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Your Photo Booth Guide

Step-by-step guides for setup, operation and all features – so your event becomes unforgettable.

Introduction#

Boothy turns any Windows PC into a professional, self-service photo booth. Guests interact directly with the touchscreen – no operator needed. Whether you're hosting a wedding, corporate event, birthday party, or trade show, Boothy handles everything from photo capture to sharing.

Boothy Desktop

The main photo booth app. Runs on your Windows PC as a fullscreen kiosk. Required for operation.

Companion Display

Optional. Shows a live photo slideshow and leaderboard on any TV or second screen.

Boothy Roamer

Optional. Lets guests capture photos using their own smartphones and upload them directly to the event.

Boothy Desktop is the only component you need for a fully functional photo booth. The Companion Display and Roamer are optional extras that enhance the guest experience.

System Requirements#

For the Photo Booth (Boothy Desktop)

ComponentMinimumRecommended
Operating SystemWindows 10 (64-bit)Windows 11
ProcessorDual-core 2 GHzQuad-core 3 GHz
RAM4 GB8 GB
Storage500 MB + photosSSD 50+ GB
CameraUSB webcamCanon or Nikon DSLR via USB
DisplayAny monitorTouchscreen

Supported Cameras

USB Webcam

Any USB webcam works out of the box. Best for casual events with good ambient lighting.

Canon DSLR

Connect a compatible Canon EOS camera via USB for professional photo quality and native shutter control.

Nikon DSLR

Connect a compatible Nikon DSLR via USB for professional results with native shutter control.

For the Companion Display (optional)

Any device with a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) connected to the same local network as the booth. Smart TVs, tablets, laptops, and smartphones all work.

Installation#

Boothy installs via a simple Windows setup wizard. The whole process takes under five minutes.

1

Visit boothy.eu/download and download the latest Boothy installer.

2

Run the downloaded file (BoothySetup.exe) to start the setup wizard.

3

Follow the on-screen prompts and click Install.

4

Boothy launches automatically when installation is complete.

If Windows Defender SmartScreen shows a warning, click "More info" and then "Run anyway". This is a standard security prompt for newly published software. Boothy is safe and code-signed.

Getting Started#

The first time you launch Boothy, a setup wizard guides you through everything step by step. You can change all of these settings later in the admin panel.

1

Choose your language

Select German or English. All on-screen text and guest-facing messages use this language. You can switch at any time.

2

Set your admin password

Create a password to protect the settings during your event. Keep it short and easy to type on a touchscreen.

3

Customize your event branding

Enter your event name, choose a font style from 9 options, and pick a color scheme from 9 gradient presets. Your branding appears on the start screen and is embedded in every photo.

4

Select features

Choose which features to activate: QR code download, printing, gallery, AI background removal, stickers, video, boomerang, gamification, and Roamer.

5

Network & sharing settings

Configure your WiFi network if you enabled QR code sharing or email. Boothy detects available networks automatically.

6

Launch

Open the fullscreen kiosk – ready for guests – or go to the admin panel to fine-tune your setup first.

Start Screen#

The start screen is what guests see when they approach the booth. It is designed to be immediately intuitive – even for first-time users.

Touch to Start button

A large, prominent button invites guests to begin their photo session.

Live camera preview

Guests see themselves on screen in real time, so they know the camera is ready.

Event name & branding

Your event name and color scheme are displayed prominently at all times.

Floating photo gallery

Recent photos float around the screen, showing guests what kind of results to expect.

QR code for download

A persistent QR code lets guests access the photo gallery from their phone at any time.

Event timer

An optional countdown shows time until the event starts or ends, turning red as time runs out.

If your event has a set start time and it has not begun yet, the booth shows a waiting screen with a countdown. After the event ends, it switches to an end screen automatically.

Capture Modes#

Boothy offers three capture modes. You decide which ones are available at your event – guests can then choose their preferred mode from the start screen.

PhotoAll plans

The classic mode. A 3-2-1 countdown builds anticipation, then the shutter clicks to capture the moment. Guests see a live preview throughout. The result is a sharp, high-quality photo ready to share or print.

VideoPremium

Record a short video clip. The duration is configurable in the admin panel. Great for capturing longer moments, speeches, or group interactions.

BoomerangPremium

Records a short clip that plays forward and backward in a seamless loop – like Instagram Boomerang. Perfect for fun gestures, jumps, and celebrations.

Customize Your Photos#

After taking a photo, guests enter an editing screen to personalize their result before saving. Every photo is also automatically composed into your custom event template.

Photo Filters

Choose from 12 creative filters:

OriginalBlack & WhiteNoirSepiaClarendonVintageFilmGoldenArcticPopFadeBloom

AI Background Removal (Premium)

Automatically separate the subject from the background and replace it with one of four options:

Keep original

No background change.

Blur background

The background is softened for a portrait-style depth effect.

Solid color

Replace the background with any color.

Custom image

Replace the background with an image – perfect for branded photo ops.

Stickers & Props (Premium)

Guests place fun stickers and props on their photo using touch gestures. Stickers can be dragged, resized with a pinch, and rotated freely. You can add custom sticker packs in the admin panel.

Photo Templates & Event Branding

Every photo is automatically composed into your custom event template. Templates frame the photo with your event name, logo, and decorative elements – giving every output a professional, branded look without any extra effort from guests.

Design templates in the admin panel with the visual drag-and-drop editor. Add photo slots, text overlays, and logo overlays wherever you like. Templates support both landscape and portrait orientations.

Sharing Photos#

Boothy offers multiple ways for guests to receive and keep their photos. You choose which sharing options to enable for your event.

QR Code DownloadPremium

After each photo, a unique QR code appears on screen. Guests scan it with their smartphone and the photo downloads instantly to their camera roll. No account or email address needed.

Print on-siteAll plans

Print photos directly from the booth on any Windows-compatible printer. Supports A4, A5, A6, 10×15 cm, 4×6 in, and more. Enable AutoPrint to print automatically after every capture.

EmailPremium

Guests enter their email address at the booth and receive their photo by email. Requires an email webhook to be configured in the admin panel under Network & Sharing.

Cloud SyncPremium

All photos are automatically uploaded to your cloud storage after each capture. Supports Google Drive, Dropbox, and Nextcloud. Photos are queued when offline and synced when the connection returns.

Gallery#

All captured photos, videos, and boomerangs are saved to the device and accessible through the built-in gallery. Guests can browse from the start screen, and you can access it from the admin panel.

Filter by type

View all media or filter to show only photos, videos, or boomerangs.

Fullscreen lightbox

Tap any photo to view it fullscreen with pan and zoom.

Sort by date

Sort from newest to oldest or vice versa.

Saved automatically

All media is saved locally and persists between sessions.

Companion Display#

The Companion Display turns any TV, projector, or second monitor into a live event screen. It shows a live photo slideshow and – when Gamification is on – the live leaderboard. It runs in any web browser, no extra app needed.

How to set it up

1

In the admin panel, go to Network & Sharing and enable the Companion Display.

2

Note the URL shown (e.g. http://192.168.1.10:5050/companion).

3

On the TV or second device, open a browser and enter that URL.

4

The display syncs automatically and stays up to date in real time.

Live photo slideshow

A 3×3 grid of the most recent photos, updating automatically with each new capture.

Live leaderboard

Shows the current top 10 players when Gamification is enabled.

New photo highlight

Each new photo is highlighted with an animation for a few seconds.

Auto-rotation

Automatically alternates between gallery and leaderboard view.

Both the booth PC and the display device must be on the same local network (WiFi or LAN). A smart TV with a built-in browser, a Chromecast, or a Fire TV Stick all work great.

Boothy Roamer#

Boothy Roamer extends your photo booth beyond the physical station. Guests and photographers can capture moments from anywhere at the event using their own smartphones – and every photo appears instantly in the main gallery, Companion Display, and gamification leaderboard.

Roamer is a Premium feature. No app download is required – everything runs directly in the phone browser. Guests simply scan a QR code to join.

What guests can do

Take photos on their phone

Use the smartphone camera to capture moments anywhere at the venue.

Upload to the event gallery

Photos appear instantly in the main gallery and on the Companion Display.

Browse event photos

Scroll through all photos from the event directly on their phone.

Like photos

Like their favorite photos from other guests.

Remote shutter

Trigger the main booth camera remotely – great for group shots from a distance.

No app needed

Roamer works entirely in the phone browser. No download or registration required.

How to activate Roamer

Enable Roamer in the admin panel under Features. A QR code for guests appears automatically on the start screen. Make sure all guest devices are connected to the same WiFi network as the booth.

Gamification & Leaderboard#

Turn your event into a friendly competition. Guests register at the booth, complete photo challenges to earn points, and compete on a live leaderboard. A great way to keep guests engaged and encourage more photos throughout the event.

How it works

1

Register at the booth

Guests enter their name (email is optional) and can optionally take a profile photo with a 3-second countdown.

2

Complete challenges

Guests select a challenge and take the required photo. You define the challenges – for example: 'Take a photo with the host' or 'Best group selfie'.

3

Earn points

Each completed challenge awards the configured number of points. Points accumulate in real time.

4

Celebrate the winners

The top 3 get gold, silver, and bronze on the leaderboard. Display it on the Companion Display for everyone to see.

In compliance with GDPR, guest profile photos are automatically deleted after a configurable number of days (default: 30 days).

Admin Panel#

The admin panel is your control center during events. Access it at any time without interrupting guests – the booth stays in kiosk mode while you work in the background.

How to open the admin panel

Tap quickly five times in the bottom-left corner of the screen, then enter your admin password. This gesture is invisible to guests and will not trigger by accident.

What you can manage

Overview: Live event statistics: total captures, photos, videos, boomerangs, print count, and session duration.
Session: Change event name, branding, fonts, colors, start/end times, and the active photo template.
Hardware & Camera: Select camera, printer, screen orientation, and toggle Performance Mode for slower PCs.
Network & Sharing: Configure WiFi, QR code sharing, email webhook, and cloud sync providers.
Features: Enable or disable individual features: video, boomerang, AI background, stickers, Roamer, Gamification, Companion Display.
Templates: Design and manage photo templates with the visual drag-and-drop editor.
Gamification: Create challenges, view scores, manage players, and reset the game.
License: View your license status and activate or deactivate your license key.
Updates: Check for new Boothy versions and install them directly from here.
"Delete all photos" and "Factory reset" in the admin panel sidebar are permanent. Factory reset removes all photos, settings, and templates – your license key is preserved. Use with care.

License Plans#

Boothy offers flexible plans to match any usage. All plans include the core photo booth experience. Premium plans unlock advanced features and remove all limits.

Free (Trial)

  • Up to 10 captures total
  • 50 prints per event
  • All features unlocked for testing
  • No time limit

Included with download

Premium

  • Unlimited captures
  • Unlimited printing
  • AI background removal
  • Stickers & props
  • Cloud sync (Google Drive, Dropbox, Nextcloud)
  • Boothy Roamer
  • Boothy Cloud gallery
  • Priority support

Day · Week · Month · Lifetime

How to activate your license

1

Purchase your license at boothy.lemonsqueezy.com.

2

Your license key arrives by email immediately after purchase.

3

Open Boothy – the activation screen appears automatically on first launch, or go to Admin Panel → License.

4

Enter your license key and click Activate.

5

All Premium features are unlocked instantly.

Your license is tied to one computer. You can deactivate it and move it to a different machine at any time from Admin Panel → License.

Help & FAQ#

Answers to the most common questions. If you do not find what you need, our support team is happy to help.

The camera is not being detected.
Make sure the camera is plugged in via USB and not open in another app like Windows Camera or Zoom. For DSLR cameras, ensure it is switched on and set to PC Connection or Remote Control mode. Try a different USB port or cable if the issue persists.
The Companion Display shows Connecting.
Make sure Boothy Desktop is running and the Companion Display is enabled under Features in the admin panel. Both devices must be on the same WiFi or LAN network. Check that no firewall is blocking the connection.
Photos look blurry or dark.
Good, even lighting is the single biggest factor for photo quality. Add a ring light or softbox facing the guests. For consistently sharp results, connect a Canon or Nikon DSLR via USB instead of a webcam.
The printer is not printing.
Verify the printer is installed in Windows and appears as available. In the admin panel under Hardware & Camera, make sure the correct printer is selected. Also check whether a print limit has been set and reached.
Cloud sync is not working.
Use the Sync now button in the admin panel sidebar to trigger a manual sync and see error messages. Check that your credentials are correct under Network & Sharing. Photos taken offline are queued automatically and sync when the connection returns.
AI background removal looks inaccurate.
The feature works best with even lighting and a clear contrast between subject and background. Spotty lighting, patterned backgrounds, or flowing clothing can reduce accuracy. Improving event lighting has the biggest impact.
Guests cannot connect to Boothy Roamer.
Make sure Roamer is enabled under Features in the admin panel. Both the booth and guest phones must be on the same WiFi network. The QR code on the start screen takes guests directly to the Roamer page. Try increasing screen brightness if the QR code does not scan.

Support

Did not find an answer? Our support team is happy to help.