How do you start a photo booth rental business in 2027?

Honest 5/10 take. The model: rent photo/video booths to weddings, corporate events, parties. Startup costs: low. DSLR/iPad-based open-air booth $2K-$6K (camera, ring light, backdrop, stand, software like Snappic/Salsa/Curator), enclosed booth $4K-$12K, 360 video booth $3K-$8K. Add printer ($600-$1.5K), props, hard cases, transport. All-in $5K-$15K to start with one solid setup. Licenses/zoning: business license, sales tax permit, general liability insurance ($300-$800/year). Some venues require COI naming them as additional insured. Pretty light regulatory load. Customer acquisition: The Knot, WeddingWire, Zola for weddings (bulk of revenue); planner and venue referrals; Instagram with branded GIFs is strong. Corporate via LinkedIn and event agencies for repeat. Revenue model: $500-$1500 per event, 3-5 hours. Add-ons (custom prints, scrapbook, GIF/boomerang, social sharing kiosk) push average ticket. Net margin 50-70% after travel, attendant pay, prints, software. Year 1: solo operator can run 1-3 events per weekend. Net $15K-$50K year 1. Scale = adding booths and trained attendants. Commodity risk: easy to enter, so differentiate on brand or 360.