Simple DIY Party PhotoBooth!

Welcome back!

Me and my future wife is close to our wedding now and we decided to save some money and make out own PhotoBooth instead of renting one. We had more or less all the equipment for the system, all we needed was an enclosure and some software.

We used this Software: https://dslrbooth.com/ It was super easy to use and you can use all from a usb webcam to a big dslr camera. It automatically saves the pictures on the computer both in the PhotoBooth layout and the raw original in high quality!

We were asked by some people on a Facebook wedding page (Bryllup - Jeg skal giftes - Bryllup.dk) to make this so we hope you will excuse us for doing it in english. ;-)

In this instructable there is not mentioned any measurement because it will most likely be different from person to person how big or small they want it. i have shown, how we made it and where you need to be careful and were the details are important.

Let's go!

Step 1: Measure Your Equipment to Ensure a Correct Size Enclosure.

As I said this is where you decide how big or how small it should be. We did it by laying out all of our electronic devices on the table and holding it how we would like to have it. Then while holding it we measured out the Inner dimensions. And we used some 25x50mm untreated wood
(For the danish: https://www.jemogfix.dk/hoevlet-forskalling-25-x-5...) and for the plates we used particleboard (https://www.jemogfix.dk/spaanplade-10-mm/4130/9358...)

We used approximately 500DKK = 67 € in materials.

Step 2: Saw Out the Pieces.

I used a Plunge Saw for the plates and a hacksaw for the round corners. All the straight profile wood, was cut out with a miter saw but you can alternatively get your plates cut out at the hardware store. and the other cuts can be made with a handsaw.

And remember your safety!

Step 3: Screw the Frame Together.

I then screwed the frame together and added some angles to the corners. i only did this to the ones where i could not drive a screw all the way through the diagonal piece and into the horizontal piece.

But again if you want to make it in another way that is up to you :-)

Step 4: Add the Angle Pieces.

One of the side is made like a door with a piece of profile wood cut in 45 deg with my plunger saw.
When the two angle cuttet pieces of wood connect it is forced inwards so it will fit as tight as possible.

I am not sure what that joint is called but feel free to let me know, if you know!

Step 5: Screw the Front Plate and the Top On.

I screwed in the front plate and made a mistake of adding the side and the back also. if I had not done this I would have saved my self from screwing through the outer wall, and leaving a mark I had to cover up later.

This day I had help from a good friend of mine and also a great member on Instructables. Check him out!
https://www.instructables.com/member/MikkelHMikkel...

Also it was 32 °C in Denmark that day so we had margaritas and made a swimming pool.. Maybe that's why we made the mistake.. Who knows?

Step 6: Measure Out the Electronic Equipment.

We laid out all the electronics where we wanted them and drew a line where we needed to cut.

Pretty straight forward. plus it's nice to see that it's coming together!

Step 7: Cut It Out!

Cut it out!

Step 8: Add Supports and Fasteners for the Electronics.

The screen is pressed into place because it's a tight fit and I then hold on the inside with a piece of wood. When the moldings is placed on the outside the screen with not be able to fall that way either.

The camera was a bit difficult but basically I made a piece of wood that is screwed to the inside frame and then another piece is screwed to that and on this piece I made a hole where I can bolt the camera in place. like a tripod would.

For the printer i measured the distance from the bottom to the output paper tray and set up a shelf or a bottom plate in that spot. when I then placed the printer inside it would have the right height and i then placed a piece of wood on the far side from the opening. when the printer stands up against that it is centered.

Step 9: Screw the Last Plates On.

Now it makes sense to screw on the last plates!

Step 10: Clean Up the Wood.

I used some wood filler and some polyfilla to cover up some screw holes and some gaps between the plates. also this type of wood is very "grainy" so we filled up the corners so it wouldn't be so visible.

Step 11: Paint It!

We rolled the box with 3 layers of white paint and then sprayed it with glossy varnish.

Step 12: Mount the Electronics.

To make sure the printer would fit snug against the front wall we made a small "incision". Be careful if you think about doing the same. You might destroy it and I dont think the warranty will cover it ;-)

After inserting the screen, we could nail on the moldings and remember to add some wood glue.
Rule of thumb! everything that is nailed needs glue.

I then cut out a hole for the power inlet and made sure to insert a fuse... took me about and hour to figure out why the damn thing wouldn't start...

and the printer and so were inserted.

Step 13: Test It!

Then we needed to test it! to make sure we had the right height and so on.

For us we learned that the height of the camera should be about 140cm if the person is 200 cm in front of the box. So we needed legs. Good idea would have been to test this befor step 1 ;-)

Step 14: OPTIONAL: Make the "Button Presser"

This part is marked "OPTIONAL" because this could be done in many ways.

We chose to do this because I have worked with Arduino for some time now and when you know your way around it, it's pretty straight forward.

Alternatively you use a presentation remote or a bluetooth mouse or similar.

Step 15: OPTIONAL: Make the Arduino System.

If you have chose to do this then all you need it here.

Parts:

Button: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-4-Pin-12mm-Led-Lig... (I used this because I had it, but I wanted to use something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Chrome-LED-lit-Arcade... or like a big buzzer.)

Arduino Nano: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-USB-Nano-V3-0-ATmega...

Servo motor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/263149335049

Aaaand some Jumpers and some solderring ting and so on and so on. But if you have chosen this path.. chances are you already have it.

And the code is just plug and play! no libraries needed.

Step 16: OPTIONAL: Test the Arduino System.

A quick test and ready for mounting!

Step 17: Add Legs of Your Choosing.

We added the legs so it came up to the right height. And we added a small tray so the picture would not fall out.

Step 18: Paint the Last Details.

We then painted the legs and the small tray, and covered up some screws that was for the legs.

Step 19: It's Done!

It's done! I hope you have enjoyed this instructable! and I hope that you will try it out for your self!

I will upload some better pictures of the final product after the wedding!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I try to answer them as quickly as possible.

See you next time!