Open-Air vs Enclosed vs 360 Photo Booth: Which Is Right for Your Event?
The short answer
Choose an open-air booth for big groups, weddings and any event where you want guests and the backdrop in frame. Choose an enclosed booth for cheeky, private, classic-strip moments at parties and 21sts. Choose a 360 booth when you want shareable slow-motion video and a showstopper centrepiece — ideal for corporate launches, brand activations and milestone celebrations.
If you only remember one rule: open-air = the crowd-pleaser, enclosed = the classic, 360 = the wow factor. Below is the full breakdown so you can match the booth to your event, your space and your budget.
| Open-Air | Enclosed | 360 Video | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Weddings, big parties, corporate | Parties, 21sts, intimate events | Launches, activations, milestones |
| What you get | Prints + digital, backdrop in shot | Classic photo strips, privacy | Slow-mo video clips for social |
| Group per take | 8–10+ | 2–4 | 1–4 on platform |
| Space needed | ~2 × 2 m + backdrop | ~2.5 × 2.5 m | ~3.5 m circle, level floor |
| Shareability | High | Medium | Very high |
| From (2026) | from $440 | from $690 | from $850 |
Every package includes delivery, setup, pack-down, an on-call attendant, instant digital sharing and $20M public liability cover. Weddings include a dedicated on-site attendant for the full booking.
Open-Air Photo Booth
An open-air booth is exactly what it sounds like: a camera and lighting setup facing an open backdrop, with no walls or curtain. Because nothing boxes guests in, you can fit a whole bridal party or a rowdy group of mates into a single frame — and your styled backdrop (or the venue itself) shows up in every shot.
Best for: weddings, engagement parties, corporate functions, and any event where group photos and a branded or styled backdrop matter.
Why people love it
Fits 8–10+ people per photo — no one gets left out
Your backdrop, florals or branding appear in every shot
Open, social setup that draws a crowd and keeps the energy up
Most flexible footprint — works in marquees, halls and tight venues
Worth knowing
It's less private than an enclosed booth, so it suits open, celebratory vibes more than cheeky solo strips
You'll want a styled backdrop to get the most out of it
Open-air is the most popular choice for Melbourne weddings for a reason — it photographs the people and the moment.
👉 See open-air photo booth packages →
Enclosed Photo Booth
The enclosed booth is the original — a private pod or curtained booth where guests step inside, pull the curtain, and let loose. What happens in the booth stays in the booth (until the strip prints, anyway). It's the format that built the photo booth craze, and it still delivers the classic strip-of-four keepsake.
Best for: birthdays, 21sts, smaller parties, and anyone who wants that nostalgic, slightly mischievous booth experience.
Why people love it
Privacy brings out the silliest, most genuine reactions
Classic printed photo strips guests pocket and keep
Self-contained — guests run it themselves
A nostalgic, instantly recognisable format
Worth knowing
Smaller capacity (2–4 per strip), so it's less suited to big group shots
Needs a bit more floor space than the open-air setup
If your event leans intimate and you love the traditional strip, this is your booth.
👉 See enclosed photo booth packages →
360 Video Booth
The 360 is the newest and most eye-catching of the three. Guests stand on a raised platform while a camera arm rotates around them, capturing slow-motion video set to music — the clips that flood Instagram and TikTok after every modern event. It's less a photo booth and more an entertainment centrepiece that creates its own crowd.
Best for: corporate launches, brand activations, milestone birthdays and luxury events where you want a premium, high-engagement moment.
Why people love it
Slow-motion video clips are built for social sharing
A genuine "wow" centrepiece that draws guests in
Branded overlays and intros make it a marketing tool for corporate events
Still rare enough that it makes your event stand out
Worth knowing
Needs the most space — roughly a 3.5 m clear circle on a level surface, plus a power point
It's a video format, so it won't produce traditional printed strips (pair it with another booth if you want both)
Operated by our team throughout the session, so guests always get a great clip
👉 See 360 video booth packages →
Which booth is right for your event?
Weddings — Open-air wins for most couples: big bridal-party shots, your backdrop in frame, and a dedicated on-site attendant for the whole reception. Add a 360 near the dance floor if you want viral clips after the speeches.
Birthdays & 21sts — Enclosed for the cheeky, private classic-strip energy, or a 360 to give a milestone birthday a cinematic highlight reel. Explore birthday packages →
Corporate events & brand activations — 360 is the standout: branded overlays, data capture and a magnet for foot traffic. Open-air works brilliantly too when you want logo backdrops and group shots. See brand activation options →
School formals — Open-air handles big friendship-group photos with ease, and a 360 adds a high-energy talking point. School formal packages →
Engagement & milestone parties — Open-air for the group celebration shots, 360 for the shareable moment. Many couples bundle both.
How to choose: four quick questions
How much space do you have? Tight venue → open-air. Plenty of room → 360 is on the table.
Group photos or solo moments? Big groups → open-air. Intimate and cheeky → enclosed.
Prints or social video? Keepsake strips → enclosed or open-air. Slow-mo clips → 360.
What's the vibe? Classic and fun → enclosed. Polished and inclusive → open-air. Premium showstopper → 360.
Still unsure? Tell us your event type, guest count and venue and we'll recommend the right setup.
Can you combine booths?
Yes — and it's our most popular upgrade for bigger events. A 360 + photo booth bundle covers both short shareable clips and printed keepsakes, and you save up to 10% on total hire. Weddings and corporate launches especially benefit from running two formats so every guest gets something they love.
👉 Build your combo on the packages page →
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an open-air and an enclosed photo booth? An open-air booth is open at the front with a visible backdrop and fits large groups, while an enclosed booth is a private pod or curtained space for smaller, cheekier classic-strip photos.
Is a 360 booth better than a regular photo booth? Neither is "better" — they do different jobs. A 360 booth captures slow-motion video built for social media, while open-air and enclosed booths produce printed photos and strips. Many events hire both.
Which photo booth is best for a Melbourne wedding? Open-air is the most popular choice for weddings because it fits the whole bridal party, shows your styled backdrop, and includes a dedicated on-site attendant for the full reception.
How much does photo booth hire cost in Melbourne? Open-air booths start from $440, enclosed from $690, and 360 video booths from $850, depending on duration and add-ons.
How much space does each booth need? An open-air setup needs around 2 × 2 m plus backdrop room, an enclosed booth around 2.5 × 2.5 m, and a 360 booth roughly a 3.5 m clear circle on a level surface with a power point.
Can I hire more than one booth for the same event? Yes. A 360 and photo booth combo is our most popular bundle and saves up to 10% on total hire.
Ready to pick your booth?
Whether it's an open-air crowd-pleaser, an enclosed classic or a 360 showstopper, we'll match the right booth to your Melbourne event.
