Photo Booth experience at the PACCO Gala
When it comes to formal fundraising events, a photo booth should feel intentional, branded, and seamlessly integrated into the evening. For the PACCO Gala, Alegria Photo Booth delivered a custom photo booth experience designed to match the sophistication of a business-formal fundraising event while giving guests an effortless way to capture the moment. Hosted at The Nines Hotel Portland, the setting allowed the photo booth to feel elevated and polished, creating an experience that enhanced the event rather than competing with it.
Digital Photo Booth Experience for the PACCO Gala
Branded photo booth overlay
Guests were invited to step into a custom digital photo booth featuring a 4x6 photo layout overlaid with PACCO branding, creating a consistent visual identity across every image captured throughout the evening. The branded overlay incorporated PACCO’s logo, which reinforced brand presence in a subtle yet polished way.
In addition to the branded version, guests also received a non-branded copy of their photo, both delivered instantly to their phones. This allowed attendees to easily save, share, and revisit their photos long after the event concluded. The ability to send photos directly to mobile devices added convenience for guests while extending the reach of the PACCO Gala beyond the walls of The Nines Hotel Portland through organic sharing.
From an event perspective, the branded overlay created a lasting visual connection between the gala and the memories captured throughout the night, offering PACCO continued visibility well after the evening came to a close.
Custom Photo Booth Screens
Alegria Photo Booth is the only Portland photo booth company that offers fully customized photo booth screens, allowing the entire digital interface to be designed around a specific event. This includes every screen, color palette, prompt, and on-screen interaction, all tailored to match the tone and branding of the gala rather than relying on generic templates.
For the PACCO Gala, we designed a clean, intuitive user interface featuring more than nine custom screens that guided guests through the photo booth experience. Each screen was intentionally designed to feel cohesive, easy to use, and visually aligned with the event, helping guests move through the experience smoothly without distraction or confusion. The result was a digital photo booth experience that supported both PACCO’s goals and the guest experience, while fitting naturally into the flow of the evening.
An elegant photo booth experience at The Portland Nines Hotel
The photo booth experience at the PACCO Gala was thoughtfully scheduled during cocktail hour, allowing guests to engage with the booth as they arrived and settled into the evening. Positioned in a highly visible area of the event space, the photo booth became part of the natural flow of the gala, inviting participation without pulling attention away from the rest of the program.
This strategic placement helped create steady engagement, resulting in more than 100 photos captured over the course of the evening. Attendees took advantage of the flexibility of the setup, capturing a mix of solo portraits, small group photos, and larger group shots that reflected the celebratory nature of the event.
For PACCO, the combination of thoughtful timing, visible placement, and consistent engagement created a photo booth experience that delivered both guest interaction and lasting branded memories. For attendees, it provided an effortless way to capture high-quality photos in a setting that matched the tone and sophistication of the gala.
Thoughtful photo booth experiences for Gala events
The PACCO Gala is a perfect example of how a well-executed photo booth experience can add value to a formal event when it is designed with intention. From branded overlays and custom screens to strategic placement during cocktail hour, each element of the experience was built to support both the organization hosting the event and the guests attending it.
For nonprofits and event planners, a photo booth can serve as more than entertainment. When done right, it becomes a branded touchpoint, a guest engagement tool, and a way to extend the life of an event beyond a single evening.
If you are planning a gala, fundraiser, or formal event and are looking for a photo booth experience that feels polished, branded, and aligned with your event goals, our team is always happy to help bring that vision to life.
FAQ
FAQ
What is the best time to schedule a photo booth during a gala or fundraiser? There is no single “best” time that works for every event, but timing should align with guest flow and the overall program. Cocktail hour is often a strong option because guests are arriving, mingling, and open to interacting. However, photo booths can also work well before dinner, between program segments, or later in the evening once the formal portion has concluded.
What is a photo overlay? A photo overlay is the design layer placed on top of each photo, often incorporating an organization’s logo, event name, or visual branding. For galas and fundraising events, a branded overlay helps create a cohesive look across all photos while reinforcing the organization’s identity.
Where should a photo booth be placed at a gala or formal event? Placement plays a major role in engagement. A photo booth should be visible and easy to access, but not disruptive to key areas like near the stage, or too close to the bar. High traffic areas near entrances, cocktail spaces, or transition points often work well. The goal is to integrate the photo booth into the event layout so it feels like a natural part of the experience rather than an afterthought.
How does a photo booth add value to a fundraising event? When thoughtfully designed, a photo booth offers more than entertainment. It creates a moment of engagement for guests, provides a personalized takeaway, and extends the life of the event through digital sharing. For organizations, it adds another branded touchpoint that can reinforce awareness and connection well beyond the night of the event.
What should planners look for when choosing a photo booth for a gala? Planners should look for a photo booth experience that can be customized to match the tone of the event, both visually and functionally. This includes branded overlays, a clean user interface, flexible placement options, and a setup that feels polished and appropriate for a formal setting. Experience working with galas and fundraising events is also important, as it ensures the photo booth supports the event rather than distracting from it.
What type of photo booth was used at the PACCO Gala? The PACCO Gala featured a fully digital photo booth experience with a custom-branded overlay and a tailored photo booth user interface. The setup allowed guests to capture high-quality photos while maintaining a polished look appropriate for a formal fundraising event.
