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Candy's Photo Booth Recommendations: Post-PBX 2025 Reviews ✨

Candy's Photo Booth Recommendations: Post-PBX 2025 Reviews ✨

Hey there, NowCandid fam!

Candy here, and I’m excited to bring you my top picks for iPad-only photo booths in 2025 — fresh from the Photo Booth Expo show floor. As you know, NowCandid’s Photo Booth Mode works seamlessly with Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras. But if you’re looking to simplify your setup, these iPad-only booths are our top recommendations!

Why do we prefer iPad-only?

It’s all about scalability, convenience, and cost savings. While Windows is very customizable compared to Apple, that also opens up your software to various complications & interference from settings & applications across a Windows device. The streamlined software of Apple devices can help reduce those odd issues that pop up occasionally from event to event.

Below, you’ll find three stands we checked out this year, each with a Pros & Cons list and our more detailed “Our Take.” Let’s get to it! 🚀

1. The “Bargain Booth” by Marvel Tech

Price: $549 (or $649 with rolling case)


Link: Bargain Booth on Amazon

• Manufactured by Marvel Tech

• Can be purchased directly on Amazon

• Includes frames for multiple iPad sizes (10.2'' 10.9'' 11'' 12.9'')

• Optional rolling case for an extra $100

Pros:
  • Affordable — Perfect for those on a tighter budget
  • Sturdy, good build quality despite the lower price point
  • Attractive design with body lights + ring light
  • Two remotes to control both the body lights & the ring light
  • Ring light can change color tone (white, blue, yellow) + brightness

Cons:
  • Too tall — even with tilt, shorter guests often appear low in the frame
  • Not super portable — 10 screws for full assembly/disassembly, not counting iPad mounting
  • Can’t keep iPad fully charged on max brightness; battery drain is slower but still present
  • Spinning 360° head can get tilted off-center by guests too easily, unless tightened
  • Carrying case is sub-par (handles sometimes broke off in our tests, no dedicated compartments for each piece)

Our Take

We call this booth the “Bargain Booth” for a reason. At just $549, it offers a really good bang for your buck, especially if you’re not overly concerned about having no-tools assembly or a perfect height. If you’re okay with its tall frame, you could mitigate set-up hassles by keeping it partially assembled and just transporting it in a larger vehicle.

However, the height might be an issue if your events often include younger kids or smaller adults — you’ll either have to tilt it downward a lot (which can distort the perspective) or place the booth next to a short platform for subjects to stand on, to raise them up a bit relative to the photo booth. Another minor inconvenience is that it won’t keep a 12.9-inch iPad Pro fully charged if you’re running maximum screen brightness (which you often do in well-lit or outdoor events). As a workaround, start the event with a fully charged iPad to ensure it lasts 10+ hours.

All in all, if budget is your top priority and you can accept the relatively tall design and some quirky portability issues, the Bargain Booth is a solid choice. We’ve used one ourselves throughout our trade show tour — it survived being shipped around on pallets across the country! That’s a good sign it’s built to last.

Image pulled from this booth's Amazon Store page, linked above

2. The Salsa 2 by Photo Booth Supply Co.

Price: $2,999 (standard package)


Link: Salsa 2 Pricing

Pros:
  • Ultra-portable — No tools, quick assembly
  • Very professional, modern design (and easy to add vinyl wraps)
  • Roamer mode — Detach the base plate for a handheld kiosk
  • Easy "guided access" — Slot to let you press the iPad power button with a paperclip
  • Cooling fans — Great for outdoor or long-lasting events
  • 1-year warranty
  • Comes with a compact rolling case that’s sturdy and well-organized
  • Can keep an iPad fully charged with no battery drain issues

Cons:
  • Expensive — $3,000 when not on sale
  • Limited light control — Currently supports only an all-white ring lamp mode when used with NowCandid's Capture & Upload App
  • No body lights (though custom vinyl wraps can spice it up)
  • 11" iPad faceplate is an add-on ($49 extra)

Our Take

The Salsa 2 was one of the prettiest booths at Photo Booth Expo 2025. Yes, it’s significantly pricier than the Bargain Booth, but that extra cost gets you:

  • • Premium build & design: It looks sleek, modern, and instantly elevates any event space.
  • • Tool-free assembly: You can set it up in minutes, which is fantastic if you’re juggling multiple events or tight on time.
  • • Real portability: The included rolling case feels like well-designed luggage. It’s compact, highly protective, and easy to maneuver.
  • • No battery issues: Unlike cheaper stands, the Salsa 2’s internal wiring keeps your iPad at 100% charge, even at full brightness.
  • • Convenience features: Accessing the iPad’s power button through a tiny opening is genius — it makes entering Apple’s Guided Access mode a breeze.
  • • Cooling fans: If you’ve ever had an iPad overheat while guests queue up, you’ll understand just how valuable built-in cooling can be.

As for the lighting, we loved that the ring light is bright and consistent. However, it would be nice if it could sync or tie in with other software to do color changes, currently it is only available in a plain white “lamp mode” when used with NowCandid. That said, the ring light is extremely usable out of the box, and most guests will probably never be upset it’s just white.

Overall, the Salsa 2 is a fantastic investment if you want a booth that radiates professionalism, sets up easily, and doesn’t skimp on features like cooling or proper cable management. If you’re aiming to scale up your photo booth business and command a higher rate for a premium booth, Salsa 2 is definitely our top pick.

Image pulled from the Salsa 2's "Explore" page, linked above

3. The Helio Sport by ATA Photo Booths

Price: $1,449 (no case), $1,949 (with rolling case)


Link: Helio Sport iPad Booth

• Mid-range option from ATA Photo Booths

• Available in white or black

• Assembly is simpler than the Bargain Booth, but not as effortless as the Salsa 2

• Does not support the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (and requires you to pick a specific iPad size at purchase)

Pros:
  • Reasonably priced for a mid-tier booth
  • Solid build quality and sleek, minimal design
  • No glaring flaws — a stable option that “just works”
  • Vinyl wrapping is easy if you want to customize the look

Cons:
  • Not very feature-rich — Lacks some extras like body lights
  • Height not adjustable — Tilt-only design (however, it's a good height to begin with!)
  • Comes with 1 iPad frame — You must choose the iPad size when ordering; and no 12.9" support
  • Assembly takes more time than the Salsa 2 (though not as much as the Bargain Booth)

Our Take

If you’re seeking a middle ground between the cheapest and priciest booths, the Helio Sport can fit the bill. It doesn’t stand out with flashy body lights or a detachable "roaming booth" head, but it also doesn’t suffer from major flaws. Setup is fairly quick (somewhere between the Bargain Booth’s many screws and the Salsa 2’s tool-free approach). The price tag, around $1,449, places it well under the Salsa 2, but it’s still nearly three times more than the Bargain Booth.

For us, the biggest drawback is that it doesn’t support the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. That’s our favorite iPad size for photo booths, especially if you’re looking to have a large, vibrant display. So if you’re committed to using a bigger iPad, the Helio Sport might not be your best pick.

That said, if you already own a compatible iPad or you prefer something smaller (and you’re on a moderate budget), the Helio Sport remains a solid contender. It has a professional look, decent portability (especially if you spring for the rolling case), and a straightforward operation. It might lack the “wow” factor of the Salsa 2, but if you’re simply looking for a reliable iPad booth with minimal fuss, Helio Sport is a fine choice.

Image pulled from the Helio Sport's store page, linked above

Final Thoughts

In the world of iPad-only photo booths:

1. Bargain Booth (Marvel Tech)Best Value

Great price, tall frame, some minor inconveniences (charging, height, and assembly). Very durable and surprisingly good build quality for the cost.

2. Salsa 2 (Photo Booth Supply Co.)Best Overall

Premium design, tool-free assembly, built-in cooling, and straightforward iPad integration. More expensive but loaded with user-friendly features.

3. Helio Sport (ATA Photo Booths)Honorable Mention

Middle-of-the-road price and features, but lacks support for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. A decent option if you’re okay with a smaller iPad.

And no matter which booth you choose, remember to:

  • • Use a cellular-enabled iPad Pro for maximum flexibility.
  • • Get a high-quality screen protector for your device.
  • • Enable Guided Access (when able) to keep guests from exiting the Capture & Upload app and poking around in your iPad.

One Last Photo Booth Pro-Tip:

None of our recommendations today have glass screens to cover your iPad, as that tends to make tapping the screen inconsistent. Instead, head to Best Buy or a similar store and buy a protective screen for your iPad. They’ll even apply it for you bubble-free! Many screens have warranties as well, so you can replace them at no extra cost if they crack. This approach keeps your iPad screen protected from scratches while remaining responsive to your guests’ taps, making the experience better for everyone.

And if you have any questions about NowCandid’s Photo Booth Mode, or just want more tips on creating the ultimate interactive photo experience, drop us a line on our Calendly! We’re always here to help.

Happy photo-boothing, everyone! 📸✨

—Candy from the NowCandid Team

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Candy’s Weekly Recap: Collage Printing, Digital Collages & More! ✨

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Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, and welcome to this week’s Weekly Recap.

We’ve got some fantastic updates in the latest version of the NowCandid™ iOS Capture App and more—so grab your coffee and let’s dive in!

Also, click here to check out GalleryGuard™, our newest image protection technology.

1. iOS Capture App Version 4.17 Updates 🍏

Collage Printing


We’re excited to announce a new way to showcase your photos—collage printing is now live!

  • • AirPrint Integration:
    Connect Photo Booth Mode to AirPrint printers to print 4x6 collages directly.
  • • Real-Time Customization:
    Subjects can view the collage as they customize each individual image.
  • • Flexible Copy Options:
    Print anywhere from 0 to 4 copies at the end of each session.
  • • Custom Collage Art:
    Photographers can upload their own Photo Booth Collage Art from the Event Management page (look for the button near LiveLoop™).

Smaller Capture App Tweaks

  • • Auto-Delete on Reshoot:
    Unused Photo Booth Mode images are automatically deleted when you hit “Reshoot.”
  • • Enhanced Print Option:
    A new print option now appears in the capture app's image gallery as well!
  • • UI Refinements:
    • ◦ The screen no longer dims when starting or closing the session.
    • ◦ Camera and orientation settings are now combined on the Photo Booth Mode landing page for easier use.

2. Digital Collages 💻

Digital Collages bring more creative flexibility, even without a physical printer!

  • • Integrated Delivery:
    In QuicPics™, digital collages are delivered just like all other images.
  • • Product Options:
    Available only as downloads and 4x6 prints on the retail site.
  • • Simplified Design:
    Crop and overlay art options are disabled to avoid customer mistakes.
  • • LiveLoop™ Compatibility:
    Digital Collages integrate seamlessly with LiveLoop™, showing no overlay art, since they already have art!

Vertical Image Orienttion Collage Example

3. Miscellaneous Improvements 🔧

A few extra tweaks to make your experience even better:

  • • Enhanced NSFW Filters:
    Our AI background generator on the retail site now features smarter, stronger NSFW filters.
  • • Stricter (Youth) Face Matching:
    Face Matching™ for younger subjects when using the "Strict (Youth)" option is now more precise.
  • • Spreadsheet Upgrade:
    The participant download spreadsheet now includes a column for each participant's personal gallery image count.

That’s this week’s roundup of updates, folks!

We hope these enhancements—from collage printing to digital collages and improved reporting—make your NowCandid™ workflow smoother and more fun.

As always, we’d love to hear your feedback!

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Big News: Introducing GalleryGuard™ – The Ultimate Image Protection! 🔒✨
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Big News: Introducing GalleryGuard™ – The Ultimate Image Protection! 🔒✨

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Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, and I'm thrilled to share some BIG news that’ll give you peace of mind when it comes to protecting your digital art.

For as long as ViewFirst™ photo systems have existed, safeguarding your images has been a constant challenge.

While offering a digital preview is a fantastic business model, there's always that worry about unauthorized screenshots and image theft.

The Image Protection Challenge 🛡️

  • • The Dilemma:
    Digital images are easy to view and share, but that also makes them vulnerable to being stolen—whether through clever workarounds or even just customers posting watermark-covered screenshots on socials.
  • • Industry Solutions:
    Some platforms hide faces behind logos or use messy, multi-colored watermarks to confuse AI, but these methods can compromise the aesthetic and customer experience.
  • • NowCandid™ Approach:
    Until now, we've relied on Scrolling Copyrighting—a good balance between visual appeal, customer satisfaction, and protection. However, with AI watermark removal making headlines, we wanted to step up our game.

Introducing GalleryGuard™ 👨‍🍳

Our digital chefs have been busy in the NowCandid™ kitchen, and their latest creation is nothing short of a Michelin Star-worthy innovation:

  • • iOS Protection:
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  • • Desktop Defense:
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  • • Seamless Integration:
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Sample gallery on Chrome on an iPhone 16 Plus

Sample gallery on Chrome on a Windows PC

What Does This Mean for You? 🎉

  • • Less Image Theft:
    Your valuable digital art stays secure from unauthorized screenshots and AI watermark removal.
  • • More Peace of Mind:
    Enjoy the confidence that your creative work is protected by industry-leading technology.
  • • Quick Note:
    While GalleryGuard™ currently supports only iOS & desktop experiences, we may expand its capabilities in the future!

That’s the scoop on GalleryGuard™—a breakthrough step in defending your digital art.

Thanks for being an essential part of the NowCandid™ community.!

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, drop us a line.

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Candy’s Weekly Recap: Faster Check-Ins, Text Upgrades & More! ✨
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Candy’s Weekly Recap: Faster Check-Ins, Text Upgrades & More! ✨

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Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, ready to sprinkle some sparkle on your day with our latest Weekly Recap.

We’ve been busy refining your NowCandid™ experience, and this week’s update is a solid mix of practical tweaks and new features—all designed to make your events run even smoother. Let’s dive in!

1. Check-In Info Saves to Account 📝

We know every second counts during an event. Now, when subjects perform a Selfie Check-In™ while logged into quic.pics, their check-in info is automatically saved to their account for future events.

Streamlined Check-In:

  • • Reuse saved check-in details for faster access at subsequent events.
  • • Speeds up the process and reduces repetitive data entry.
  • • Works for both Selfie Check-In™ as well as Positive ID™ Check-In.

Expedited Selfie Check-In for your regular subjects, woo!

2. QuicPics™ Text Character Increase 📲

Our marketing messages just got a boost! You now have more characters available when customizing the “Your images are arriving soon” text for QuicPics™ events.

More Room to Create:

  • • Tailor your messaging with extra characters for a more personalized touch.
  • • Future tweaks may come, but for now, enjoy the expanded flexibility!

Previously capped at 100 characters, you'll have a bit more wiggle room going forward!

3. QuicPortraits™ Pricing Now at 10¢ per Image 💰

Good news for portrait photographers who get paid upfront! We’ve adjusted the QuicPortraits™ pricing down to 10¢ per image from 12¢. This change is designed to help you offer headshots and individual portraits at a lower rate.

Cost-Saving for Portraits:

  • • QuicPortraits is aimed specifically at headshots and portraits where only one person receives the images.
  • • Expect further tweaks to QuicPortraits in the future, but the cost-saving is here to stay!

QuicPortraits is now 10 cents, down from 12!

4. GroupTags™ Enhancements 🏷️

We’ve made it easier than ever to manage group photos and individual shots with GroupTags™.

Import GroupTags:

  • • Upload a spreadsheet to auto-create as many GroupTags™ as you need—perfect for events with many teams or groups.

GroupTagging Individuals:

  • • Now you can assign GroupTags™ even to Individual Photos, not just Group Photos.
  • • This change gives you more flexibility when organizing the Groups of images your customers can filter by on the retail site. Possibly helpful for some action photographers!

GroupTags™ are now no longer limited to only Group Photos!

5. Miscellaneous Updates 🔧

A few extra tweaks to enhance overall performance and clarity:

Shortened Marketing Links:

  • • All links in marketing texts are now shortened without compromising URL security.

Informative Color Profile Errors:

  • • When an image is uploaded with the wrong color profile, the error now specifies which color profile the image has, instead of just saying “wrong color profile.”

That’s this week’s recap, folks!

These updates are all about making your workflow more efficient—from saving check-in info and giving you more flexible text options to reducing costs on QuicPortraits™ and enhancing GroupTags™.

We’re continuously improving our system to help you manage your events seamlessly and boost your sales.

As always, we love hearing your feedback—let us know what you think!

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Let’s get in touch

If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid services to your wheelhouse – set up a call by clicking the button below.

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