What is a glam photo booth? The Kardashian-style look, explained
A glam photo booth is a photo booth set up like a portrait studio: soft beauty lighting, a black-and-white finish with gentle skin smoothing, and a print that looks like an editorial portrait. It's the look many people call "Kardashian-style." Glam is our studio-portrait experience: soft studio lighting, a retouched editorial finish, and prints that look like a magazine sitting. See our glam photo booth.
Why is it called a Kardashian-style photo booth?
The name comes from the black-and-white, beauty-lit portraits that celebrities made popular on social media and at red-carpet parties: bright, even light on the face, deep blacks, smooth skin and a clean background. Guests started asking for "the Kardashian booth," and the name stuck as shorthand for the look. Today "glam booth," "Kardashian-style booth" and "black-and-white glam booth" all describe the same portrait style.
How does a glam photo booth work?
- The light. A large, soft beauty light sits right at the camera, so the face is evenly lit and shadows fall away.
- The camera. A professional camera captures each guest close enough to read as a portrait.
- The finish. A black-and-white treatment with gentle skin smoothing gives every frame the editorial look. Color is one setting away.
- The keepsake. An instant print designed to your event, plus the portrait on each guest's phone.
Our glam booth runs as an open setup, so couples, friends and small groups fit in one frame.
Glam vs a standard open-air booth
| Glam booth | Open-air booth | |
|---|---|---|
| The goal | A flattering portrait guests keep | Group fun and lots of photos |
| The light | Soft beauty light close to the face | Even studio light across the group |
| The finish | Retouched black-and-white or color | Full color, styled to your design |
| The backdrop | Clean, simple tones that frame the face | Any backdrop, from sequins to a printed logo wall |
| Best for | Weddings, galas, beauty and fashion events | Big receptions, company parties, brand events |
Both booths share the same studio-grade camera. Choose glam when the portrait is the point; choose open-air for big groups and a wider mix of photos.
Black and white or color?
Black and white is the signature: it flatters every skin tone, hides busy venue lighting and looks timeless in a frame years later. Color suits a vivid palette or a brand with signature colors. Many couples and brands pick black and white for the portrait and carry their color into the print layout around it.
Which events suit a glam booth?
- Weddings: a portrait for every guest, styled to the wedding. See the glam wedding photo booth.
- Galas and company celebrations: black-tie portraits with the logo on every print. See corporate photo booths.
- Beauty and fashion brands: editorial light and branded output for a feed-first audience. See beauty brand activations.
- Milestone birthdays: the most flattering photo of the night, printed on the spot. See private event photo booths.
How to get the best glam portraits
- Place it where guests look their best: early in the evening, near cocktail hour, before the dance floor.
- Keep the backdrop simple. White, black or a soft neutral lets the face carry the frame.
- Choose black and white for mixed lighting. It evens out warm venue light and every skin tone.
- Design the print around the portrait: a clean border, your names or logo, and plenty of space.
How much does a glam photo booth cost?
Glam booths typically cost $725 to $1,265, with a median of $950, the highest median of any format in the national data. Glam offers range from a black-and-white setting on a standard booth to a full studio-lit portrait experience with retouching and custom prints, and that range explains the spread.
Typical market range (middle half), as of August 2026. Source: Check Cherry 2026 pricing guide, national booking data. Market data only. Our Glam wedding package and starting price are on the glam wedding page; for any other event, use Get Pricing.
Glam photo booth questions
What is a glam photo booth?
A photo booth with soft beauty lighting and a retouched black-and-white or color finish, so every guest leaves with a polished, editorial-looking portrait and a print designed to the event.
Is a glam booth the same as a Kardashian-style booth?
Yes, they describe the same look: bright, soft light on the face, gentle skin smoothing and a timeless black-and-white finish.
How does a glam booth compare to a magic mirror booth?
A magic mirror booth is a full-length interactive mirror guests pose in front of. A glam booth is built for the portrait itself: studio beauty lighting, a professional camera and a retouched print that flatters every guest up close.
Can a glam booth print in color?
Yes. Black and white is the signature look, and full color is one setting away for events with a vivid palette or brand colors.
How many people fit in a glam photo?
Couples, friends and small groups fit in one frame, and the open setup makes room for more. For the whole table or team at once, an open-air booth fits up to about ten.
Give every guest the portrait
Send the date, the venue and the kind of event. We'll design the print around it.
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