Top Photo Booth Trends in 2025: What’s New in Event Entertainment

You know how every party has that one thing everyone ends up crowding around? It used to be the bar. Then the dessert table. Now? It’s the photo booth.

Image by Studio Romantic / Adobestock

It’s kind of funny - ten years ago, a booth was just a box with a curtain. You’d step inside, make a face, maybe grab a silly prop, and that was it. 

These days, they’ve turned into full-on experiences. Some look like movie sets. Others feel like you’ve stepped into a TikTok studio. I’ve been to a bunch of events this year, and honestly, the photo booths keep stealing the show.

Here’s what’s new in 2025 and why they’re way more fun than they used to be.

1. The 360 trend is still going strong

Remember when those spinning 360° video booths started popping up everywhere? Yeah, they’re still around, but now they’ve grown up. The new ones don’t just spin; they tell a story. 

You stand on a platform, music starts playing, and the camera moves around you while you throw confetti or do a twirl.

The clips look like mini music videos ready to post right away. I saw one at a wedding recently, and people were queuing for it like it was a roller coaster. The whole thing just makes everyone feel a little bit famous for 10 seconds.

That’s the fun of it,  it’s not just about a photo anymore. It’s about the little performance.

2. AI is everywhere now (but in a cool way)

Technology finally got involved, but not in a boring, techy way. Some booths now use AI to edit photos in real time. You can walk in, strike a pose, and walk out looking like you’re on the cover of a magazine.

It’s honestly kind of addictive. At one party, the booth made every photo look like a painted portrait, and people were obsessed. 

It’s easy to see why more event planners are booking this kind of photo booth rental. It gives guests something to actually do, not just stand and smile.

3. Nostalgia is back (again)

While all the fancy tech is cool, there’s also this complete swing in the other direction. Old-school booths are back. You know, the ones that print those tiny film strips or Polaroid-style pictures you can hold?

At a spring event downtown, I saw a vintage setup - a real photobooth service in Mississauga - and people loved it. No filters. No editing. Just soft lighting, a click, and a photo that slowly prints out in your hand. It felt a bit like time travel.

And honestly? Those pictures ended up being the ones everyone kept.

4. Booths are becoming full experiences

Themed setups are the big thing right now. Instead of a flat background, you might find yourself in a mini jungle, a glowing galaxy, or a retro '90s bedroom. Some have sound effects and moving lights.

I went to one event where the booth looked like an old diner. Red stools, neon signs, checkered floor, the works. 

People spent ages there, not just taking photos but hanging out and laughing. It completely changed the vibe of the room.

It makes sense, right? People love something they can walk into and interact with, not just stand in front of.

5. Brand events are getting smarter

Corporate parties and brand launches are also changing how they use booths. Instead of plastering logos all over the photos, they’re going for subtle touches: color themes, small overlays, or branded lighting.

One company I saw used a photo booth service in Vaughan to make their event photos look like lifestyle ads. Click here to know more about that.

It wasn’t “corporate” at all, and that’s why everyone shared the pictures online. It felt organic. That’s the secret: make it fun first, and the marketing happens naturally.

6. Instant sharing (without losing privacy)

A lot of new booths now let guests download photos instantly with a QR code. You scan, get your image, and that’s it! No email forms or personal info needed. Some even let you delete your picture from the system after you’ve saved it.

It’s a small change, but people appreciate it. Nobody wants to get spammed after a wedding because they typed in their email at the booth. The whole process feels a lot more respectful now.

Image by Syda Productions / Adobestock

7. Greener setups are on the rise

Another quiet trend: sustainability. Booth companies are ditching single-use props and switching to recycled materials or digital alternatives. A few even use solar-powered lighting or smaller batteries to cut energy use.

And instead of printing every photo, guests can choose digital copies. You’d be surprised how many people prefer that. It’s small stuff, but over hundreds of events, it really adds up.

8. The fun part is still the people

Even with all the upgrades, the real reason photo booths work is the same - people love having fun together.

At a wedding I went to last month, there was nothing fancy about the booth at all. Just a curtain, a few props, and a light that made everyone look great. But people couldn’t stop laughing. You could hear it across the room.

That’s what sticks with you, not the tech, but the joy.

Final thoughts

Every year, someone says photo booths are “over.” And every year, they somehow get even better.

In 2025, they’re not just part of the decor anymore. They’re the heartbeat of the event and the part that gets people talking, sharing, and remembering.

Whether you love the flashy AI stuff or the retro prints that smell faintly like ink, photo booths are here to stay. They’re not about perfection; they’re about capturing a real moment. 

And that’s probably why, even with all the filters and fancy effects, the best photos are still the ones where people are laughing too hard to pose.

By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Adobestock & PhotoboothTO