop from a few simple and affordable materials. You can make your photo booth backdrop in colours and materials that match your event theme or using scrap papers from your stash. Set up your camera then add some props – and a few bottles of fizz – for an evening of fun and a collection of memories. If you don’t have access to a digital camera, use your backdrop as a selfie station instead. Or pick up some disposable and polaroid cameras for instant fun! Create your own hashtag (#molliemakers anyone?) and share your pick of the pics the morning after.

To go with your new photo booth backdrop why not craft up some New Year’s Eve DIY party decorations too? We've even got a how to make an ice cream pinata tutorial here on Gathered so you can make an entirely DIY party! But first Lana is going to take you through some of her top photo booth backdrop tips then show you how to make it.

Lana's tips for setting up your photo booth...

Play around with the way you hang the garlands, draping them at different heights, or stacking them above each other.
Add extra accessories around your photo backdrop, such as clusters of pom poms hung at different heights.
Have someone stand in front when you’re setting up the camera. Auto-focus on your model, then switch the auto-focus off. That way, in the pictures taken after, the camera will always capture the right subject.
Mark a standing point on the floor with washi tape to ensure everyone stands the same distance from the camera.
Mark the position of your tripod legs in the same way – if someone bumps into it, you can easily put it back in position.
Create a prop table next to your backdrop, just outside of the shot. Having props to hand adds a touch of spontaneity to the photos, and is great for getting a good variety of pictures.
Buy or borrow a camera trigger – this handy device means your guests can take photos without anyone having to stand behind the camera.