You’ve been looking forward to movie night all week. You arrive at the theater with friends and head for the popcorn, but someone stops along the way. There’s a photo booth in the lobby, and you’ve got ten minutes before the show. Of course you’re going in!
That’s the appeal of a photo booth for movie theaters: a little extra fun that nobody had planned on. The strip becomes a souvenir of the outing, with your theater’s name right there beside the photos.
What Should Your Branded Photo Strips Include?
At first, it’s not necessary to change photo strip designs for every movie. You can just go for a general branded template or create customized ones for special movie screenings. Either way, it’s your call and should align with your marketing goals.
Here’s what to include:
- The theater’s name and location. A small logo above or below the photos is enough. If you have several branches, add the location to avoid confusion about where the pictures were taken.
- Add a date or screening name when it matters. Guests at an anniversary screening might appreciate that detail. For an ordinary Saturday visit, your usual branding will do. Use studio- or distributor-approved artwork for film-specific campaigns.
- Photos large enough to enjoy. Don’t shrink the pictures to fit another message. Look through these photo strip templates to see how different layouts use the space. A custom template can work your theater’s colors into the border.
- Your social handle. Put it somewhere readable so guests can find your account if they decide to post. There’s no need to repeat it beside every frame.
- An optional QR code. Give it a clear purpose, such as opening next month’s screening schedule. Just make sure the photo design doesn’t look too crowded.
Before approving the design, print it at its actual size. Can you read the branch name? Does the QR code work? Always have extra space around the borders so nothing gets accidentally trimmed. Also check the digital copy on a phone.
Why Add a Permanent Booth to Your Movie Theater?
A permanent booth stays available between special events. Someone coming in for a weekday matinee can use it just as easily as a guest at a sold-out premiere. That gives your theater a few ways to make use of it.
1. Something to Do Before the Doors Open
There’s often a gap between buying snacks and taking a seat. Guests who get there early can hop into the booth for a few photos with friends.
An enclosed photo booth gives them privacy, especially with people waiting to enter the theater. The curtain lets people be silly and have fun with their looks and poses.
Put the booth somewhere guests will spot it, and leave enough room for anyone waiting their turn. Check the placement during a busy changeover. Keep the photo and popcorn lines separate from each other and the theater entrances.
2. Give Guests a Little Extra With Their Ticket
Sometimes the best part of movie night is getting everyone together. A photo strip gives guests something to keep from that birthday celebration or long-overdue catch-up with friends. Add your theater’s name without crowding the photos, and they’ll remember where they took it.
You could also offer one photo booth session with each ticket for selected screenings. This attractive perk may be the deal breaker that pushes guests to choose your movie theater over others in the area. Also, offer these on slower days and monitor whether guests actually use them.
Keep the details clear: one included session per eligible ticket, with one print per session. Friends can also get the digital version, so everyone has a copy to keep.
3. Income Beyond Tickets and Concessions
Premieres and special screenings let you earn from photo sessions tied to the event. You could offer a strip designed for the occasion and charge per session, or include a prepaid session in the private screening’s booking price.
On regular movie days, paid sessions can bring in extra revenue from a permanent photo booth, especially during busy weekends. Friends waiting for their show or couples heading out afterward might stop for a few photos. This is an instant low-maintenance extra income.
Once it’s running, compare weekday and weekend numbers. See how much you’re earning so you can decide whether to keep both session offerings.
4. Fresh Designs for Returning Guests
Give guests a choice of strips inspired by the movies you’re showing. Friends heading into a horror film might go for its spooky design, while a family picks one featuring the animated movie they’ve come to see. For a monthly film club, a different strip at each screening gives regulars a little collection to build.
Stay Golden can help bring those ideas together with a custom photo strip design. Our graphic designer can create a template around your screening’s theme instead of using a preset layout. Make sure to include the date and your logo in the print.
As your movie lineup changes, refresh the designs to match. Someone who used the booth last weekend may spot a new release strip and want another for their collection.
5. A Place to Promote the Next Visit
Someone who enjoyed one classic-film night may be interested in the next. The QR code on the photo strip can serve as a reference point where guests can always check upcoming movie schedules.
It can also show current promo offerings to past customers, like a redemption code you can track.
Optional photo booth data capture also lets interested guests sign up for news. Keep that choice separate from receiving their photos, and don’t count downloads as public social shares.
Bring a Permanent Photo Booth to Your Theater
Stay Golden Photo Booth’s Permanent Venue Placement Program offers approved movie theaters a permanent booth with no upfront cost and revenue-sharing options. Purchase and rental arrangements are available, too.
We’ll look at your available space and customer traffic, then plan the installation around your lobby. Our team handles design and delivery, including testing and launch. We can match the booth to your interior and refresh the strips and welcome screen for seasonal promotions.
Before launch, we’ll help confirm power and internet access and train staff on operation and basic troubleshooting. Daily cleaning and supply checks should have a clear owner. Our guide to permanent photo booths in coffee shops covers more of that day-to-day setup.
We’ll also explain how maintenance, printer supplies, and software updates work under your agreement, including who to contact for help.
Contact Stay Golden to discuss a booth for your theater and the photo strips you have in mind.
