Prints vs. Digital: What’s Best for Your Photo Booth Experience?

When it comes to booking your booth, one of the most common questions we get is: “Should we include prints or go fully digital?”

Both options are solid and honestly, you can’t go wrong. But I want to break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide what fits best. At The Portrait Experience, one option does come at a slightly higher price point, but it really just depends on your event, your crowd, and the kind of experience you want to create.

Let's get into it! →

The Case for Digital: Sleek, Fast, and Shareable

Our digital-only photo booth package may be small, but it’s mighty, and honestly, it’s often slept on. You might assume unlimited prints are the way to go, but that’s not always the case. Hear me out:

With digital-only, guests receive their captures instantly via text or email (as long as Wi-Fi is available). And with any package, all photos and videos are automatically saved and uploaded to your event’s live gallery. That means anyone with the gallery link, either from their texted photo or passed along by a friend, can view and download everything from the night. Pretty cool, right?

Here’s why digital copies are my personal favorite: the quality and resolution is flawless. As hard as we work to make prints perfect, the digital versions are just unmatched. They’re ideal for sharing on social media (also a favorite of mine!) or sending to friends and family by text.

Little hack: when I’m at an event, I’ll snap a few booth photos and send them to family just to keep them in the loop. It’s such a fun way to include people who couldn’t make it. So if you ever find yourself at an event with our booth, don’t be shy! Text your captures directly to friends and family,  it’s a fun surprise and always appreciated.

For Businesses: A Built-In Branding Opportunity

Here’s a feature most people don’t think about.Our digital booth can double as a marketing tool. By adding your logo to the photo template, every guest becomes part of your brand story. As they share their photos to social media in real time, your logo is front and center, helping you reach a wider audience without lifting a finger.

Want to take it a step further? Add a call-to-action to your live gallery. We can include a custom link in your online gallery where guests will be visiting all night and in the days after the event. Perfect for driving traffic to your website, promo page, or lead form. It’s effortless brand exposure, built right into the experience.

Lastly, I know how expensive event planning can be, so I wanted to offer something for clients who want to save a little but still throw an incredible party. When you book our digital-only booth, you save around $200. No paper = lower cost. That’s something I can definitely get behind. It gives you the flexibility to have the best of both worlds: you get the full booth experience and stay within budget.

When You Might Want to Upgrade to Our Signature Experience (Prints Included)

• Your guest list includes mostly elderly guests or young kids. These groups love having something physical to take home.

• You want to provide a standout experience that your guests will remember. Prints really do take things up a notch, people love them and will wait in line to get one.

• You want keepsakes from the night to add to a guest book or photo album.

Our digital booth is a solid option for events of any size, but it especially shines at events with younger crowds, business functions, or casual parties where instant sharing and interaction is the goal.

Yes, We Print! Here’s Why You Might Want to Add It On

There’s just something special about holding a photo in your hand. Our print packages bring the photo booth experience full circle and the energy in the room shifts the second guests hear that printer fire up. Almost every event has someone asking, “Can you print it out?” And honestly, we love saying yes.

One of the biggest perks is that guests walk away with a physical keepsake. In fact, I personally think prints can take the place of a party favor, especially the 4x6 print option, which is perfect for framing. That’s one less thing to worry about, and a little extra money saved! You also have the option of choosing classic 2x6 photo strips or a single 4x6 capture, which works beautifully for high-end glam shots.

Example: 4x6 print with our glam booth add-on.

Prints are also great if you're planning to include them in your wedding guest book. I've seen couples instruct guests to take a photo, print it, and tape it into a guest book with a handwritten note. It’s such a fun and personal way to remember everyone who celebrated with you.

Prints are best for events where guests love having something to take home. Weddings, fundraisers, holiday parties, and anywhere you want to add a little extra magic to the night.

Can’t Decide? You Don’t Have To.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose just one. We offer flexible packages so you can keep things digital and upgrade to prints if you want the best of both worlds.

Want to keep things budget-friendly? Stick to our Digital-only package.Want to treat your guests? Go all in with unlimited photo booth prints.

We’ll walk you through the options based on your guest count, event style, and goals.

We proudly serve the Inland Northwest, including Newport, WA; Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, ID; Libby and Kalispell, MT; and the surrounding areas.

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Have questions? We’re happy to walk you through it all. Check your date or send us a message to get started!