Beyond the Ask - How to Approach Strategic Photo Booth Partnerships for Non-Profit Events

When it comes to planning a successful fundraising event, the conversation can’t just start with “Can you donate your services?” Instead, the best events begin by asking deeper questions:

• What problem is this event solving?
• What does success look like—and how will we measure it?
• Do we have the right tools, partners, and capacity to make this happen?

At Ohh Snap! Photo Booth, we’ve worked with countless non-profits across Louisiana, and we’ve learned one major truth: events aren’t a fundraising strategy—they’re a tool. And when used intentionally, they can create real long-term value in the form of community visibility, donor engagement, and lasting impressions.

Whether it’s a gala, festival, donor dinner, or awareness walk, here’s how to approach photo booth partnerships (and other vendors) the smart way—and build events that leave impact far beyond the night-of.

Start With Strategy, Not Just a Vendor List

Before you start reaching out for donations, zoom out and ask:

• Why are we hosting this event?
• What’s the goal—raising money, building relationships, community visibility?
• What do our guests expect, and how can we make them feel valued?

These questions help you make intentional decisions—not just about decorations and entertainment, but about what tools will support your goals. Photo booths aren’t just fun—they’re an experience that can be branded, interactive, and even capture donor data.

How to Ask for In-Kind Donations the Right Way

If you’ve identified a vendor that aligns with your event goals, here are a few best practices before sending a donation request:

Be Specific About the Impact

Don’t just say “We’d love a free photo booth.” Instead, explain how their presence contributes to the guest experience and event success.

Will it keep guests engaged between speeches?
Drive visibility through social sharing?
Give donors something they’ll take home and remember?

Provide Exposure Value

Even if a vendor donates their services, they still have costs and time involved. Show them what they’ll get in return:

• Social media mentions
• Event signage
• Logo on printouts or the booth itself
• Inclusion in press releases or emails

Acknowledge the Ask

Recognize that while you’re passionate about your cause, vendors receive multiple requests each month. Respect the “no” and be ready with another option (which we’ll cover below!).

💡 When In-Kind Isn’t Possible: Leverage Sponsorships Instead

At Ohh Snap!, we love working with non-profits—but we also know we can’t say yes to every in-kind request. That’s why we encourage organizations to leverage our services as a sponsored activation.

Here’s how that works:

You find a business aligned with your mission
Think local businesses, board members, or supporters who want to be seen as active community partners.

We customize the booth with their branding
From logos on the booth wrap, to custom prints, branded photo overlays, and sponsored galleries—their brand gets premium placement all while guests have fun.

Guests walk away with a keepsake AND a sponsor impression
People stick photo booth prints on their fridge, desks, and corkboards.
Unlike banner signage, photos get seen and remembered—and reshared on social media for years to come.

Bonus: With our social booths and roaming photography, we offer data insights, contact collection, and even pre-filled social captions, making your sponsor’s presence truly measurable.

Align the Booth with Your Event Goals

Photo booths can be more than just a line item. When integrated with your strategy, they can:

• Make guests feel special and valued
• Serve as a touchpoint for donor engagement
• Create a space for branding and messaging
• Collect useful data for future campaigns
• Enhance post-event follow-up (with a branded photo or email message!)

Don’t Forget the Follow-Up

One of the most powerful takeaways from any event happens after it ends. And the photo booth is one of the best ways to keep the moment alive:

• Send a follow-up email with their photo attached
• Include a thank-you and a reminder to support your mission
• Let sponsors reshare images with their audience for extended reach

Ready to Make It Happen?

We’re here to help you create not just fun moments, but strategic ones. If you’re planning a non-profit event and want to explore either an in-kind donation or a sponsored photo activation, let’s talk.

We’ll help you find the most effective way to bring value to your guests, your cause, and your supporters.

Contact us to start the conversation »

Final Thought

Not every vendor can donate, but every conversation is an opportunity to collaborate creatively. When you lead with goals, value, and partnership, you’ll be amazed at the doors that open—and the moments you can create together.