As we complete another trip around the sun, it’s a great time to reflect on the photo booth industry as a whole, the journey of our business, and our amazing customers that make it all possible.
So much has changed since we first released the Simple Booth Event Edition app in 2013. Here we are eleven years later, but in many ways 2024 was just as exciting and transformative as the year we started.
The photo booth industry is growing
We are seeing the photo booth industry develop more and more. Not only are group pictures, selfies, and video clips as popular as ever, but the types of photo experiences offered at events continue to broaden and diversify.
The biggest trends we saw in 2024:
- 360 photo booths didn’t lose any momentum
- AI photo booths started popping up everywhere
- More locations embraced permanent photo booths
This is great news for entrepreneurs looking to start a photo booth business, as well as venues seeking a permanent photo experience for daily visitors and special events. With more opportunities to differentiate from competitors, businesses can offer unique services at profitable price points that appeal to a wide range of customers.
Considering that virtual photo booths were a brand new concept in just 2020, the continued expansion of the industry in all directions is quite remarkable.
Simple Booth continues to evolve
This year we released over 25 updates to the HALO app, including some big new features.
We kicked off this year with the launch of the new API integration for captured leads. This game-changing feature makes it easier than ever for businesses to grow their marketing lists and stay connected with photo booth participants.
In February, we rolled out multiple overlays, a highly requested feature that lets participants choose from a selection of designs to go over their photo. This opens the door to endless creative possibilities for both event hosts and participants.
The fun kept rolling through the summer. Our team took a moment to embrace the glam life, adding features like a glam filter for that flawless finish and new tools to simplify on-device editing management.
But 2024 wouldn’t be complete without diving into AI, so we introduced an AI-powered virtual background replacement. Say goodbye to green screens and hello to seamless, professional backgrounds—it’s a win-win for everyone.
For the details, check out our HALO 4 Release announcement, where we break it all down.
And then just before the holidays got in full swing, we introduced weekly plans starting at just $9 per week, making HALO software more accessible and flexible than ever before. Whether you’re in events, hospitality, retail, or any other industry, our goal is to provide solutions that you can use all year round.
We focused on our customers
2024 was about more than adding cool new features—our favorite part was taking the time to connect with you—our incredible customers.
We enjoyed reading the amazing feedback from customers (along with valuable constructive criticism we truly appreciate!). Hearing directly from you helps us improve and ensure we’re building tools that truly meet your needs.
But we wanted to dive deeper and really find out what HALO really meant to our customers. So our team conducted extensive customer interviews and published nine case studies highlighting how real businesses deploy HALO in creative and impactful ways. Many of these businesses have captured hundreds of thousands of photos and raved about the difference it made.
From a trip to the vibrant streets of New Orleans to learn how Creole Cuisine is spicing up marketing efforts, to a visit to Nashville where Ole Red is bringing the country lifestyle and photo booths together, we’ve been blown away by the stories of how HALO works for these amazing brands.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
This year, HALO has made its mark across a variety of industries.
We’ve seen it add a touch of elegance to the opera, bring excitement to sports arenas, amplify the electric vibes of the music industry, and charm mini-golf enthusiasts across the pond.
HALO has also shined in the event services industry, helping companies like Amore Entertainment and Just Call Malik earn six figures in revenue and capture countless memorable moments for clients.
We are so proud of what our customers have achieved, to be able to tell such captivating stories, and the part we get to play in them.
Bring on 2025
We can’t wait to carry this energy into 2025, and we have some exciting projects in the pipeline. Stay tuned for details on some major product announcements in the new year!
It’s been amazing to see how HALO owners use the hardware and app to elevate their businesses and create unforgettable experiences. Your creativity and business savvy continue to inspire us.
As a result of all the great things happening, we grew our team by almost 50% in 2024. New folks joined us and roles were filled in sale, engineering, and marketing. It’s been great to see how fresh perspectives and talents are helping us push boundaries and make new things possible.
Here’s to an incredible 2024 and an even brighter year ahead. From all of us at Simple Booth, thank you for being part of our journey.
Let’s make 2025 the best year yet!
New year, bigger goals—take your business to the next level with HALO.