Photo booths are a staple at parties, weddings, corporate events, and trade shows—but not all photo booths get used. The difference between a forgettable setup and one guests line up for usually comes down to interaction and personalization.

That’s where custom standups come in.

Custom standups turn ordinary photo booths into experiences. They give guests something to laugh with, pose around, and share online. Below are 7 proven photo booth ideas using custom standups that actually get guests participating.

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1. Oversized Head Cutout Wall

Create a backdrop filled with oversized head cutouts featuring the guest of honor, the bride and groom, or even company executives and team members. Guests love mixing and matching poses next to giant faces, which makes this setup especially effective for birthdays, graduations, and office parties.

This idea pairs perfectly with custom big heads and huge head cutouts, which are easy to install and immediately recognizable in photos.

Best material: Our cardstock Big Heads work well for casual parties, while our foam-core Huge Heads are ideal for polished or professional events.

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2. Life-Size “Stand Next To Me” Cutouts

Life-size standups invite guests to pose with someone rather than simply standing in front of a backdrop. This could be the couple at a wedding, a brand spokesperson at a trade show, or even a celebrity look-alike or mascot. The result is a more personal, interactive photo experience.

For this setup, our life-size custom standups are the most popular choice because they create a realistic, shareable moment.

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3. Themed Scene Cutouts

Instead of relying on a flat background, themed scene cutouts use multiple custom standups to create an immersive environment. Popular themes include tropical vacations, red carpet award shows, or sports stadium scenes. Guests step into the scene rather than posing in front of it, which dramatically increases engagement.

This concept works best with our custom standups that include background elements or branded graphics.

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4. Speech Bubble & Phrase Cutouts

Speech bubble and phrase cutouts add personality and humor to any photo booth. These can feature inside jokes, popular catchphrases, or event-specific hashtags. They pair especially well with head cutouts and give guests something interactive to point to or hold during photos.

These elements are commonly ordered alongside our custom head cutouts to complete the photo booth setup. Just select the size of cutout you’d like, and send us a speech bubble image instead of a picture of a head.

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5. Before-and-After Photo Booth

A before-and-after photo booth uses two standups side by side to tell a visual story. This might show a "then versus now" birthday comparison, casual versus formal outfits, or an office weekday look compared to party mode. Guests are encouraged to take multiple photos as they experiment with different poses.

Try this with our custom standups printed in matching sizes for consistency.

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6. Group Photo Anchor Standups

Large custom standups can act as natural anchors for group photos. Instead of guests awkwardly arranging themselves, people instinctively gather around a central life-size standup, branded event logo, or honoree cutout. This is especially effective at weddings and large receptions where group photos happen organically throughout the event.

Order a life-size standup for your next event!

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7. Roaming Photo Booth Props

Not all photo booth props need to stay in one place. Smaller head cutouts can move throughout the event, popping up on the dance floor, during cocktail hour, or in outdoor group photos. These roaming props often result in the most candid and shareable images of the night.

This approach works best with our lightweight custom Big Head cutouts that guests can easily carry.

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Choosing the Right Standup Material for Photo Booths

Cardstock Big Head cutouts are:

• Lightweight
• Easy to move
• Ideal for energetic, short-term events

Foam-core Huge Heads and standups are:

• More rigid and durable
• Better for upscale events
• Ideal for repeated photo use

Tips to Maximize Photo Booth Engagement

• Place the booth in a high-traffic area
• Use clear signage inviting guests to participate
• Include at least one humorous element
• Make sure lighting is bright and even
• Encourage sharing with a hashtag

Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Booth Standups

What size standups work best for photo booths?

Life-size standups and oversized head cutouts work best because they’re easy to see in photos and create strong visual impact.

Are custom standups better than traditional photo booth props?

Yes. Custom standups are larger, more durable, and more personalized, which makes guests more likely to interact with them.

Can custom standups be reused for multiple events?

Absolutely. Foam-core standups, in particular, hold up well for repeated use at multiple events or locations.

Do photo booth standups come with stands?

Our custom standups include an attachable easel or support, allowing them to stand upright without additional equipment.

How long does it take to produce custom standups?

Our custom standups are produced within 1–2 business days plus shipping time, depending on your location and delivery method.

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Turn Your Photo Booth Into the Most Popular Spot at the Event

A great photo booth doesn’t need complicated technology—it needs something people actually want to interact with. Custom standups create that pull.

Create your custom standups at BuildaHead.com and build a photo booth your guests won’t ignore.