The holiday party is the one night a year when the whole company is in the same room, dressed up and off the clock. A photo booth gives people a reason to mix outside their usual teams, it gives your leadership a gallery of real smiles to share in January, and it gives every guest something to take home.
We set up photo booths and event photography at corporate holiday parties across New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine every December. This guide walks through what actually works at a company party: which setup fits your crowd, how to brand it, when to book and how to get the most out of the photos after the night is over.
That “Happy Holidays 2024” print above is from Merrill Lynch’s holiday party. Every guest left with a branded keepsake, and the team got a full gallery to use afterward. You can see more in our Merrill Lynch event photography story.
Why a photo booth works so well at a company holiday party
Most corporate parties have the same problem in the first hour: people stand with the coworkers they already know. A photo booth fixes that without anyone having to organize an icebreaker. Departments pull each other in, managers jump into photos with their teams, and the line itself becomes a place to talk.
- It brings teams together. Group photos are the most common shot of the night, and they mix people who rarely work side by side.
- It creates content you can use. You leave with a full gallery for your intranet, newsletter, recruiting pages and social media.
- It’s a thank-you guests can hold. A printed photo with your logo and the year on it ends up on desks and fridges for months.
- It works for every crowd. From a 40-person office party to a 600-guest gala, the setup scales with you.
Choosing the right setup for your party
The best booth depends on your guest count, your venue and the feel you want. Here’s how we usually match them:
Selfie Station Luxe. A sleek, open-air booth with studio lighting and instant prints. It’s our most requested setup for office and restaurant parties because it fits almost anywhere and handles big groups easily.
GLAM booth. Flattering, magazine-style portraits with beauty lighting, in color, black and white, or both. You decide whether guests get to choose or every photo matches. This is the choice for black-tie parties and galas where guests are dressed to impress. See it on our GLAM photo booth page.
360 video booth. Slow-motion video clips that guests share right away. It’s high energy and works best when you have a dance floor and a crowd that loves to be on camera. Learn more about our 360 video booth rental.
Roaming photo booth. We come to your guests instead of the other way around, which is ideal for cocktail-style parties and venues with no room for a booth. Our roaming photography can even place guests on a snowy mountain or a holiday scene with virtual backgrounds.
Event photography with instant delivery. A professional photographer captures speeches, awards and candid moments, and each guest gets the photos they’re in texted to their phone during the party. It’s a great match for awards nights and leadership events. See how it works on our event photography page.
Branding that looks like your company, not a template
Branding is where a corporate photo booth earns its place. Every photo can carry your logo, your event name and the year, designed to match your invitation or your company colors. A few options our corporate clients use most:
- A custom overlay on every print and digital photo, so each image doubles as a branded keepsake.
- A branded start screen on the booth that welcomes guests with your logo or holiday message.
- A branded backdrop, from a clean white wall to a holiday scene, chosen to fit your venue.
- A private online gallery you can share with your whole team after the party.
For more on what’s possible, see our corporate event photo booths.
When to book for a December party
Wednesday through Saturday nights in December are the most popular and the first to fill every year, often by early fall. If you’re planning later than that, you still have options: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights, daytime parties and January celebrations all have far more availability. Our guide on when to book a holiday photo booth breaks down the holiday calendar in detail.
When you reach out, have these ready and we can confirm your date quickly:
- Your date and venue
- Your expected guest count
- Your party start and end times
- Your logo and any colors or theme you want on the photos
Getting the most out of your photos after the party
The party ends, but the photos keep working for you. Our corporate clients use their galleries to:
- Share a “thank you for a great year” post on LinkedIn and Instagram the next morning
- Add real team photos to the careers page and recruiting materials
- Feature the party in the January company newsletter
- Give remote and hybrid teammates a look at the night
Simple tips for a smooth booth
- Place the booth near the action, close to the bar or the dance floor, not in a back hallway.
- Open the booth early. The first hour, before dinner, is when guests are freshest and most photogenic.
- Get leadership in the first photos. When the CEO jumps in, everyone else follows.
- Plan one big group photo. A whole-team shot is often the image that ends up framed in the office.
Corporate holiday party photo booth FAQ
How much space does a photo booth need?
It depends on the setup. We confirm the space and power with your venue ahead of time, and our roaming option needs no floor space at all.
Can every photo include our company logo?
Yes. Every package includes a custom overlay designed for your event with your logo, event name and date.
Do guests get their photos right away?
Yes. Guests can get instant prints and digital copies by text, email or QR code, and you receive the full online gallery after the event.
Do you work at venues outside New Hampshire?
Yes. We cover corporate parties throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and the rest of New England, including venues like the Bedford Village Inn and Manchester Country Club.
Is there an attendant at the booth?
Most of our booths include a friendly attendant who helps groups pose, keeps the line moving and handles everything all night. Our Selfie Station drop-off is the exception: we set it up, show your team the best practices, and your guests use it at their leisure. A staffed booth gets a lot more attention, so for most events we recommend an attendant.
Should we tip the photo booth attendant?
Tips are never required, but they’re always appreciated. Our attendants work hard to give your guests great service all night, and many clients tip based on the level of service they felt they received, the same way they tip their other event vendors.
Plan your company holiday party
Tell us your date, venue and guest count and we’ll recommend the setup that fits your party. Check your date and see our packages or request a custom quote.
