A Look Inside Hacienda CDC Gala at the Hyatt Regency Portland

Behind the booth
Written By Taiz Gomez
 

A Dia de Muertos Celebration at the heart of Portland

Photo booth photo design for portland gala.

Hacienda CDC’s La Gala at the Hyatt Regency Portland brought together partners, donors, and community leaders (Not every day you get to share a room with Dolores Huerta) for an evening centered on culture and impact. The event carried a Dia de Muertos theme, filling the second floor of the Hyatt with flores de cempasúchil and meaningful visual details. This direction shaped the energy of the night and guided how we approached our role as the photo booth partner for the after-party. With such a meaningful theme, we knew our photo booth setup needed to feel aligned with the tone of the night, both visually and in how guests would interact with it. This blog walks through how the event unfolded and how we supported the gala experience.

 

Meet Alegría Photo Booth

Photo booth photo of vendor in Portland

We’re a mother and daughter team based in Portland, creating photo booth experiences designed to match each event perfectly. Alegría means happiness in Spanish, and that’s exactly what we bring to every celebration. From corporate galas and nonprofit fundraisers to weddings and private parties, we work closely with event planners and hosts to ensure every detail reflects your vision, your brand, and your guests’ experience.

Our goal is simple. We design photo booths that engage your guests, complement your event’s atmosphere, and create memories that last long after the celebration ends.

 


Photo Booth Setup for a Portland Nonprofit Gala

The after-party was set up just outside the main reception. This placement allowed us to arrive as the program began and complete the full photo booth setup without interrupting the gala program.

For most events, we arrive one and a half to two hours before the photo booth start time. This timeline is important when the booth is placed inside the reception and needs to be fully ready before guests arrive. In those situations, we offer idle hours. Idle hours are extra time added to your booking that lets us set up early and keep the photo booth closed until the moment you want it to open. It keeps your timeline clean and makes sure the booth never interferes with guest arrival or the flow of the evening.

 

Designing a Brand-Forward Photo Booth Experience

Alegria Photo Booth is the only Portland photo booth company that can design the entire photo booth interface to match your event theme. That means every screen, color, prompt, and layout is shaped specifically for the event. Since La Gala centered on Dia de Muertos, we approached the design with both cultural understanding and a clean modern style.

Coming from a Mexican family, we understand the meaning behind the holiday and the symbols used to honor it. We studied the event brand guidelines and reviewed the visuals created for the event promotions. The goal was to make the photo booth feel like a natural extension of the gala while keeping the interface bright, readable, and easy for guests to move through.

We built several variations before choosing a design that felt balanced. The screens supported fast traffic, matched the visual tone of the event, and carried a clear look that guided guests through each step without confusion.

 

How Guests Used the Photo Booth at the After Party

Once the after-party opened, the photo booth became a steady stop for guests as they made their way out of the reception. The open-air layout allowed people to gather in groups, pull in coworkers, and capture the last moments of the night together. The flow stayed smooth even as the hallway filled with movement. People used the photo booth as a fun pause between conversations and goodbyes, and many returned with new groups for more photos. The setup fit the space well and gave guests an easy way to end the night on a high note.

 

Why Open-air Photo Booths work for Portland Nonprofit Events

Nonprofit galas move fast, and the flow of the night is important. Our open-air photo booth is built to handle steady lines and large groups, making it a natural fit for hotel events in Portland. We work closely with local planners to make sure the photo booth supports the program instead of competing with it. For hosts who want easy group photos and steady guest interaction, an open-air photo booth setup gives people room to gather and move comfortably. The photo booth stays visible, the flow stays smooth, and guests keep coming back for more.

 

Planning a Gala or wedding in Portland?

What worked at La Gala is what we bring to every event we take on: strong design, clear communication, and a setup that supports your timeline. If you are hosting a gala or special event in Portland and want a photo booth that delivers clean images and a smooth guest flow, we would be glad to partner with you.

 
I'm ready to inquire
 

Amazing vendor team:

Taiz Gomez
Next

Outdoor Horning's Hideout wedding