The Rise of the Bellows Photo Booth: Vintage Meets Modern Event Entertainment

If you’ve spent any time scrolling through modern wedding inspiration or luxury event styling lately, you may have noticed something rather beautiful making a comeback, the bellows photo booth.

Gone are the days when photo booths meant bulky black curtains tucked away in a corner of the room. Today’s events are all about experiences, aesthetics, and creating moments guests genuinely want to be part of. And that’s exactly where the bellows photo booth shines.

Inspired by the iconic folding cameras of the early twentieth century, this style of booth blends timeless craftsmanship with cutting-edge photography technology. The result? A photo experience that feels as much like décor as it does entertainment.

Our beautiful Bellows Photo Booth seen here at High Cliff Castle in Dorset

A Nod to Photography’s Golden Age

To understand why bellows photo booths are becoming so popular, it helps to look back at where the design originated.

Bellows cameras were widely used during the 1920s and 1930s, an era when photography was evolving rapidly. These folding cameras featured an expandable leather or fabric “bellows” section connecting the lens to the camera body. At the time, they were revolutionary, portable, precise, and far easier to transport than earlier photographic equipment.

Fast forward nearly a century, and that unmistakable accordion-style design has become an icon of vintage photography. Modern event suppliers have reimagined this classic look, transforming it into a stunning open-air photo booth packed with digital technology while retaining all the charm of the original cameras.

The beauty of a bellows booth is that it instantly tells a story. Guests recognise the nostalgic design, even if they’ve never used a traditional camera before.

More Than Just a Photo Booth. This is the Bellows Photo Booth

One of the biggest reasons couples and event planners are choosing bellows photo booths is simple: they look incredible.

Unlike traditional enclosed booths, a bellows booth becomes part of the event styling itself. Crafted from solid wood with brass detailing and vintage-inspired finishes, many designs resemble a museum-quality camera installation rather than entertainment equipment. Hand-finished wood, gold-toned lens frames, and elegant lighting stands help the booth blend seamlessly into venues such as manor houses, barns, country estates, and luxury marquees.

At weddings especially, aesthetics matter. Every supplier, from florists to cake designers, contributes to the overall atmosphere. A bellows booth complements rustic, classic, and vintage wedding themes effortlessly, making it feel intentional rather than added at the last minute.

It’s entertainment that enhances the room instead of competing with it.

Vintage Outside, Modern Technology Inside

Of course, while the outside may look like it belongs in the 1930s, the technology inside is firmly rooted in the present day.

Modern bellows photo booths typically feature professional DSLR cameras, studio-quality lighting, and event-grade printers capable of producing sharp, vibrant images within seconds. Guests interact through touchscreen systems with animations and simple prompts, making the experience intuitive for all ages.

The magic lies in this contrast, classic design paired with instant results.

Guests can usually:

Capture high-quality photos, GIFs, or boomerangs

Receive instant printed keep sakes

Share images digitally via SMS or email

Download full galleries after the event

Add personalised templates, logos, or monograms

This combination means the booth appeals equally to grandparents who love printed photos and younger guests eager to post their pictures online before dessert is served.

Why Guests Absolutely Love Them

Every successful event has moments where guests naturally gather, laugh, and interact. Bellows photo booths create exactly that environment.

Because they are typically open-air rather than enclosed, groups can gather easily. Friends jump into photos together, wedding parties squeeze in for spontaneous poses, and colleagues loosen up during corporate celebrations.

It becomes less about taking a single photo and more about creating a shared experience.

You’ll often notice a queue forming, not because guests are waiting impatiently, but because they’re watching others having fun and want to join in. The booth turns into a social hub for the evening.

And unlike dance floors, which some guests may avoid, photo booths invite participation from almost everyone.

Perfect for Weddings, Corporate Events and Parties

Another reason the bellows booth trend continues to grow is its versatility.

At weddings, it provides relaxed evening entertainment once formalities are finished. Guests who may not know each other suddenly bond over silly props and group photos, while couples receive a collection of candid memories they might otherwise miss.

For corporate events, the booth offers branding opportunities without feeling overly promotional. Custom print layouts or digital overlays allow companies to include logos subtly while still delivering a fun guest experience.

Birthday celebrations, product launches, awards nights, and gala dinners also benefit from the visual impact of a vintage-inspired setup. The booth naturally attracts attention and encourages interaction, something every event organiser hopes to achieve.

The Guestbook Everyone Actually Reads

One underrated feature often included with bellows photo booth hire is the guestbook experience.

Instead of traditional written messages alone, guests attach their photo prints alongside handwritten notes throughout the evening. By the end of the night, hosts receive a scrapbook filled with laughter, jokes, and genuine moments captured in real time.

It’s personal, emotional, and often hilarious.

Many couples say this becomes one of their favourite keepsakes from the entire wedding day, far more engaging than a standard guestbook signed quickly during drinks reception.

Capture timeless Black & White images with the Bellows Photo Booth

A Statement Piece for Modern Events

Event trends have shifted dramatically in recent years. Couples and planners are moving away from generic entertainment and toward experiences that feel unique and memorable.

The bellows photo booth fits perfectly into this movement.

It’s interactive without being overwhelming. Stylish without being flashy. Nostalgic while still feeling modern.

Most importantly, it creates lasting memories in a way guests genuinely enjoy.

In an age where nearly everyone carries a smartphone camera, you might wonder why photo booths remain so popular. The answer is simple: people love shared experiences. A dedicated booth encourages guests to step into the moment together rather than snapping isolated selfies.

Why the Bellows Booth Trend Is Here to Stay

What started as a niche vintage concept has quickly become one of the most sought-after photo booth styles across weddings and luxury events.

Its success comes down to three simple factors:

It looks stunning in photographs of the event itself.It delivers professional-quality images guests keep.It creates natural interaction and laughter throughout the evening.

As events continue to focus on atmosphere and guest experience, entertainment pieces that double as visual features will only grow in popularity.

And few options achieve that balance quite like a beautifully crafted bellows photo booth.

The Final Snapshot

If you’re planning an event and want something that feels different from the standard setup, the bellows photo booth offers the perfect blend of heritage and innovation.

It celebrates the history of photography while embracing everything modern events demand, instant sharing, stylish design, and unforgettable fun.

Sometimes the best ideas really do come full circle.

From the folding cameras of the 1920s to today’s luxury celebrations, the bellows camera has evolved into more than just a piece of equipment. It’s become an experience, one that guests remember long after the party ends.