CAPTURE THE MAGIC: WICKED HALLOWEEN PHOTO BOOTH IDEAS!

Written By: Bec  |  Last Updated: 25.10.2023
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​Encourage guests' to get snap happy with a Spooktacular Halloween photo booth! Not only will it bring the fun to your haunted soiree, but it will also be a wicked part of the décor. A treat in more ways than one, if you will.

Inspired? Find EVERYTHING you need to know about this edgy activity below.

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Related: Halloween Themed Bachelorette
Related:​ 90+ Hen Do Theme Ideas​

DIY Halloween Photo Booth Ideas (Quick Overview)

Start by asking yourself a few questions. Will your Halloween photo booth be creepy, cute, creative? Are you aiming for a particular theme (farmhouse, science lab, pumpkin patch)? Or are you just after a spooky corner for some wicked shots? With a plan in place, source or make the appropriate décor and props, find a location to set up, and get to work on creating your eerily photogenic masterpiece!

Check out our favourite Halloween party ideas on Etsy!
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Plan it Out

Halloween themes range from the hilarious to the downright scary. Which begs the question - what theme are you aiming for?

​It's a good idea to think of the type of event you plan to host. As the type of booth you create will heavily depend on this.

Will it be cute? Creative? Extra scary? The choice is yours...!​

DIY ​Halloween Themed Backdrop Ideas

Here are some great DIY ideas that will help you set up a wicked photo booth:

FARMHOUSE FRENZY
Create a warm and welcoming backdrop that oozes farmhouse charm. Use wooden signs, painted or natural pumpkins, rustic lanterns and hay bales. You could even include some knitted Halloween items, wooden characters (such as ghosts or pumpkins), fabric garlands and blackboards (complete with spooky handwritten slogans).

Bunch together some beautiful blooms and display in mason jars, pumpkins or black vases for added colour.

​HAUNTED HOUSE
​What better way to create eerie scenes than with a haunted house backdrop? Draw inspiration from rooms or the house as a whole. Think moonlit skies, creepy windows, ghostly trees, draped fabrics, vintage furniture and broken props. Cobwebs, spiders and bats will add an eerie touch.

Handy Hint:
If you're crafty, the best way to create this type of backdrop is to paint it yourself! Not so great with a brush? Use your front door, an old door, or a window outside and set up your 'booth' around it (simply add a few finishing touches such as ivy, branches, cobwebs and 'spiders').

​PUMPKIN PATCH
Pumpkins, hay bales, rustic items and autumn leaves will transform your backyard into a real-life pumpkin patch scene. For added eeriness, set up scarecrows or skeletons, and perhaps a spooky sign or two.

Handy Tip:
Bring the outdoors in. Find a corner or empty space of your venue and set up your hay bales there. Add the rest of your items to bring the scene to life!

SCIENCE LAB
Transform your photo booth area into a mad scientist's lab! Display a variety of glass jars, bottles and containers on shelves - each featuring their own 'potion' or mysterious treat. You could also set up a table featuring bubbling concoctions, beakers and test tubes for extra authenticity.

Lab equipment printouts (such as microscope diagrams) are another option that help set the scene.

Finish it all off with themed props (such as lab coats, wigs, rubber gloves and safety goggles).

Create an Immersive Experience:
Use your 'science lab' as a cocktail mixing station! Fill jars with different spirits, juices, mixers and garnishes - each with individual labels so that party goers know what's what. Guests can then get to work in the 'lab', pouring 'potions' into their very own beaker cups. For those who are truly in the party mode, test tube shots will take things up a notch.

​And remember to get snap happy whilst your 'scientists' work their magic!

​THE ABANDONED ROOM
Bring the creep factor with ripped curtains, leaves on the ground, ivy covered walls and an old, antique chair. Old furniture, melted candlesticks and vintage frames will also add to the spooky atmosphere.

​WITCH'S LAIR
​Turn your photo booth area into a wicked witch's dream! Broomsticks, spell books, potion bottles, cauldrons, and perhaps even a cheeky black cat will create a backdrop that could easily pass as a mysterious lair. Pillar candles, rustic furniture and potion 'ingredients' will add to the magic.

Handy Hint:
Set up your guest book (that is, a LARGE, worn 'spell' book) as part of your photo booth area. Guests can write messages after snapping some pictures. If you have a polaroid camera, instant photos can become part of the book as well.

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Additional Backdrop Tips & Tricks

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CAPTURING MEMORIES
Set up a tripod (or provide another stable surface) where party people can place their phone or camera. This will allow everyone to enjoy the photo booth, without the need for an actual 'photographer'. Simply set a timer on your device of choice and get posing!

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GET CREATIVE
​Tap into your inner artist and create something unique, memorable and oh so fun. From floating cheesecloth ghosts and flickering black candles, to carved pumpkins, DIY spider webs and colourful bunting - you'll be surprised by how easy it is to turn your space from drab to (spookily) fab in no time!

Handy Hint:
Create large silhouettes out of black paper and attach to the wall for instant haunted house feels!

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MAKE USE OF PLAIN WALLS
Use a brick, wooden or dark wall as your backdrop. As you'll be in costume already, these simple background ideas will be more than enough to encourage some photo fun! Pair with a basket of ominous props for the full experience.

On the flip side, use a plain white or light coloured wall as your backdrop - an easy option that will highlight your costumes.

Handy Hint:
Place a chair and simple décor, such as bunting, in front of the wall for a simple yet effective 'booth'.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Fog machines and colourful lights are a great way to up the drama factor of your photos. 

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OPT FOR PRE-MADE
Add instant atmosphere to any venue with a pre-made backdrop (such as the one pictured below). These will not only make for a show-stopping photo booth at the time, but can also be used again and again at future Halloween events. 

Alternative:
Hire a backdrop from a local party business who can set up and pack up for you!

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HIRE AN ACTUAL PHOTO BOOTH
And last but certainly not least, there is the option of hiring a booth.
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When it comes to these beauties, we're spoilt for choice. Open-air photo booths, enclosed booths, vans, mini buses, GIF booths, mirror booths, and retro booths are just some of the options available to hire these days.

And the best part?

​A lot of businesses can customise their photo strips. Meaning you can work with the owner to add an eerie touch to the final product.

Handy Tip:
Choose a booth that will compliment your Halloween event. A bright and colourful booth, for example, would be out of place at your dark and enchanting venue. On the flip side, the right mirror booth could make a perfect addition to your spooky space.

Halloween Photo Booth Props

Props will take your Halloween booth to the next level. You can either make themed props and accessories yourself, collect suitable items from local thrift stores, or purchase from a local party store.​

PROPS YOU CAN USE AT YOUR NEXT HALLOWEEN PARTY:

• Blackboards and chalk: party goers can write down Halloween inspired phrases or funny slogans and hold them up for the camera
• Selfies: using a fun or spooky Halloween 'selfie frame' prop
• Halloween accessories: dark veils, masks, spell books, witch and wizard hats, a pumpkin head... anything that compliments your theme can be used as a prop!
• Oversized accessories: think hilariously large props like huge wizard hats!
• Photo frames: filled with spooky puns, messages or sayings
• Potion bottles: fill jars with coloured liquid. Label with fun 'potion' names if you wish.
• Props on sticks: attach wooden skewers to a printed image. These could be creepy accessories, speech bubbles with Halloween phrases or spooky characters.
• Spider webs: that can be draped over guests or used as a background prop in a photo

Handy Hint:
Have a designated area for your props. Ideally this would be somewhere near the photo booth, but not so close that it obstructs the camera's view or gets in the way. Encourage guests to get creative with their spooky snaps by providing a variety of fun, horrifying and unique props that they can mix and match throughout the event!

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HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS:

Think about it. Scary costumes, hauntingly beautiful food, games with a spooky twist… it would definitely be an event to remember! For those of you who would love to host the creepiest hens of the year (or are  intrigued by what such a party would entail), read on! 

Click here to read the article now.

90+ HEN PARTY THEMES:

From outrageous fancy dress to beautiful bold colours, there are bound to be hen themes that suit your bride-to-be’s personality perfectly! Check out the options in this article for instant inspiration.

Click here to read the article now.

Enjoy Those Spooky Snaps!

A Halloween booth can be a fun, unique and memorable part of your event. And with so many DIY options, it's doable for any budget.


So why not get extra snap happy this spooky season?!


If you have any scary cool ideas to add to our list above (for booths and Halloween photo booth props), we'd love to hear about them. Likewise, if you put together a booth of your own (or hire one in), we would absolutely love to see your images (as would our wonderful community!).

Cheers to an EXTRA awesome backdrop, and incredible photo memories. Happy Halloween!

- Bec :)

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​P.S. The image below is perfect for Pinterest... Go on and share these Halloween themed photobooth ideas - you know you want to! :)