Starting a photo booth business can be exciting... and, let’s be real, a little overwhelming. When I first started, I jumped in headfirst, thinking I had to do everything to be successful. Weddings, birthdays, corporate events... I took any booking I could get, thinking more gigs meant more money.
But looking back? I made some big mistakes that cost me time, money, and unnecessary stress. If I had to start over today, here are the three things I’d do differently to get booked faster and build a profitable business without the trial and error.
And if you’re serious about landing your first paid gig? Stick around, because I’ve got a First Paid Gig Starter Pack that includes everything I wish I had when I started. More on that later... let’s dive in!
1. I Would Get Clear on My Ideal Client Sooner
One of my biggest mistakes? Trying to market to everyone.
When I started, I was saying yes to everything... weddings, birthdays, corporate parties, baby showers, backyard BBQs. I figured more events meant more income. But instead, I:
❌ Spent way too much time marketing to random clients.
❌ Attracted price shoppers who didn’t value my services.
❌ Struggled to charge what I was worth.
What I’d Do Differently Now:
Get super clear on who I actually want to book—weddings? Corporate clients? Luxury events?
Align my branding & pricing with that ideal client.
Market where my ideal clients already are, instead of waiting for them to find me.
If you’re struggling to figure out your dream clients, I created an Ideal Client Worksheet that walks you through exactly how to define them. Grab it here.
2. I’d Set Realistic Income Goals from the Start
Let’s talk money—because this is where a lot of new photo booth owners set themselves up for frustration.
When I first started, I saw people saying, “You can make $70K your first year!” That sounded amazing. But what they didn’t tell you?
That’s revenue, NOT profit.
That number assumes you’re charging premium prices—most beginners don’t.
It also assumes you’re doing 12+ events per month (which is exhausting).
The Reality Check
If you’re charging $500 per event, you’d need 12 bookings per month to hit $70K. TWELVE. If you’re new, juggling a 9-5, or running this solo? That’s not realistic.
A Smarter First-Year Goal:
Aim for 4 events per month (one per weekend).
Charge at least $799+ per event so you’re making actual profit.
Accept that your first year is about reinvestment, not just taking cash home.
Not sure how to price yourself for profit? My First Paid Gig Starter Pack includes a pricing calculator so you can set rates that actually make sense. Check it out here.
3. I’d Focus on Marketing That Actually Gets Bookings
When I first started, I thought I just needed to post pretty pictures on Instagram and wait for the inquiries to roll in. Spoiler: They didn’t.
I wasted months relying on passive marketing instead of actually going out and getting leads.
What I’d Do Differently Now:
Build relationships with vendors—venues, planners, DJs—because referrals are GOLD.
Get listed on Google My Business ASAP—this brings in local leads that are actually searching for photo booths.
Use strategic outreach—emails, DMs, and networking—so I’m not waiting for clients to find me.
If you’re not sure what to say to clients or how to reach out, I’ve included email & Instagram outreach templates inside my First Paid Gig Starter Pack so you can start booking FASTER.
Can You Make Big Money in This Business? YES—But Here’s What It Takes.
I won’t sugarcoat it—building a successful photo booth business takes work. But can you hit six figures? Absolutely.
Here’s What Helps You Get There Faster:
✔ Raising your prices to $1,000+ per gig (it takes time, but it’s doable!).
✔ Expanding into corporate events (higher budgets, less emotional spending).
✔ Offering add-ons like custom wraps and audio guestbooks to increase profit per event.
✔ Running your business full-time or optimizing your part-time hustle so every effort counts.
I hit six figures within 18 months, but it wasn’t luck. It was a mix of hustle, strategy, and learning from my mistakes.
Want to Skip the Mistakes and Start Strong?
I put together the First Paid Gig Starter Pack—a step-by-step system to help you land your first (or next!) booking.
Inside, you’ll get:
✔ 30-day action plan to book your first gig FAST.
✔ Pricing calculator to confidently set your rates.
✔ Email & outreach templates to start getting bookings NOW.
Ready to start booking dream clients? Grab the First Paid Gig Starter Pack here.
And if you haven’t yet, watch my full YouTube breakdown here!
Final Thoughts:
If I could go back and start over, these are the three things I’d do differently. The best part? You don’t have to learn the hard way like I did.
Which of these lessons do you need to focus on most? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear where you’re at in your journey!