Photo booth rentals come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets. Whether you’re planning a kasi-style birthday bash or a glitzy corporate function in Sandton, there’s a photo booth rental option that will make your guests smile without making your wallet weep.

Here we break down photo booth rental costs in SA – from DIY plans under R1,000 to high-tech premium setups that can run well over R10k – and share tips to get the most bang for your buck.

DIY Photo Booths (Under R1,000)

Want the photo booth fun without the big price tag? DIY and budget-friendly booths are the way to go. For under R1,000, you likely won’t be hiring a full-service photo booth rental company (most professional rentals start around R2,300), but you can create your own DIY photo booth experience.

All it takes is some creativity, resourcefulness, and maybe a tech-savvy friend or two.

Use What You Have

Set up a selfie station with a smartphone or tablet on a tripod. Add a ring light or a funky lampshade for lighting, and you’ve got a basic “booth” ready to snap away.

There are even free photo booth apps that can simulate the photo strip experience – no fancy hardware required.

Instant Cameras = Instant Fun

Alternatively, grab a Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax camera and a couple of film packs. Guests can take turns playing photographer. It’s delightfully old-school and costs only the price of the film.

Plus, everyone gets a physical keepsake on the spot.

DIY Props and Backdrops

Head to the local craft store or Crazy Store for cheap props – think goofy glasses, fake moustaches, and speech bubble signs.

Hang a sparkly curtain, a bed sheet, or the South African flag as a backdrop. You can even get creative and use shweshwe fabric or a rugby jersey backdrop for local flair. Your total setup cost can easily stay under a grand.

Trade-offs

Of course, a DIY booth means no on-site printer, no attendant, and no high-end camera. The photo quality might be phone-grade and you’ll rely on digital sharing instead of instant prints.

It also requires a bit of effort – you (or a willing cousin) will need to supervise it during the event. But for casual gatherings, this approach is super cost-effective.

The bottom line: A DIY booth keeps costs low and spirits high, as long as you’re okay handling a bit of the work yourself.

Mid-Range Photo Booth Rentals (R2,300 – R3,000)

Stepping up the game, mid-range photo booth rentals are the sweet spot for many weddings, birthdays, and office year-end functions.

A typical 2-hour hire will cost roughly R2,300 to R3,000, which often includes a full service setup – no DIY assembly required here.

This price range is popular because it delivers the classic photo booth rental experience at a reasonable cost.

What can you expect in a mid-range photo booth rental package? Quite a lot, actually:

Unlimited Prints & Custom Designs

Most companies offer unlimited photo sessions with instant prints in this range​.

Guests can go back for second or tenth helpings of photos, and each session prints out a strip (usually two copies). The prints can be customized with your event name, logo, or a funky border design​

So your cousin Thabo’s 21st birthday bash prints will literally have his name in lights.

Props, Backdrops, and More

Expect a table full of fun props (hats, signs, giant glasses – the works) and a standard backdrop (often a sequin curtain or solid colour).

Some vendors let you choose a backdrop to match your theme. It’s all usually included at no extra cost​, making your photos even more entertaining.

On-site Attendant

No need to persuade your nephew into manning the booth – a booth attendant (sometimes two) typically comes with the package to set up, encourage guests, and troubleshoot any tech issues​.

They’ll make sure grandpa presses the right button and that the printer has paper. This keeps everything running smoothly while you enjoy the party.

Digital Savvy Features

Many mid-range booths in SA are surprisingly high-tech. You’ll often get digital copies of all photos after the event (often on a USB or via a download link).

Some setups even support WhatsApp, email or social media sharing on the spot – great for those guests who can’t wait to upload their shenanigans to Instagram.

Features like boomerang GIFs and filters are increasingly common in this price bracket​. Your guests can take a wacky GIF in addition to the printed photo – two for one!

Example Package

Let’s say you book a booth for a wedding in Midrand from 7–9pm (2 hours). You might pay around R2,800, in return, you get:

• Unlimited prints
• Personalized photo strip design with your names and wedding date
• an attendant
• a table full of props
• and an online gallery of all images afterwards.

Not a bad deal, right?

Trade-offs

Mid-range photo booth rental packages cover most needs, but be aware of the limits. The included time is usually fixed – if you need the booth longer, you’ll pay a few hundred rand per extra hour.

Also, fancy add-ons like a green screen background or a guest book for people to paste their photos might cost extra (often ~R600-R700 each)​

Still, for R2k-R3k you’re hitting the sweet spot of value and fun. This is why so many South Africans opt for these packages for weddings and milestone birthdays – it’s a lekker balance of cost and experience.

360° Photo Booth Experiences (R4,000 – R5,000)

If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ll know about the 360° photo booth rental craze. These booths don’t actually print photos – they create a stunning slow-motion video of you and your friends posing while a camera spins around you.

It’s like something out of The Matrix, and it’s ridiculously fun (and flattering, if you nail your pose!). Hiring a 360° booth setup will typically set you back around R4,000 to R5,000 for an event package, which often covers a 2-4 hour session with all the trimmings.

Here’s what goes into that 360 booth experience:

Specialized Equipment

The cost is higher because the gear is more complex. There’s a platform you stand on and a rotating arm that swoops around with a camera or iPhone attached.

It captures a 360-degree slow-mo video clip of the participants. The setup often includes cool LED lighting on the platform and maybe a backdrop or red carpet for effect. It’s a whole mini stage

Instant Sharing

After each take, guests get a short video (usually around 15 seconds) that they can view and share. Vendors usually provide a sharing station (or an attendant with a tablet) so you can WhatsApp or email the clip to yourself right there.

Branded overlays (like your event logo or #hashtag on the video) are common, especially for corporate events​

Spectator Fun

Unlike traditional booths which are often tucked in a corner, a 360 booth is an entertainment centrepiece. It’s hilarious to watch people on the platform striking poses, hair and jackets whipping around in slow-mo glory.

That “spectator factor” adds value – it’s both an activity and a performance.

Example Package

Imagine a corporate event in Joburg wanting a viral moment. They hire a 360 booth for 3 hours at about R4,500.

The package includes an operator (or two) to help guests on and off the platform safely and run the camera, unlimited recordings, instant sharing, and maybe a custom overlay with the company logo.

By the end of the night, everyone from the CEO to the intern has had a go, and the hashtag #Company360Challenge is trending.

Trade-offs

The 360 booth is a splashy novelty and you pay for that wow-factor. It’s pricier than a standard photo booth and typically doesn’t provide physical prints (so granny might miss getting a photo for the fridge). 

If you have a very large guest list, not everyone may get a turn – something to consider.

Space is another consideration: you need a decent open area so people can safely spin without knocking over the dessert table.

It’s particularly popular at brand activations and luxe weddings where a little extra spend for a big impression makes sense. 

Premium Photo Booths & Experiences (R10,000 – R20,000)

Welcome to the top tier – the premium photo booth rental experiences. This is where things get fancy, techy, and downright jaw-dropping.

If budget isn’t a major concern or you have a corporate sponsor footing the bill, photo booth providers can deliver next-level features that justify the hefty price tag of R10k to R20k (and up, if you really go wild). Here’s what premium gets you:

High-Tech Marvels

Premium booths often incorporate the latest technology, from AI-powered effects to augmented reality.

For instance, some companies offer AI photo booths that can magically transform your backdrop or add digital props in real-time (ever wanted to appear on Table Mountain without leaving the venue?)​.

You might also encounter mirror booths – full-length mirrors with touch screens and animations – or even a setup with multiple cameras that create a 3D freeze-frame “Matrix” effect. 

All the Bells and Whistles

In this price range, it’s usually an all-inclusive package. That means unlimited prints, a bespoke photo layout design, premium props (think higher quality or themed props), luxury backdrops (flower walls, anyone?), and whatever customization you desire.

Want a photo booth wrapped in your company’s branding? Done. Custom props with your event theme? Sure. Green screen with live background replacement? Of course.

Enhanced Guest Experience

Everything about a premium booth is about immersive experience. For example, some premium packages offer a live photo mosaic wall – every photo taken gets printed as a sticker and added to a giant mosaic display during the event (forming an image like your company logo by the end).

The goal is to entertain and delight.

Trade-offs

The obvious one – cost. These premium options can gobble a large chunk of your event budget, and they’re not always strictly necessary.

You’re paying for exclusivity, innovation, and a turnkey service. If your event doesn’t need the flash of AI or a dozen extra frills, a mid-range booth might suffice at a fraction of the price.

Lastly, with so much included, make sure you actually want all those extras. It’s easy to be dazzled by features, but if your crowd won’t appreciate a photo mosaic or won’t bother with the AR filters, you might be over spending.

Cost-Saving Tips for Any Photo Booth Budget

No matter your budget, everyone enjoys a little saving. We South Africans love a good deal almost as much as a good braai! 

Here are key strategies to get maximum value when booking a photo booth rental in Mzansi.

Book Early & Compare Quotes

Popular photo booth rental companies get booked out, especially during wedding season.

By booking well in advance you not only secure your date but sometimes get early booking discounts.

Always shop around with at least 2–3 different vendors. Comparing packages helps you understand the going rate.

Don’t be shy to mention a competitor’s lower quote – a business might match it or toss in an extra service to win your booking​.

Trim the Time

As noted, rent fewer hours if you can. Figure out when your guests will actually use the booth – e.g. after dinner at a wedding once the party is going.

You might not need it from the very start or towards the very end. If you hire for 2 hours instead of 4, you could save thousands.

Many companies will let you add an hour on the fly at the event if you see it’s super popular, so you’re not stuck if you initially booked too short.

Bundle with Other Services

Some event companies offer photo booth rentals s as part of a larger package (e.g. DJ + photo booth, or photography + photo booth).

Bundling can reduce overall costs since you’re giving one vendor more business​. It also simplifies coordination.

Just make sure each part of the bundle meets your needs – you don’t want a so-so DJ just to save on the booth.

Provide Your Own Props/Album

Little things can have big markups. If a vendor charges extra for a guest book or specific props, consider getting your own.

You can buy a nice blank album from PNA and some double-sided tape for guests to stick in photos and write messages, often cheaper than the “guest book” add-on.

Same with props – you might already have items or can borrow them. Every R100 saved counts!

Local Vendor = Lower Travel Fees

South Africa is a big place – if your event is in Durban, hiring a Durban-based booth company avoids the travel and accommodation fees a Joburg company might charge (yes, some will charge you for out-of-town travel).

Always ask about any transport costs. Most vendors include travel within a certain radius and then charge per km beyond that. Choosing a nearer service can cut those extra costs completely.

Ask Questions

Once you have a preferred vendor, politely ask if they have any current specials we’re known to be friendly people.

Perhaps you’re a non-profit event – some might give a discount for that. Also, clarify what’s included:

• Does the time quoted include setup/takedown? (Often, they set up before your paid time starts​ – which is good.)
• How many prints per session?
• Any added mileage fees?

Getting all details can prevent costly surprises later and help you compare true value.

In the end, a photo booth is all about capturing joyful moments. Whether you rig up a DIY backdrop or invest in a top-of-the-line photo booth rental with AI gizmos, your guests will love the opportunity to let loose in front of the camera.

The laughter and memories are what count – and those come free of charge. So plan smart, spend wisely, and say “cheese!” – your event is about to get a whole lot more fun.