I’m sure you’re not even worried about New Year’s Eve yet with Christmas only a few days away.  I wouldn’t be thinking about it at all if it weren’t for my blogging friends who wanted to do a group post about New Year’s Eve.  And I’m so glad they made me get my butt in gear so I can share with you a few ideas for setting up a DIY photo booth.  I spent 2 hours cleaning my basement Sunday night just so I could take a few pictures for you.  I had to clean the basement before Christmas anyway so my little nephews would have a place to hang out.  You know, a place that doesn’t look like a construction zone.

My tip for New Years Eve is to find a friend to host the party.  My friend Cindy does it every year!  (Although I think she’s more than willing to pass the torch.) Here we are at her DIY photo booth last year…

https://www.instagram.com/p/_-uf12QqS-/?taken-by=smartgirlsdiy

It doesn’t matter if you are the host of the party or not, you can still bring your supplies over to a friends and set up a photo booth at her house.  Smart Jr and I have been kind of obsessed with photo booths lately.  We made two for her brother’s birthday last year.  We had a Star Wars themed photo booth at home and a Hawaiian themed one at his pool party.

DIY Photo Booth Supplies

1. Props
2. Backdrop
3. Camera
4. Lighting
5. Friends

Props

Check out my friend Jen’s post (found HERE) for great ideas for cute photo booth props for New Year’s Eve!

If you’re not feeling crafty, you can definitely buy some props.  I was at Hobby Lobby last week and saw they had a section just for photo booth props.

I am usually prepping for a party at the last minute, so I like to grab what I already have lying around.  Sunglasses, ukuleles, a sign off your wall, beads, chalkboard, a picture frame… this is the kind of stuff I have lying around my house.  I know you have sunglasses, maybe not multiple ukuleles.  The picture frame is easy, just take out the glass and the backing and your left with a frame that your guests can hold up to “frame” their faces.

Obviously a New Year’s Eve booth should include the year, but this can be as easy as a party decoration you have people hold, or a sign that hangs overhead, OR you can just add the 2015 in whatever photo editing software you use.  Picmonkey has a free version that is super easy to use.  Dude, does that kid look like Mini Me or what?!?If you’re making party favors, which I normally don’t do, you can probably incorporate those into your photo booth as well.  My son had a small party after school on his actual birthday, which included his sister and 3 friends.  I made them each a light saber and a Jedi robe (read more about it HERE) and of course they used these as props in our photo booth.

Backdrop

I think this is the area most people stress out about, but it really doesn’t have to be elaborate.  For my New Year’s Eve photo booth I plan to use gold curtains I have lying around.  I don’t remember where they came from or why I have them, or even if I’ve ever hung them as curtains anywhere.  Wherever they came from I’m glad I hoarded them because I’ve ended up using them a bunch.  I used them as table clothes for my daughter’s birthday a few months ago!  My point is that you don’t have to use curtains at all.  A tablecloth, shower curtain, random fabric or wrapping paper will all do the trick.  But for the love of Pete — I need to IRON that damn thing!!!

I have tons of fabric stored in a cabinet in my office an I was thrilled to be able to use it for these photo booths.  Too bad it just went right back in the cabinet when we got home.

My Star Wars photo booth background was a piece of black fabric (why I have this stuff, I have no idea) and a pack of foam gold stars.  I used a few thumbtacks to attach it to the wall. Viola! 

One word of advice about photo booth backdrops is to let the fabric drape a few feet onto the floor. That is, IF you want people’s feet in the picture.  You know, the way real photographers take pictures in their studios.  Otherwise, feel free to crop!

Camera

You have options here too.  I usually set up my “good camera” on a tripod and take the pictures myself, especially if it’s a kids party.   An easier option is to let your guests use their camera phones. You can still get the fancy studio feeling by providing a tripod for people to use with their phones.  I have one of those small ones that would work perfectly (similar to this).  Maybe include a sign (for your slow friends) that says “Photo Booth Tripod” or something.

Lighting

I’m the worst about lighting, so do as I say, not as I do.  I recently purchased this set of two lights and I’ve seen a huge improvement in my pictures and would definitely recommend investing the money IF you are going to use the lights for other photography. Duh.  Don’t just buy them for your New Year’s Eve photo booth.

You might not need any artificial light if there’s adequate lighting in the room.  My Star Wars photo booth didn’t need it because there was a huge window in the room that was placed perfectly to the side and behind my camera.  Don’t worry though, it’s just for fun and any picture is better than no picture!

Friends

You’ll need someone to take pictures of so I hope you won’t be alone on New Year’s Eve!  I am grateful for my blogging friends and I hope you all have a fantastic New Year!

This post is part of the 9 Awesome Things to do on New Year’s Eve. For more great ideas and activities of what to do on New Year’s Eve, be sure and check out some of my favorite bloggers who are linked below: