The Photo Booth Solutions Blog

You can now accept payments right from your photo booth with QR Codes. Simply link your Stripe account to Social Booth and Photo Booth Cloud takes care of the rest.

Old Method - Cash Acceptors and Credit Card Readers in Social Booth

As previously explained here in this blog article, you already can integrate physical payment devices into Social Booth via the Triggers tab in the settings. Essentially, the software waits for a keystroke to indicate that payment has been made. The hardware will send its “paid” signal to be converted to a keystroke. You then assign that keystroke for the trigger to start the booth. This method works great and is already used by thousands of photo booths, but it does have its downsides. Mainly, it's somewhat difficult to set up and requires a lot of 3rd party hardware. Eliminating the setup time and extra equipment is the main reason for developing the QR Code payment system.

New Method - QR Code Payments with Photo Booth Cloud in Social Booth

To accept payments via QR Codes in Social Booth, you will need:

1. Social Booth - Social Booth is the software that will run your photo booth and collect payments.
2. Stripe - Stripe is a payment processor that handles credit card transactions. It's how you will get paid.
3. Photo Booth Cloud - Photo Booth Cloud is the bridge between Social Booth and Stripe. It communicates with Social Booth, so it knows when payments have been processed.

Integrating Stripe with Social Booth

Once you have signed up with Stripe, you will need 2 things: A Stripe API Key, and a Product ID. If you have multiple booths, you can have multiple products with different prices. You will only need 1 API Key.

Create a Product in Stripe

1. Click on the Products tab in the top menu and then click on the Add Product button.

2. Enter a name for your product, and set a price. Be sure to set the payment to One Time and not Recurring. Leave all other options default and save your product.

Generate a Stripe API Key

1. Click on the Developers tab in the top menu and then click on API Keys.

2. Click Create Secret Key and enter an Name for your key.

3. Copy and save the API Key. Save the key in a safe place for future use. You will need to enter this in the Social Booth Settings. 

Setting up Photo Booth Cloud

Step 1: Register for Photo Booth Cloud
The first step is to sign up for Photo Booth Cloud. Photo Booth Cloud provides cloud storage for your photo booth and allows your guests to access their photos either by visiting your website, or directly at the booth, via a QR Code. Register for Photo Booth Cloud here.

Step 2: Create an Album for your event
There are 3 different types of Albums in Photo Booth Cloud:
1. Booth to Website
2. Booth to Phone
3. Pay With QR Code.

For this example, we are going to use Pay With QR Code.

Step 3: Enable Photo Booth Cloud in Social Booth and select your Album
When you enable Photo Booth Cloud in the Social Booth admin, you will need to log in and select the album you created in the previous step.

Setp 4: Enable Pay With QR Code
Enable the Pay With QR Code option and enter the Stripe API Key. Next, select the product you created. The QR Code can be shown before the session, so payment is required to use the booth, or it can be shown when the user hits the Print button, so the user can use the booth, but has to pay in order to print.

You can edit the other fields to suit your needs:
 
Time to Wait - # of seconds to wait for payment before displaying the More Time Text?
More Time Text - Ask the user if they need more time
Top Text - Text shown above QR Code
Top Text Paid - Text shown above QR Code after payment
Bottom Text - Text shown below QR Code
Bottom Text Paid - Text shown below QR Code after payment

Get Paid

That's it! You can now accept payments via QR Codes in Social Booth. Incorporating QR code payments into your photo booth business can provide a significant boost to your operation, enhancing customer experience and streamlining your processes. With the integration of tools like Social Booth Photo Booth Software and Photo Booth Cloud with your Stripe account, accepting payments right from your photo booth has never been easier or more efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a QR Code payment system?
QR Code payment systems allow transactions to be carried out using a smartphone to scan a QR code linked to a vendor's payment account. This reduces the need for physical payment methods, creating a seamless and swift transaction experience.

How does Social Booth Photo Booth Software support QR code payments?
Social Booth Photo Booth Software integrates with QR code payment systems and Photo Booth Cloud to enable easy, cashless payments directly from the photo booth.

How much does QR Code payments with Photo Booth Cloud cost?
Photo Booth Cloud is a $9.99/month subscription. There is an extra transaction fee of 2.1% + $0.20 for each charge going through the system. For example, a $10 charge would incur $0.21 + $0.20 = $0.41 transaction fee.

How much does Stripe cost?
Stripe charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 for each charge going through the system. For example, a $10 charge would incur $0.29 + $0.30 = $0.59 transaction fee.

Is it secure to pay with QR codes?
Yes, QR code payments use Stripe as a payment gateway, which is highly secure. Stripe uses encryption and tokenization to protect transaction details, making them a safe digital payment method.

Can I link the system to my existing Stripe account?
Yes, the payment system can be linked to your existing Stripe account, making it easy to receive payments directly into your account.

What are the benefits of using QR code payments in my photo booth business?
QR code payments offer numerous benefits, including increased payment speed, improved customer experience, reduction in physical payment hardware, and better integration with digital business systems.

• In the age of digitization, QR codes have become a game-changer, offering a seamless and quick payment solution for businesses, including the photo booth industry. When a customer scans the QR code with their smartphone, they're directed to a payment gateway, eliminating the need for clunky card readers or cash acceptors. This technology doesn't just ease the transaction process, but also enhances the user experience, contributing to higher customer satisfaction.
• The beauty of using QR codes for payments is the ability to phase out third-party equipment like card readers or cash acceptors. This not only reduces the cost of hardware but also simplifies your setup, reducing potential points of failure. Now, all you need is a QR code display at your photo booth, and you're ready to accept payments – a prime example of technology simplifying business operations.
• Smartphone payments using QR codes are a boon to the customer experience. Customers no longer need to fumble for cash or worry about their card details being secure. With just their smartphone, they can make the payment swiftly and securely. The convenience and security of smartphone payments, combined with the familiarity most customers have with their devices, create a more engaging and satisfying user experience.
• Cashless payments have been on the rise in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and changing consumer behavior. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend towards cashless transactions has only accelerated, with more businesses and consumers recognizing the benefits of digital payments. QR codes, with their simplicity and ease of use, have emerged as a popular choice for cashless transactions.

Introduction

Imagine this: You walk into a photo booth, strike a pose, and snap! Within moments, the photo is on your phone. Magic? Nope, it's the power of modern technology at play. A potent mix of Photo Booth Cloud and Social Booth's QR code system working behind the scenes to make your life easier. So, you can spend less time waiting and more time sharing your favorite moments on social media.

Just Give Me My Photos

Sure, prints are great, a tactile memento of a memory etched in time. But let's face it, in today's connected age, users want digital copies of their photos on their phone to save and share to Social Media. Social Booth provides plenty of options for sharing: Email, SMS, Facebook, & Twitter. But sometimes these each have their own drawbacks. Logging in and entering data is slow and can cause lines for the booth to back up. Users may not remember their login info and may also be reluctant to enter their personal info into a public kiosk. That's why scanning a QR code from the photo booth to download photos to your phone is the perfect addition to Social Booth. This process isn't just incredibly fast and user-friendly; it's a necessary step towards modernizing your photo booths. The less time spent logging in and entering data, the more time for snapping those perfect moments.

But how exactly does this work? Let's dive in and find out.

Scan a QR Code from the Photo Booth to Download Photos on Phone: The Step-by-Step Process

It couldn't be easier to set up QR Code downloading in Social Booth.

Step 1: Register for Photo Booth Cloud
The first step is to sign up for Photo Booth Cloud. Photo Booth Cloud provides cloud storage for your photo booth and allows your guests to access their photos either by visiting your website, or directly at the booth, via a QR Code. Register for Photo Booth Cloud here.

Step 2: Create an Album for your event
There are 3 different types of Albums in Photo Booth Cloud:
1. Booth to Website
2. Booth to Phone
3. Pay With QR Code.

For this example, we are going to use Booth to Phone.

Step 3: Enable Photo Booth Cloud in Social Booth and select your Album
When you enable Photo Booth Cloud in the Social Booth admin, you will need to log in and select the album you created in the previous step.

Step 4: Enable Booth to Phone
Enable the Session QR Code and set it to link directly to the session photo. You can set the location of the QR code on the screen to be to the left, right or bottom of the displayed photo.

Shoot, Scan & Share!

That's it. You're ready to go. After the user takes their photo, a QR code will appear on the screen. They simply need to scan it, and they will immediately get their photo on their device.

Why use Booth to Phone with your Photo Booth? The Benefits

1. Quick and Easy - One of the main benefits of scanning a QR code to download photos is its simplicity. It requires minimal steps and can be done within seconds.
2. Instant Sharing - Once the photo is downloaded to your phone, you can immediately share your memories with your friends and family on social media platforms, making it more enjoyable and interactive.
3. No Physical Contact - In a post-pandemic world, touchless operations have become the norm. Scanning a QR code eliminates the need for touch screen interactions, reducing the risk of germ transmission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Photo Booth Cloud?
Photo Booth Cloud is a service that enables you to upload photos from the booth to the cloud. It's a part of the modern photo booth experience, providing users with a digital copy of their photos instantly. 

How do I sign up for Photo Booth Cloud?
You can register for a free trial of Photo Booth Cloud here.

How much does Photo Booth Cloud cost?
Photo Booth Cloud costs $9.99/month

How does Social Booth use QR codes?
Social Booth displays a QR code on the screen after you take your photos. All you have to do is scan the code, and voila! Your photo is on your phone, ready to be shared on social media.

Do I need a special app to scan the QR codes?
Most smartphones today have a built-in QR code scanner within the camera app. Just point your camera at the QR code, and it should automatically recognize it.

Can I still offer prints from the booth?
Yes, you can still offer prints as an option.

Does Photo Booth Cloud work with any other programs?
Yes, Photo Booth Cloud is also built into our Social Media Kiosk program, Photo Booth Connected.

Social Booth & Photo Booth Connected now include a FREE email service that will eliminate both the difficulty and cost of using Sendgrid. This service is built into the software, requires no setup, and is free for all users with up-to-date software.

Our built-in email service is simple to use 

As previously reported here, Sendgrid has made setting up email for your photo booth increasingly difficult. These steps are now required in order to use Sendgrid:  

• All accounts are required to enable 2-factor authentication.
• Emails sent via the Sendgrid API now require an API key.
• “From” addresses and domains must be verified. This requires modifying DNS records on your web host, which is often a complicated process.

Save money

As for cost, although Sendgrid offers a free plan that allows you to send 100 emails a day, most events will go over 100 emails, so you will need to subscribe to a paid plan for $19.99/month. Our email service is free for all users with valid licenses and who maintain current software updates on their license. Ditching Sendgrid will save you $240 per year.

Configuration

As shown here, there's nothing to configure in order to use the built-in email service. Emails will come from a generic address with your From Name and Reply To address. If you want emails to come from a specific domain, you will still need to use Sendgrid or SMTP, but most users will really benefit from this new service.

Download the latest Social Booth and Photo Booth Connected to take advantage of the new free email service.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new 360 photo booth software, Selfie360! This software allows you to create stunning 360 videos of your guests using a GoPro and iPhone mounted on a spinning arm. You can customize your videos with animated overlays, soundtracks, intro and outro videos, and speed ramps. You can also share your videos instantly via QR code, or online gallery.

What is a 360 photo booth?

A 360 photo booth is a camera booth that offers a whole new experience of taking pictures to users. The guests have to stand on an elevated platform, and a slow-motion arm will capture the video from each angle. The end result is a video—either slow motion video, boomerang, or a regular video—that looks GLAM, like it was shot by a professional Hollywood studio.

What Software do I need for a 360 spinner photo booth?

Selfie360 is the most advanced and user-friendly 360 photo booth software on the market. It allows you to customize every aspect of your 360 photo booth, from the background and props to the music and effects. Selfie360 is also compatible with any 360 photo booth hardware. 

Selfie360 is not just a software, it's an experience. By using our software, you can:

- Create amazing content that will impress your guests and attract more attention to your brand or event.
- Boost your social media presence and engagement with viral videos that showcase your personality and style.
- Enhance your event atmosphere and entertainment with music, lights, and effects that match your theme and mood.
- Capture memorable moments that will last forever and make your guests feel like stars.

Selfie360 is perfect for any occasion and any venue. You can use it for:

- Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other celebrations.
- Corporate events, trade shows, product launches, conferences, and seminars.
- Festivals, concerts, parties, clubs, and bars.
- Movie premieres, press junkets, fan experiences, and red carpet events.

Where can I download Selfie360?

Click here to download Selfie360.

Haloween is a big season for photo booths, but Halloween is going to be different this year.  If your Halloween is going virtual, you'll need a virtual photo booth. Check out our Virtual Halloween Photo Booth that comes free when you subscribe to Virtual Booth Complete.

Virtual Halloween Photo Booth