How to Successfully Run a Photobooth and 360 Booth Business in Chicago

Chicago is more than a city—it’s a hub for celebrations, corporate events, and unforgettable experiences. From Lakefront weddings to corporate mixers in the Loop, Chicagoans love interactive entertainment that captures memories.

If you’re looking to start or grow your photobooth or 360 booth business, understanding the local market, preparing your equipment, managing guests professionally, choosing the right software, and building strategic partnerships are key. Here’s a detailed guide for aspiring booth owners.

1. Understand the Chicago Event Market

Chicago’s diversity means you’ll encounter a wide range of events:

• Weddings: These are often the most lucrative market for photobooth and 360 booth rentals. Popular venues include:

  • The Palm House

  • Seven Star Venue

  • The Ivy Room

  • Salvage One

  • City View Loft

• Corporate Events: Many companies in the Loop, West Loop, and River North seek interactive experiences that align with branding.

• Private Parties: Birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone events across neighborhoods like Lakeview, Wicker Park, and Hyde Park.

Tip: Build relationships with event planners and venue coordinators—they are often the first stop for clients looking to book entertainment.

2. Choose the Right Equipment

Your equipment is your product, and the quality of your photos and videos shapes your reputation. Before heading to any booking, double-check your full equipment checklist to make sure every required item is CHARGED FULLY, packed, and ready.

• Photobooths: Open‑air booths allow for group shots, while enclosed booths create intimate experiences.

• 360 Booths: Slow‑motion videos and social‑media‑ready content make these setups highly desirable.

• Props & Backdrops: Chicago‑themed props—from Willis Tower miniatures to Cubs/White Sox items—make events memorable.

Pro Tip: Always have extra equipment:

• Batteries, lights, and an extra iPad for sign‑ins

• Backup 360 booth arm (mine has broken a couple of times during events!)Preparation is everything. A professional, well‑prepared setup impresses clients and ensures smooth operations.

• AND.....you may say to yourself, " I don't have enough room in my vehicle for all of this equipment". However, there's always a way to make it work. Ask close loved ones to help or rent a U-Haul van or truck.

3. Marketing Your Booth Business

Smart marketing is essential in Chicago:

• Website Optimization: Build a clean, mobile‑friendly website with portfolio examples, packages, and client testimonials. Include keywords like “Chicago photobooth rental” and “360 booth rental Chicago.”

• Social Media: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are powerful tools. Share behind‑the‑scenes content, event highlights, and social‑media‑ready 360 booth clips.

• Networking: Attend industry meet‑ups, vendor fairs, and wedding expos. Live demos convert potential leads into bookings. The Hazroom is a great place to network with other entrepreneurs and creatives.

4. Building Partnerships for Long‑Term Clients

One of the best ways to grow a photobooth business is forming ongoing partnerships:

• Partner with schools, non‑profits, corporations, and event venues to provide recurring services each year.

• Maintain a yearly calendar of your partner’s big events so you’re organized and ready to offer services proactively.

• Consistent partnerships build reliable revenue streams and reduce the need to constantly seek new clients.

Tip: Track events in a digital calendar, set reminders for follow‑ups, and create a process to offer package renewals or early bookings for recurring clients.

5. EDUCATE client in How a 360 Booth Runs

For clients and guests, it’s helpful to explain the flow:

• Guests step onto the platform while a 360 camera spins around, capturing slow‑motion video clips or dynamic loops.

• The booth creates instant social‑media‑ready content with GIFs, videos, and branded overlays.

  • TIP: I always walk around the 360 booth with the arm to ensure feet aren't hanging over

  • TIP: I always encourage clients to move their upper body while their feet are planted

    • This ensures the safety of your clients AND equipment

A brief email to clients could read:

Subject: What to Expect from Your 360 Booth Experience

Hi [Client Name],We’re excited to bring your 360 booth to your event!

Here’s what to expect: A professional operator will manage the booth the entire time. We do not lend the booth for self‑operation. Guests will be guided through a safe, fun experience and receive their video clips instantly. We’ll coordinate with your event schedule to ensure the booth does not conflict with key moments like speeches, cake cutting, or first dances. A clear line will be organized for your guests, using buzzer notifications or wrapped lines to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

6. Structuring the Guest Line

Guest flow is key to smooth events:

• Weddings: Talk to the bride, groom, and venue about timing—avoid conflicts with the ceremony, dinner, or dance floor.

• Corporate or party events: Use stanchions, ropes, or tape to clearly define the flow.

• Notifications: Buzzers or electronic alerts can call the next guest when the platform is free.

• Sign‑ups: For weddings, pre‑registration reduces wait times.

The line structure will depend on guest count, event type, and venue layout. Always plan for busy moments and adjust as needed.

7. Staffing

Never leave a 360 booth unattended:

• Assign someone trained to operate the booth.

• Your operator manages the line, troubleshoots minor issues, and ensures the experience is seamless.

• Professional staffing ensures a high‑quality experience and peace of mind for clients.

8. Pricing and Packages

Set pricing strategically to attract clients while maximizing revenue:

• Weddings: Premium pricing is possible for 360 booths with full production.

• Corporate Clients: Offer packages with logo integration and social‑media‑ready content.

• Private Events: Flexible pricing builds your portfolio and generates referrals.

Tip: Offer tiered packages and add‑ons like instant prints, social sharing, and custom backdrops.

9. Staying Ahead of Trends

The photobooth and 360 booth industry evolves fast. Keep an eye on:

• AR and AI‑enhanced photo experiences

• Integration with social media platforms

• 360 slow‑motion video trends for TikTok and Instagram. Innovation differentiates your business in Chicago’s competitive market.

10. Recommended 360 & Photobooth Equipment Suppliers

When you’re building or upgrading your booth business, choosing the right equipment supplier can make all the difference. Here are six vendors worth your time, along with what to ask and watch out for:

1. RevoSpin (360 video booths) — RevoSpin website (we purchased our first 360booth from here and we love it!)

   • Why it’s good: Specializes in 360‑degree spin booths, portability, and social‑media ready content.

   • Tip: Ask about support, replacement parts, and the software update path.

   • Example: Model RM‑4, manual 360 platform with motorized features.

2. GO360BOOTH (360 + traditional photo booths) — GO360BOOTH Trustpilot

   • Why it’s good: Broad range for different budgets & event types.

   • Tip: Compare shipping, warranty, and ease of transport/setup.

3. Photobooth Supply Co. (PBSCO) — Photobooth Supply Co. website

   • Why it’s good: High‑end focus; 360 booths (“Tortilla 360”), mirror booths, iPad booths, full software ecosystem.

   • Tip: Higher cost requires careful ROI calculation: (events/month × rental rate).

4. SpinPix360 (360 booths + accessories)

   • Why it’s good: Adds value with website build and bundled accessories.

   • Tip: Check inclusions (shipping, customs, setup instructions).

5. VS Booths 360 — VS Booths 360 product page

   • Why it’s good: Cutting‑edge tech and differentiation for event businesses.

   • Tip: May require more technical setup/training.

6. ATA Photo Booths — ATA Photo Booths product page

   • Why it’s good: Solid traditional booths, strong reviews; good starting point before pivoting to 360.

   • Tip: Confirm upgrade path if planning to move into 360 later.

11. Software Options for Your Booth Business

To run your business smoothly, you’ll need reliable software. Here are recommended software platforms:

• DslrBooth — Runs on Windows (and a sister app for iPad/Mac) and supports webcams,https://dslrbooth.com/ iPad cameras. Features: standard photo, GIF/boomerang, 360‑spin, green screen. Good all‑rounder if you run both traditional and 360 booths. Tip: check licensing and update path for your scale of events.

• Booth.Events — iPad‑focused: white‑labeling, print/email/text, AI background replacement. Great for mobile/flexible setups or when you supervise teams moving booths.

• Touchpix (Our Top Recommendation) — Specifically designed for 360 spin and booth experiences, Touchpix offers an all-in-one solution for 360 photo booths, video booths, and spinner 360 setups. (Touchpix 360 Photo Booth App)

  • This software is highly user-friendly, delivering smooth digital images and seamless integration with other software platforms. It allows continued use after initial setup, provided the same format is maintained. In our experience, Touchpix has been consistently reliable, with no glitches during events—unlike some other software solutions we’ve tested—making it ideal for businesses heavily focused on the 360 booth market

Starting or running a photobooth or 360 booth business in Chicago requires more than equipment—it’s about understanding your market, delivering unforgettable experiences, building partnerships, choosing the right equipment and software, and managing operations professionally.

By preparing your gear, staffing correctly, organizing guest flow, building lasting partnerships, and using reliable suppliers and software, your booth business can grow consistently. Chicago’s event market is full of opportunity—stay organized, plan smart, and deliver a professional, memorable experience every time.

Final tip

• Get creative with your backdrops and props. You can save so much more money and develop more skills creating props and backdrops yourself. Go shop at Habitat for Humanity for used items, go to thrift stores, go to Hobby Lobby; just think outside of the box in order to set yourself apart from others.. Think of yourself as the business owner, you ARE.

GO CHECK OUT OUR PHOTOBOOTH OPTIONS

www.walkingvisions.com