Yes, an open air photo booth works well for a corporate family day, because it has no walls, fits a whole family in one frame and hands every group a print within seconds. Kids treat it like a game. Parents treat it like the one family photo they'll actually get that year. At Shutter360 we see more Sydney companies swap the end-of-year cocktail party for a staff picnic or fun day, often at parks and function spaces across Western Sydney and the Hills District. This guide covers what changes when your guest list runs from toddlers to grandparents, and what to check before you book.

Does an Open Air Photo Booth Work for Kids and Adults Together?

It does, and the format is the reason. An open air booth is a camera, a screen and a backdrop, with an open space in front where guests stand. There's no door and no bench. That matters when a family of five arrives with a pram, or a grandparent uses a walking frame.

Group size also stretches further than people expect. Families rarely come through in neat pairs. They come in clusters of six, then a cousin runs in late, then the dog appears. An open frame handles that without anyone getting cut off at the edge.

Then there's the print. Each session gives guests a choice of two 2" x 6" strips or one 4" x 6" print. Parents usually pick strips, one for the fridge and one for a grandparent. Kids grab theirs and run to show someone. Isn't that the whole point of a family day?

What Changes When Half Your Guests Are Under 10?

Quite a lot, and none of it is hard if your supplier plans for it. Small children have short attention spans, so sessions move quickly. The attendant counts down out loud, keeps the pose simple and resets the next group fast.

Camera height is the detail most planners miss. A booth set for adults crops a seven-year-old at the forehead. Who wants a gallery full of hairlines? A good attendant lowers the camera, or brings a step forward, whenever a cluster of kids comes through on their own.

Props need a rethink too. Small, fiddly items get dropped and trodden into the grass within the first hour. Bigger signs, hats and frames survive better, and kids actually use them. Our open air package includes props and a backdrop from the Signature Collection, and we lean on the sturdier pieces for family events.

Expect repeat visits. Children will come back five or six times in an afternoon. With unlimited sessions, that's fine, and the attendant learns to rotate them through between adult groups so the queue stays fair.

Corporate Family Day Photo Booth Checklist: Power, Shade and Park Rules

Outdoor family days usually go wrong on logistics. Who wants to find out at 10am that the park has no power? Sort these before you sign anything:

1. Power. A print booth needs a reliable power source for the printer and screen. Some parks offer none. The picnic area terms at Sydney Olympic Park, for example, say electricity isn't available and fuelled generators aren't permitted. Ask the venue, then ask your supplier how they'll run.

2. Supplier rules. The same terms say third parties can't add on to a picnic area booking. Other councils and parklands set their own rules, so get written approval for a staffed booth before you confirm.

3. Shade. Direct midday sun washes out faces and overheats screens. A covered spot, a shelter or a marquee gives better photos and keeps the queue comfortable.

4. Wind. Backdrops act like sails. Flat, sheltered ground near a building or tree line keeps the frame stable.

5. Access. Check how far the vehicle can get from the setup spot. Long carries across grass add time before guests arrive.

Shutter360 sends a pre-event briefing form four weeks before the event and locks in venue access, power and layout two weeks out. On an outdoor family day, that early check is what stops a surprise on the morning.

Open Air or 360 for a Corporate Family Day?

Both formats can work. The guest mix decides which one fits. Here's how they compare on the points that matter at a family event:

Our view: if most families bring young children, choose open air. A raised, rotating platform needs closer supervision with toddlers, and prints suit that age better than video. If your staff skew younger and fewer kids attend, a 360 gives you shareable clips instead.

How Long Should You Book the Booth for a Staff Picnic?

Most corporate family days run three to five hours, but the booth doesn't need to cover all of it. Families arrive in waves, settle in, eat, then drift towards activities after lunch. That middle stretch is when the queue builds.

Book the booth for that window, usually two to three hours. Why pay for hours when the lawn is half empty? Earlier than that, guests are still finding their spot. Later, younger kids get tired and families start packing up.

Setup and pack-down sit outside the hire time, so the booth is ready when your first families walk in. If the day runs long, ask about an extra hour in advance instead of on the day. For more on planning formats across event types, see our photo booth hire guide for Sydney.

Corporate Family Day Photo Booth FAQs

Can a photo booth run outdoors in a Sydney park?

Yes, as long as the site has a safe power source, shade and flat ground, and the venue allows outside suppliers. Some parks have no electricity and ban generators, so check the venue's hire terms first. A covered area near a building usually gives the most reliable setup.

Are photo booth props safe for young children?

Larger props are the safer, more practical choice. Small pieces get dropped, lost or put in mouths, so ask your supplier to bring bigger signs, frames and hats. With an attendant on hand for the full hire, someone is always watching how props get used.

Can we add company branding to a family day print?

Yes. The overlay can carry your logo and event name, so families take home a print that ties back to the day. Keep it light for a family event. A small logo and the date look better on the fridge than a heavy corporate banner.

A staffed open air booth with instant prints gives every family at your staff day something to take home, without you managing the details on the morning. Explore our open air photo booth hire in Sydney and send through your venue and date.

Sources

• Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Terms and Conditions of Hire: Picnic areas