How to Get Guests Moving With an AI Photo Booth

In Toronto, January events mean thick jackets, icy streets, and guests who probably rushed in from the cold just happy to be inside. Once they arrive, though, the real goal is to keep them active. Getting people up, mingling, and sharing the experience is what turns a quiet room into a memorable one.

That is where something like an AI photo booth can help. It is more than just a place to take pictures. When used well, it gives people a reason to move, laugh, and even strike a pose at just the right time. It becomes something worth talking about during the event and something friends rewatch afterward. At DMA Events, our AI photobooth setups are already a favourite at Toronto corporate events, brand activations, conferences, and upscale social celebrations across Canada.

Why Movement Matters at Indoor Winter Events

When the weather outside is cold, it can set the tone inside too. People often stay close to their seats, chat with the same few people, and slowly wind down. That is not ideal if you're trying to build energy, encourage conversation, or keep guests entertained across a full evening.

Helping people move makes a big difference. At indoor events, this can mean more than just dancing. It can be walking across the room for a group photo, stepping into a content station, or getting involved in a tech-forward experience that pulls attention naturally.

We’ve seen that photo booths with interactive features work well for this kind of flow. They encourage a change of pace without putting guests on the spot. A few simple details like bold lighting, upbeat music nearby, or a visible spot with a clear entrance can make people more likely to get up and explore.

How an AI Photo Booth Gets People Involved

Guests interact differently when they feel like part of the action. An AI photo booth gives them ways to play, pose, and react without needing much instruction. That little bit of interaction gets people out of their seats and into the moment. With our AI photobooth, guests receive ultra-realistic AI portraits in just a few seconds, so the experience feels quick, fun, and worth repeating.

Here’s how we’ve seen it work:

• Features like motion sensors or gesture-based commands catch attention and make it easy to get started

• Guests are more curious when the booth includes filters, effects, or smart framing that adjusts to movement

• Rotating cameras or 360 angles keep the setup feeling fresh and fun, even as groups cycle through

The best spot for the booth is somewhere people already walk past, like near the coat check or across from the refreshments. It gives them a reason to pause, look over, and get curious. Once one person tries it, others usually follow.

The key is that the AI photo booth doesn’t feel like a separate activity. It becomes part of the space, part of the energy. Guests notice it, use it, and keep it in mind as they move around.

Making the Experience Easy for Groups

No one wants to stand in a long line or feel confused about how something works. When a booth is group-friendly, guests feel more welcome, and more willing to use it again later in the night.

Here’s what smooth group interactions usually include:

• Clear, simple instructions on how to start and stop a session

• Staff nearby to help keep things light, fun, and fast

• A space that can fit anywhere from two to eight people without squeezing in

Sometimes a booth brings unexpected moments, like coworkers laughing over their third attempt at a perfect pose, or clients who jump into a shared video without planning it. These are the kinds of memories most people never post online but talk about for weeks afterwards.

We’ve noticed that groups are more likely to try a booth if someone else goes first. That means setting up a low-pressure, smooth flow from the beginning can help the momentum build naturally.

Sharing Booth Moments Keeps the Energy Going

Once a photo or short clip is taken, the next step is just as important. The better the sharing experience, the more people stay excited.

Most AI photo booths let guests send their photo or video to their phone right away. That instant access takes something small and turns it into something shareable. When guests see others posting reactions or videos later in the event, it makes them want to jump in too. Our AI photo booths let people receive their portraits instantly by text, email, or QR code, and can collect simple guest details or survey responses so brands walk away with both content and insights.

This kind of energy spreads through:

• Photos and videos showing up in real-time on a venue screen

• Guests comparing their clips at the table afterward

• Staff helping people share or rewatch their moment if they missed part of it

These shared moments build a feeling of “you had to be there,” which makes the booth feel more connected to everything else happening across the event.

Keeping Guests Engaged from Start to Finish

The start of an event is usually easy. People arrive, chat, and find their way. The part that gets trickier is keeping up the energy once the main activity or meal finishes.

This is where movement makes the biggest difference. A photo booth gives guests a reason to keep getting involved, whether that’s creating new content, checking out someone’s photo, or jumping into one more group video before heading out.

Here’s what tends to keep the energy high:

• Booths that stay active across the entire event, not just the first hour

• Clear lighting and spacing, so guests always know where to go

• Enough space or features so it never feels backed up or rushed

No one wants to linger in a room that feels like it’s winding down. But if there's still something fun like a creative photo booth running strong, most people will find a reason to stay a bit longer.

Give Your Event That Extra Lift

We’ve seen how the right setup can change the way guests feel at an event. When people have reasons to move, talk, and share laughter, the whole event becomes more connected.

An AI photo booth can help make that happen without a big push. It's light, fast, and gives guests just enough interaction to stay curious. Thoughtful placement, simple tech, and a mix of solo and group-friendly features can do a lot more than expected.

Even in the middle of winter, events in Toronto can feel warm, active, and full of good energy with just a few smart touches. That extra bit of movement makes the experience stick.

Email richard@digitalmirror.ca or call 416-450-0450 to connect with DMA Events.

Planning a winter event in Toronto and looking for an engaging addition? At DMA Events, we know that incorporating interactive elements makes all the difference. We have seen how an AI photo booth encourages guests to move, smile, and stick around longer as it naturally fits into the flow of the night and gives people something to talk about while they wait their turn. A small moment of movement and fun can energize the room from start to finish, so email richard@digitalmirror.ca or call 416-450-0450 to connect with us.