April 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Open-Air vs. Enclosed Photo Booths: Which Should You Rent?
Open-air booths win on group size, lighting, and flexibility. Enclosed booths win on novelty. Here's the honest comparison.
If you've been to a wedding or corporate event in the last few years, you've almost certainly seen an open-air photo booth. They've largely replaced the enclosed 'curtain' booths of the 2010s — for good reason.
Group size
Open-air booths comfortably fit 8–10 people in a single shot. Enclosed booths cap out at 3–4. For weddings and parties, that difference matters.
Lighting and photo quality
Open-air setups use a dedicated ring or softbox light, so photos look closer to professional event photography. Enclosed booths rely on a single internal flash.
When enclosed still makes sense
If you want a strictly retro / nostalgic vibe, enclosed booths still have charm. Otherwise, open-air is the easy pick.