Fund raiser DIY Photobooth

Gretchen

**another question** Has any one had experience using a WiFi card? I purchased on to use at this event. When I first tested it, it worked great, upload from camera to computer was extremely fast. While doing a test at the location I couldn't get any photos to load, but I think part of that problem is a fire wall that I can't get past. When I got home, all the photos uploaded but, extremely slow. Tested it again at home, same thing. I'm beginning to think the card is defective.

Any help is appreciated! At this point, I may have to go "old school" and manually record the file name on a sheet, and dump the card periodically then email them out.



A teenage girl in our community is fighting a rare form of Leukemia at St Jude's hospital. There is going to be fundraiser at a local Putt Putt course in May and I volunteered to set up a photo booth, then donate the proceeds. I want this whole process to be as simplified as possible, and to raise as much as I can, so here's my plan.

Use a wi-fi card to upload pix to my lap top on site, take two shots, let them pick which one, then email it to one person in the group, which they can forward on to the rest. I just don't want the hassle of printing them there, assigning file numbers to a group, etc. And since it will be a lot of teens they will want to get them out on Social Media asap!

I am going shoot Jpeg and probably on program - no on site editing.

After the event, load the pictures on to SmugMug and if they want to purchase prints, they can, with the idea to price them with extra profit, which will go towards the fund raising event.

I was thinking of a minimum $5.00 donation at the site, then probably price the prints at $5.00 if they choose to order them.

The "booth" was made with PVC pipe and thought the red stripes will be fun and festive! I have three metal chairs which I am painting lime green, yellow and red, in case some Grannies and PopPops are there and need to sit. (gotta love Pinterest!) The young lady in question attends a school for the arts and since this event is geared for the kids, I know there will be many fun pictures!

Also after the event, I plan on creating either a book or video with all the pix as a pick me up while she's having her treatment...

Has any one tried this before and am I leaving anything out; any suggestions? I'm going over to the site today to finalize details, see if I can access their Wi-Fi etc. Cause, I'm probably going to need a back up plan! Thanks!

My neighbor and I took a few tests of the set up last weekend-

Bryce Wilson

It's a wonderful thing for you to do. Nice idea too! I hope you raise a ton of dough for the young lady.

Personally, I'd loose the red striped background. I get dizzy just looking at it and it REALLY distracts from the subject.

anonymouscuban

I do something similar for JDRF every year for the past 3 years now. This year I did it twice. Mine is a bit different in that most of the folks that attend the event are employees or the friends and family of employees. It's a minimum of $10 donation which includes a free 8x10 print. I actually have the photos printed at Costco and I interoffice the print to the employee. Sounds like you'll be dealing with strangers so that probably won't work.

Here are my recommendations:

1. Shoot against a light backdrop. White is preferable since it will be the easiest to expose
2. Set your camera on a tripod and place a marker where you want the person to stand. Get everything framed up and your focus locked on. Set and forget basically.
3. Have some props like hats or glasses, etc. This will make folks want to participate.
4. Prepare for people wanting to take their own photo against your backdrop with your props with THEIR own camera and not donate. I tell these folks to take a hike... nicely of course.
5. Not sure if you mention if your using off camera lighting but if you are, use a simple umbrella setup. Two umbrellas to camera left and right if you want to shoot larger groups than 3 people.
6. I would shoot in manual mode if lighting condition are consistent. Set it up for proper exposure and you're done. Program mode is going to introduce inconsistency.
7. JPEG Format
8. Limit your shots
9. Collect some or all money up-front. Maybe offer the shot with a low res download for a $10 donation. Prints extra and proceeds go to donation as well. If you bank on people ordering prints, you're not going to be happy. Most people won't.

Hope that helps.

divamum

I actually like the stripes in this context, and I think the kids will have fun with that!! No advice as I've never done anything like this, but sounds like Cuban and the others have got you covered

ian408

Sounds like a fun project!

The hard part about the stripes is not everyone will look good against them. It's also difficult if a guest shows up wearing something that conflicts (like stripes) with the background.

I believe the light background with some additional props is an idea that will work for more of the guests. In the past, I've used a "grey skies" crushed muslin for some semi formal shots. Everything stands out against it.