For years, green screens have been the go-to for creating immersive photo experiences, instantly transporting guests to new worlds with a simple step in front of the backdrop.
But that vibrant green backdrop? It doesn’t exactly “blend in” at most venues or events.
Then there is the classic problem that anyone wearing green will mysteriously “disappear,” making green screens almost unusable for events like St. Patrick’s Day or Green Bay Packers games.
Finally, there’s a better way.
Introducing Virtual Background Replacement
Now, you can get all the benefits of a green screen with no screen at all!
Our newly updated HALO photo booth app (version 4) lets you magically teleport guests to a tropical beach, a famous city skyline, or a custom-branded scene that brings your creative vision to life—all without the hassle of buying, transporting, or setting up a physical backdrop.
In a little bit, we’ll give a quick rundown of how it works, along with some tips and tricks to help you pull off an unforgettable activation.
But that’s not all…
In addition to the new Virtual Background Replacement feature, we’re happy to share a ton of major improvements to the HALO 4 app, including:
- Fast App Launch: The app now loads presets and in priority order, so you’ll access your presets list more quickly, with the most recently updated presets loading first.
- Refreshed Design: The app’s overall style has been revamped for a more consistent and modern feel, especially in the settings.
- Improved Ease-of-Use: We’ve redesigned screens for selecting props, creating presets, editing galleries, and more to enhance usability and make the experience more visually appealing.
- Data Capture on Preflight: A new status item on the preflight screen will alert you if there are data capture settings issues, like having data capture turned on without any fields enabled, or vice versa.
- Preset and Gallery Info in Mission Control: You can now see current preset and gallery names in Mission Control, along with a button to sync the latest updates from the backend.
As you can see, our team has been focused on making HALO the most reliable and user-friendly photo booth app available, all with you in mind. These improvements are designed to enhance your experience and make every photo opportunity seamless.
These updates are part of a series of major feature releases we’ve rolled out in 2024, including:
- Glam Filter – Create a flawless look in every photo
- Multiple Overlays – Give guests the option to choose from different branded overlays
- API Integration – Pull data directly from Simple Booth into your business systems
- On-Device Editing Option – Lock down your settings to scale up to multiple locations
With all the recent improvements, there’s never been a better time to try Simple Booth or run it again with fresh options.
Now, back to the most exciting new feature of them all: virtual background replacement.
How Virtual Background Replacement Works
Virtual Background Replacement is now available on the Core plan and up to use at your event or venue.
To get started, head to the online dashboard to customize your preset settings for your next photo experience.
After opening up the preset you plan to customize, it’s time to dive into the design process.
Scroll to the Background Replacement panel, check the box to enable it, and make sure to select “Virtual” for the method.
Next, you’ll need some background images to upload, which is where the fun begins!
Finding the best background images
The background image is a key element in your overall design, and there are many creative directions you can explore.
There are many ways to find great backgrounds, whether by licensing images from stock photo websites, finding free open-source images on platforms like Shutterstock or Unsplash, or even creating unique images using AI prompts with tools like Canva or DreamStudio.
The best background images will also fit in with your stylistic choices for overlays and other branding.
It’s important to select a background image that complements your image orientation, whether it’s portrait, landscape, or square. This will depend on your iPad’s orientation and whether you choose the square crop mode.
For optimal results, we recommend the following sizes. For additional guidance, visit our Background Replacement Guide.
| iPad Orientation | Background Image Size in Pixels |
| Portrait | 960×1280 |
| Landscape | 1280×960 |
| Square Crop | 960×960 |
One vs multiple background choices
If you upload a single background image, it will automatically apply to each photo taken. But if you add multiple background images, guests can choose their own background before they take their photo, adding a more personal touch to their experience.
You can upload up to 50 background images, allowing plenty of room for creative possibilities. However, it’s best practice to choose 10 or fewer images if possible. This offers variety for an engaging experience without overwhelming the participant with choices.
By default, guests choose their background image before taking their photo, so that they can see a live preview and pose or interact with the background. You can also allow guests to choose a different background after taking their photo by enabling the “Background Replacement” feature in the “Editing Tools” panel, allowing them to see their background alongside all your other design elements.
Once you’ve uploaded your background images, you can test them with your other photo design elements to ensure everything feels cohesive. Open the HALO app on your iPad, launch your preset, and tap the start screen to launch the photo booth.
Try Live Feed to show it off
To create a truly immersive experience, consider pairing Virtual Backgrounds with our Live Feed feature, which projects photos in real-time using a projector, TV screen, or even your website. Many of our customers have found this combination to be an effective way to boost engagement and showcase their creativity during their event or at their venue.
Creating an immersive experience not only builds excitement during the event but also encourages guests to share their moments with friends and family on social media. This social sharing generates valuable user-generated content (UGC) that you can leverage for marketing—just be sure to follow all local regulations and best practices when handling user data.
For added control, on the Pro plan and up, you can use the Data Capture feature to include an opt-in for social sharing permissions. Guests on any plan can also choose to mark their photos as private (if the gallery isn’t already private), giving them control over their individual privacy. This way, they can fully enjoy the experience while feeling confident about how their images are shared.
Future Improvements
We’re excited about how these updates will enhance your HALO app experience and unlock new creative possibilities. The new virtual background replacement feature is designed to make event setups smoother and help you create even more immersive experiences for your guests.
Remember, the HALO 4 update brings many other improvements, including faster app launch, a refreshed design, and more intuitive screens for selecting props, creating presets, and editing galleries. You’ll also benefit from data capture alerts and better preset management in Mission Control, making the entire experience more streamlined and efficient.
As always, we’d love to hear how these updates are working for you and any suggestions you have for future improvements. Feel free to reach out to us anytime at halo@simplebooth.com.
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