How to Set Up an AI Photo Booth: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up an AI photo booth for an event can feel daunting the first time, but with the right preparation it is surprisingly straightforward. This guide walks you through every step, from choosing hardware to running your first AI-transformed photo, so you can deliver an unforgettable experience for your guests.

Whether you are a photo booth operator expanding into AI, an event planner exploring interactive entertainment, or a brand activation specialist looking for a new engagement tool, this guide has you covered. By the end you will have a fully functional AI photo booth ready for your next corporate event, wedding, trade show, or brand activation.

What You Need to Get Started

An AI photo booth combines familiar photo booth hardware with cloud-powered AI transformations. At a high level you need three things:

Hardware — a computer, a camera, and a display. Optional extras include a photo printer and a ring light.
An AI PhotoBooth account — this gives you access to the admin dashboard where you configure everything: AI modes, prompts, branding, delivery, and analytics.
The kiosk application — a dedicated app that runs on the event computer, captures photos, and communicates with the AI service in real time.

The cloud does all the heavy AI processing, so the on-site hardware requirements are modest. Any modern laptop is powerful enough. Let us break each component down.

Hardware Requirements

One of the biggest advantages of a cloud-based AI photo booth is that you do not need an expensive GPU rig on-site. Here is what you need:

Computer

Any modern Windows PC or Linux machine will work. A laptop is the most convenient choice for portability, but a mini desktop PC tucked behind the booth works just as well. Key requirements:

Windows 10/11 or a recent Linux distribution (Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 38+, etc.)
At least 8 GB of RAM
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet — Ethernet is strongly recommended for reliability)
One or more USB ports for the camera
An HDMI or DisplayPort output for the kiosk display

Pro tip: If you plan to use the hand gesture control feature (available on Windows), look for a machine with a dedicated GPU or an Intel processor with integrated graphics that supports DirectML. This enables touchless interaction where guests control the booth with hand gestures instead of a touchscreen.

Camera

You have two main options:

USB webcam — the simplest option. A Logitech C920 or C930 delivers excellent 1080p quality and is plug-and-play. Great for quick setups and smaller events.
DSLR or mirrorless camera via HDMI capture card — for premium quality. Connect a Canon, Sony, or Nikon camera to your computer using an HDMI capture card (such as the Elgato Cam Link 4K). This gives you superior image quality, shallow depth of field, and better low-light performance.

Whichever option you choose, aim for at least 1080p resolution. The AI transformations look best when they have a high-quality source image to work with.

Display

You need a screen for guests to interact with the kiosk interface. Options include:

A touchscreen monitor (15 to 27 inches works well)
A standard monitor paired with physical buttons or hand gesture control
A tablet mounted in a stand (for a more compact footprint)

Touchscreen monitors are the most popular choice because guests intuitively know how to use them. A 21-inch touchscreen in landscape orientation is the sweet spot for most setups.

Optional: Photo Printer

While digital delivery via QR code is the default, many event operators add an instant photo printer for a tangible keepsake. Supported printers include dye-sublimation models from DNP and HiTi, which produce smudge-proof, lab-quality prints in seconds. This is especially popular at weddings and high-end corporate galas.

Optional: Ring Light

Consistent, flattering lighting makes a huge difference in photo quality. A ring light mounted around or above the camera provides even illumination and minimizes harsh shadows. This is a small investment that significantly improves results, especially in dimly lit event venues.

Creating Your Account

With your hardware ready, the next step is creating your AI PhotoBooth account.

Go to dashboard.aiteklabs.com/register and sign up with your email address. You can also sign in with Google for a faster start.
Verify your email address by clicking the link in the confirmation email.
Log in to the admin dashboard. You will land on the overview page, which gives you a snapshot of your account: active photobooths, recent generations, credit balance, and quick links to all major features.

Every new account starts on the free plan with 3 credits included. Each credit represents one AI photo generation, so you can immediately run a few test transformations without entering any payment details. This is enough to test face swap, live edit, and see the full workflow end to end.

When you are ready to scale up, you can upgrade to the Starter, Pro, or Enterprise plan directly from the dashboard. For a detailed breakdown of what each plan includes, see our pricing guide.

Configuring Your Photo Booth

Now it is time to create and configure your first photobooth. In the admin dashboard:

Navigate to Photobooths in the sidebar and click Create Photobooth.
Give it a name (for example, “Corporate Gala 2026” or “Trade Show Booth A”).
Choose which AI modes to enable. You can activate one or more:
- Face Swap — replaces the guest’s face onto a target image. Great for superhero themes, historical figures, or brand mascots.
- Live Edit — transforms the entire photo based on a text prompt. For example, “Turn this person into a pixel art character” or “Place this person on the surface of Mars.”
- Virtual Try-On — lets guests virtually wear clothing items from a product catalog. Ideal for fashion brands and retail activations.
- Style Transfer — applies an artistic style to the photo, such as watercolor, oil painting, or pop art.
Configure additional settings such as branding (logo overlays, color themes), gallery options, and delivery preferences. We will cover delivery in detail later.

Pro tip: Start simple. For your first event, enable one or two AI modes and get comfortable with the workflow. You can always add more modes later. Face swap and live edit are the most popular starting points because they produce dramatic, share-worthy results with minimal configuration.

Designing Your Prompts

Prompts are the creative engine of your AI photo booth. They tell the AI what kind of transformation to apply. AI PhotoBooth uses a hierarchical prompt system that gives you fine-grained control.

How the Prompt System Works

Prompts are organized in a hierarchy. At the top level you define categories (for example, “Superheroes”, “Fantasy Worlds”, “Corporate Branding”), and within each category you create individual prompts. When a guest uses the booth, they can browse categories and pick the transformation they want, or you can pre-select a single prompt for a streamlined experience.

Writing Effective Prompts for Each Mode

Face Swap prompts: Provide a clear target image and a descriptive label. The AI handles the face replacement automatically, so the prompt is mostly about selecting good target images. Choose high-resolution images with a clearly visible face in a well-lit setting.
Live Edit prompts: Be specific and descriptive. Instead of “make it cool”, write “Transform this person into a cyberpunk warrior with neon blue armor, standing in a rain-soaked Tokyo alley at night.” The more detail you provide, the more consistent and impressive the results.
Virtual Try-On prompts: These work with a clothing catalog rather than freeform text. Upload product images and the AI maps them onto the guest’s body. Focus on curating a clean, well-photographed catalog.
Style Transfer prompts: Reference the artistic style you want. Examples include “Van Gogh Starry Night style”, “retro comic book illustration”, or “Japanese woodblock print.” Combining a style with a scene description yields the best results.

Product Placement

For brand activations, you can use the product placement feature to incorporate branded elements into the AI transformation. This means the guest’s transformed photo can naturally include your product, logo, or brand environment — a powerful tool for generating organic social media shares.

Pro tip: Test your prompts before the event with several different face types and poses. What works for one person might not look great for another. Aim for prompts that produce consistently good results across a wide range of inputs.

Setting Up the Kiosk Application

The kiosk application is what runs on the event computer and provides the guest-facing interface. Here is how to get it up and running:

Download the kiosk app from the admin dashboard. It is available for Windows and Linux. The Windows version includes additional features like hand gesture control.
Install and launch the application. On first run, it will ask you to log in with your device token. You can generate a device token from the admin dashboard under Photobooths > Devices.
Connect your camera. The kiosk app will automatically detect available cameras. Select your preferred camera from the settings menu. For DSLR setups, make sure the HDMI capture card is connected before launching the app.
Configure the display. Set the kiosk to full-screen mode so guests see a clean, distraction-free interface. You can configure orientation (landscape or portrait) and mirroring in the settings.
Select your photobooth. The app will show all photobooths associated with your account. Select the one you configured earlier.
Test the camera feed. Verify that the live preview looks good: correct orientation, good framing, and proper exposure. Adjust your camera position, angle, and ring light as needed.

Touch and Input Configuration

The kiosk supports multiple input methods:

Touchscreen — the default mode. Guests tap to navigate, take photos, and select prompts.
Hand gestures (Windows kiosk only) — guests can control the booth entirely with hand movements. Open palm to take a photo, thumbs up to confirm, pointing to select options. No physical contact required, which is ideal for hygiene-conscious events.
Physical buttons — you can connect external buttons via USB for a tactile, arcade-style experience.

Configuring Photo Delivery

After the AI transforms a guest’s photo, you need a way to deliver it. AI PhotoBooth supports several delivery methods, and you can enable multiple at the same time.

QR Code Delivery

This is the most popular option. After the generation completes, the kiosk displays a QR code. The guest scans it with their phone and is taken to a delivery page where they can view, download, and share the photo. No app download required.

QR code delivery is fast, contactless, and works on any smartphone. It is the recommended default for most events.

Email Delivery

If you want to capture guest email addresses (great for lead generation at corporate events and trade shows), you can enable email delivery. The kiosk prompts the guest to enter their email, and the photo is sent directly to their inbox with your branding.

Printing

For events where a physical keepsake matters, connect a dye-sublimation photo printer. The kiosk can send the transformed photo to the printer automatically or give the guest a choice between digital and print delivery. Supported printers include:

DNP DS620A, DS820A
HiTi P525L, P750L

Configure print sizes and templates in the admin dashboard under your photobooth settings.

Event Gallery

You can also enable an event gallery that collects all generated photos in a shareable online gallery. This is great for post-event engagement — guests can browse all photos, find theirs, and share on social media. Gallery URLs are customizable, and you can moderate content before it appears publicly.

Testing Before Your Event

Never skip testing. Even a five-minute dry run can save you from embarrassing issues on event day. Here is your pre-event testing checklist:

Run 2-3 test generations. Take a photo and let the full AI pipeline run. Verify the transformation looks good, the timing is acceptable (typically 15-30 seconds depending on the mode), and the result matches your prompt.
Test every delivery method. Scan the QR code with your phone. Send a test email. Print a test photo. Make sure each works flawlessly.
Verify branding and templates. If you have uploaded logo overlays or custom templates, check that they render correctly on the final photo. Pay attention to positioning, transparency, and resolution.
Test with different people. AI transformations can look different depending on face shape, skin tone, glasses, hats, and group sizes. Test with a few different people to make sure results are consistently good.
Simulate the guest flow. Walk through the entire experience as if you were a guest: approach the booth, take a photo, choose a prompt, wait for the transformation, receive the result. Time it and look for any confusing steps.

Pro tip: Use your 3 free credits for testing. If you need more test generations before committing to a paid plan, contact support and we can help.

Day-of Event Checklist

The big day is here. Follow this checklist to ensure a smooth experience:

Arrive early. Give yourself at least 60 minutes before the first guests arrive. You need time to set up hardware, connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and run a final test generation.
Test the internet connection. AI photo transformations require a stable internet connection. If the venue Wi-Fi is unreliable, bring a mobile hotspot as backup. An Ethernet connection is always preferred.
Run a live test generation. Take one photo and run it through the full pipeline. Confirm the result appears on the kiosk screen and delivery works.
Check your credit balance. Make sure you have enough credits for the expected number of guests. A typical event uses one credit per guest interaction. You can purchase additional credit packs from the dashboard at any time, even mid-event.
Position the booth. Place it in a high-traffic area with good lighting. Make sure there is enough space for a short queue and that the screen is visible but not directly in sunlight (which causes glare).
Have a backup plan. Bring a spare USB webcam in case your primary camera fails. Have your mobile hotspot ready. Keep the support email ([email protected]) handy.
Monitor the analytics dashboard. The admin dashboard provides real-time analytics: how many photos have been generated, delivery success rates, and queue status. Check in periodically throughout the event.
Assign an attendant. Even the most intuitive booth benefits from a friendly staff member nearby to guide guests, troubleshoot minor issues, and keep the line moving.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with thorough preparation, issues can arise. Here are the most common problems and how to resolve them quickly:

Camera Not Detected

Unplug and replug the USB cable.
Try a different USB port (USB 3.0 ports are preferred).
For DSLR setups, make sure the camera is powered on and the HDMI output is active. Some cameras disable HDMI output in certain menu modes.
Restart the kiosk application after reconnecting the camera.
On Linux, check that your user has permission to access the camera device (usually /dev/video0).

Slow or Failed Generations

Check your internet connection speed. AI generations require uploading the photo and downloading the result. A minimum of 10 Mbps upload/download is recommended.
If generations are timing out, the AI service may be experiencing high demand. Wait a moment and try again. The kiosk will automatically retry failed generations.
Virtual try-on takes slightly longer than other modes (typically 20-30 seconds vs 15-20 seconds for face swap) because it processes clothing mapping. Set guest expectations accordingly.

QR Code Not Scanning

Increase the screen brightness on the kiosk display.
Make sure there is no glare on the screen from overhead lights or windows.
Ask the guest to hold their phone steady about 15-20 cm from the screen.
Some older phones struggle with QR codes. In that case, offer the email delivery option as an alternative.

Printer Issues

Ensure the printer is powered on and connected via USB before launching the kiosk app.
Check paper and ribbon levels. Dye-sublimation printers consume both media and ribbon for each print.
If prints are coming out with incorrect colors, recalibrate the printer using its built-in utility.
Keep spare media and ribbon on hand. A 400-print media kit is a good stock for most events.

Kiosk App Freezing or Crashing

Make sure the computer is not running other resource-heavy applications in the background.
Disable Windows Update and automatic system updates during the event.
If the app crashes, simply restart it. Your photobooth configuration is saved on the server, so nothing is lost.
Check that your device token has not expired. You can generate a new one from the admin dashboard.

Advanced Features

Once you are comfortable with the basics, explore these advanced features to take your AI photo booth to the next level.

Hand Gesture Control (Windows Kiosk)

The Windows kiosk application includes built-in hand tracking powered by ONNX Runtime and DirectML. This means guests can operate the entire booth without touching a screen:

Open palm — take a photo
Thumbs up — confirm a selection or print
Thumbs down or closed fist — cancel or go back
Victory/peace sign — switch to the next layout
Pointing — move the cursor and select options

Hand gesture mode is perfect for trade shows, public installations, and any event where minimizing physical contact is a priority. It also adds a “wow factor” that draws attention and increases foot traffic to your booth.

Virtual Try-On Catalog Setup

For fashion brands and retail events, the virtual try-on feature lets guests see themselves wearing items from your product catalog. To set up a catalog:

Go to Clothing Catalogs in the admin dashboard.
Create a new catalog and upload product images. Use flat-lay or mannequin photos with a clean background for best results.
Assign the catalog to your photobooth.
Guests browse the catalog on the kiosk and select items to virtually try on.

This feature is particularly powerful for e-commerce brands at pop-up shops, fashion shows, and retail store activations. For a deeper dive, see our virtual try-on events guide.

Lead Capture Forms

Turn your photo booth into a lead generation machine. Enable lead capture to collect guest information (name, email, company, custom fields) before or after the photo is taken. All leads are stored in the dashboard and can be exported as CSV for import into your CRM.

You can also add custom survey questions, quizzes, or feedback forms to gather valuable market research data while guests wait for their AI transformation.

Sub-Accounts for Teams

If you manage multiple events or have a team of operators, the Pro and Enterprise plans include sub-accounts. Each team member gets their own login with configurable permissions. You can assign specific photobooths to specific operators, making it easy to manage large events or operate multiple booths simultaneously.

Custom Templates and Branding

Upload custom image templates that overlay on the final photo. This is ideal for adding branded frames, sponsor logos, event dates, or watermarks. Templates support transparency and can be positioned precisely using the template editor in the dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a powerful computer or GPU to run the AI photo booth?

No. All AI processing happens in the cloud. The on-site computer only needs to run the kiosk application, capture photos from the camera, and display results. Any modern laptop with 8 GB of RAM and a stable internet connection is sufficient. The only exception is if you want to use hand gesture control on Windows, which benefits from a machine with DirectML support, but even that runs on most recent Intel or AMD integrated graphics.

How long does each AI transformation take?

Most transformations complete in 15 to 30 seconds. Face swap and style transfer are the fastest at around 15-20 seconds. Live edit typically takes 20-25 seconds. Virtual try-on can take up to 30 seconds because of the clothing mapping step. The kiosk displays a real-time progress animation so guests know their photo is being processed.

How many credits do I need for my event?

Plan for roughly one credit per guest interaction. Face swap, live edit, and style transfer each cost 1 credit per generation. Virtual try-on costs 3 credits per generation due to the additional processing involved. For a 200-person corporate event where you expect about 60% participation, you would need approximately 120-150 credits. Check our pricing guide for detailed plan comparisons.

Can I use the AI photo booth without an internet connection?

An internet connection is required for AI transformations, as the processing happens on cloud servers. However, the kiosk application can capture photos and queue them locally if the connection drops temporarily. Once connectivity is restored, queued photos are automatically sent for processing. For critical events, we recommend a wired Ethernet connection with a mobile hotspot as backup.

Yes. AI PhotoBooth is built with GDPR compliance as a core requirement. Guest photos are processed and stored in accordance with EU data protection regulations. You can configure automatic data retention policies to delete photos after a specified period. No guest data is used for AI model training. All data is processed within European infrastructure.

Ready to Get Started?

You now have everything you need to set up a professional AI photo booth from scratch. Whether it is a small corporate event with 50 guests or a large trade show with thousands of visitors, the process is the same: set up your hardware, configure your booth in the dashboard, design your prompts, test thoroughly, and deliver an experience your guests will remember and share.

Create your free account now and start experimenting with 3 free credits. If you have questions or want a personalized walkthrough, our team is happy to help — get in touch.

For more insights on choosing the right software, compare the leading platforms in our best AI photo booth software comparison.