Let’s talk about a topic that used to keep me up at night—how the heck to price your very first paid photo booth gig. When I first started, I was so worried about charging “too much” that I pretty much gave my services away for pennies. And guess what? I paid for it in sweat, exhaustion, and a serious lack of profit. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’ll just charge super low so I can get booked,” keep reading! Because the right strategy isn’t about being the cheapest on the block—it’s about making sure you’re actually profitable.
My $300 Mistake
I’ll never forget the day I charged $300 for a four-hour gig. By the time I factored in gas, props, the time to set up and tear down, plus the mental and physical energy spent… I made maybe $100. And that was before taxes. Not exactly the empire I was hoping to build. If you’ve been there, don’t worry—you’re in good company.
Why do so many newbies undercharge?
- Fear of scaring clients away
- Not knowing the true cost of running the booth
- Feeling “less experienced,” so they price themselves low “just to get started”
I’m here to tell you that once you dig into the actual math, you’ll realize you can (and should!) charge more.
Step 1: Know Your Costs
Before you slap a random number on your packages, you need to know precisely what goes into each event. This includes:
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Equipment
- Booth hardware (iPad or DSLR)
- Printer, paper, ink (if you offer prints)
- Props and backdrops
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Software & Subscriptions
- Booth software
- CRM or booking system
- Any graphics or design tools
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Insurance & Fees
- General liability insurance
- License or permit fees (if required in your area)
- TAXES
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Marketing & Branding
- Website hosting, domain
- Business cards, social media ads
- Local event sponsorships
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Travel, Time & Labor
- Gas, tolls, mileage
- Set-up and tear-down time
- Assistants (if you hire help)
Think of these line items as puzzle pieces. When you put them together, you get a full picture of what each gig truly costs.
Pro Tip: If you haven’t yet, grab my Photo Booth Expenses Cheat Sheet (it’s free!) so you can have a list of all of these expenses. It’s the exact resource I wish I had back when I was undercharging!
Step 2: Factor in Depreciation
This might sound like a fancy accounting term (and it is!), but all it really means is: Your booth gear won’t last forever. If you spent $3,000 on an iPad booth, and you plan to use it for 3 years at around 50 events a year, that’s roughly $20 per event in depreciation. That way, when you need to upgrade or replace your booth down the road, you’re not blindsided by a huge bill.
Similarly, if you have a DSLR booth that cost $8,000, expect it to last maybe 5 years at 40 events a year—so you might factor in $40 per event. Again, not an exact science, but it keeps you from eating all the replacement costs later.
Step 3: Choose Your Hourly (or Event) Rate
Next up: How much do you actually want to make per event? This is where I see a lot of photo booth owners crumble, because they’re afraid to dream big. If you’re investing your time on nights and weekends, you deserve to be paid well—not just covering costs.
Let’s say you decide you want $400 in profit for a four-hour event. Once you tally your overhead (depreciation, insurance, software, marketing, etc.), you might realize you need to charge $600, $700, or even $800+ to actually net that $400.
Step 4: Don’t Forget the “Objection Factor”
If you charge what you’re worth, there will always be people who say, “That’s too expensive.” Been there, heard that. Early on, I caved faster than you can say “discount,” but guess what happened? They weren’t my ideal clients anyway. Now, I hold firm—and many times, they come back with more budget than they initially claimed to have.
- Pro Tip: If you’re tired of fumbling through that “too expensive” objection, check out my You’re Too Expensive Objection Kit. It’s my arsenal of proven scripts and mindset tips to handle those tough convos with confidence.
Step 5: Use Tools (So You Don’t Have to Do All the Math!)
Not a fan of spreadsheets? Don’t worry—I created a First Paid Gig Starter Pack that includes a done-for-you pricing calculator. Just plug in your overhead, desired profit, and a few other details, and boom—you’ll have a clear idea of what to charge. No more second-guessing, no more “I hope this is okay…” vibes.
Real Talk: Why This Matters
You didn’t start a photo booth business just to break even or work for free. You started it for freedom—to call the shots, to bring in real income, and to have the flexibility to live life on your terms. Charging the right price is step one to making sure this dream doesn’t turn into a financial nightmare.
Remember: When you price correctly, you attract higher-quality clients who value what you offer. If someone’s haggling you down to the bone, they’re probably not the kind of client who will sing your praises or respect your time.
Wrap-Up (and a Quick Pep Talk!)
Pricing your first photo booth gig might feel scary, but it’s also a chance to set the standard for your entire business. By calculating your costs, factoring in your goals, and standing firm when people say “too expensive,” you’re building a sustainable, profitable foundation. And guess what? That means you’ll be around for the long haul, serving clients with your unique booth experience—rather than burning out and giving up.
Next Steps:
- Grab Your Free Checklist: If you haven’t already, scoop up the Photo Booth Expenses Cheat Sheet to keep track of every cost that goes into your booth.
- Consider the Starter Pack: For a deeper dive and an easy-to-use calculator, check out the First Paid Gig Starter Pack.
- Boost Your Confidence: Tackle the “too expensive” objection head-on with the You’re Too Expensive Objection Kit.
Your photo booth journey is just getting started, and you’re exactly where you need to be—no more undervaluing yourself. Charge your worth, own your moment, and watch the right clients show up, credit card in hand, ready to invest in you.