4 Tips for Incorporating Eye-Catching Video Mapping at Your Next Event
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n the age of constant digital connection, your event guests will be armed and ready to snap a selfie at your next event — whether or not you have a photo-worthy setup in place. So, set your program up for success and meet your crowd where they’re at with customized photo backdrops! Creating shareable photo stations keeps attendees engaged (and takes a bit of pressure off marketing from having to capture the night). Here’s an inside look at how our team of destination management experts takes event photo ops from concept to creation.
Skip the Stiff Headshots
Whichever setup you choose, it’s important that it feels fun and fresh rather than overly formal or stiff. For previous events, the DCi team has combined classic headshots with AI-generated, customized aura readings for guests in real time, based on their images. Attendees could easily share their results on social, which made for a popular, personalized experience. We’ve also coordinated an interactive photo concept inspired by the whimsical world of Wicked, in which guests’ posed shots were digitally transformed to match Elphaba and Glinda’s aesthetics.
Put Entertainment First
Another way to create an Instagram-worthy moment? Weaving themed entertainment into the setup. For example, as part of a San Diego event photo op, our team hosted a Maverick look-alike to capitalize on the popularity of the film Top Gun: Maverick. The character-driven, cinematic setup was a hit, to say the least! The event’s attendees flocked to the station to snap a photo with Tom Cruise’s doppelganger all evening long.
Stick to Your Theme
The key to creating a successful photo setup is to make it a purposeful part of the entire event experience. In other words, these set-like backdrops and experiences should attract the same amount of attention as the rest of the entertainment and decor and, ideally, fit under the same overarching theme. Case in point: At a Texas State Fair-inspired program, we enhanced the regional, rodeo-style theme by having guests pose with a live bull — an incredibly unique, on-theme photo opportunity!
Create Multipurpose Setups
Consider event photo setups that serve dual purposes: a beautiful backdrop and an interactive activity for the crowd. Previously, DCi curated a custom, kaleidoscopic video experience that encouraged guests to strike a pose (or two) inside a honeycomb-style structure. The end result? Mirrored, dynamic short-form video that felt made for Instagram Reels and TikTok. Also consider placing experiential art installations around your venue — these highly visual pieces are equal parts decor and enticing event photo ops.
Reuse & Reconstruct
In line with DCi’s sustainability initiatives and cost-saving strategies, the design team often augments photo-op items to fit the client’s brand, allowing the props to be repurposed for other events. For example, a rustic wood wall or lush hedge wall can be recycled and customized with creative signage. We always look for strong opportunities to incorporate client branding into photo installations — creating highly shareable, tailor-made moments that are stunning to look at and reinforce brand identity at the same time.
Need help curating the perfect event photo op? DCi can help your vision come to life. Contact our team to get the ball rolling.
