Photo Activations for Galas: BGC Starry Night Glamping Gala 2023
A MDRN Activations photo booth print featuring three stills of smiling guests.
A fun-filled evening under the stars was the perfect opportunity for MDRN Activations to put the ‘fun’ in fundraiser. BGC Ottawa’s annual Glamping Gala supports the work of BGC Ottawa and helps thousands of children receive free programs and services every year.
This year, the gala’s theme was a starry night, and event organizers had tons of entertainment in store for guests and sponsors. So, we did what we do best.
We created an enclosed photo booth in line with the event’s theme and had a roaming photographer snap photos of guests making memories all night. With a focus on the guest experience, social media marketing, and event branding, the gala was undoubtedly a night to remember—and we have the photos to prove it!
Keep reading to learn how MDRN Activations can amp up your next gala or corporate event.
Michelle Taggart and Jeffrey Smith, event co-chairs, presenting on stage at the gala.
Among the event attendees were various board and committee members, influencers, and change-makers, so a primary goal was to create memorable event experiences and provide ample event photo marketing and branding opportunities. The sold-out event had guests queuing up to get their photos taken throughout the evening.
Photo booths have made a massive comeback recently, with gala and corporate event organizers increasingly seeking creative event entertainment solutions. Photo booths enhance engagement, foster memorable moments, and boost online presence at corporate events and galas.
Our print photo booths bring an authentic, nostalgic feel to galas and corporate events. Guests at the BGC glamping gala had two photo options to choose from—a traditional black and white film strip, or BGC’s custom-branded photo template, which we created to match the ‘Starry Night’ theme.
We like to go above and beyond at MDRN Activations, so the area surrounding the photo booth activation was decked out with disco balls and LED lights to go with the event’s ambiance. Check it out below!
Guests wait in line for the photo booth, which is decorated with disco balls and ambient LED lighting.
A guest happily peering into the photo booth.
Guests posing inside a photo booth.
The screen inside the photo booth displaying how guests see their pictures.
A photo booth attendee helping guests.
Photo booths are an ideal marketing strategy, allowing guests to take branded photos. Our photo booth activations include options for sharing digital photos via social media, email, or text. Guests also had their prints ready instantly, making a unique party favour or souvenir to take home to remember the event.
We want our clients to take advantage of this opportunity, so we offer a full custom wraparound for activation sets, which can be customized to your event’s theme and branding.
The screens inside the booths are also fully brandable, creating a lasting impression on attendees and increasing brand awareness. Our photo booths can also collect email addresses, phone numbers, the number of photos taken, surveys, and more for your analytics efforts.
A group of guests gather inside and around the photo booth.
A photo booth attendee helping a guest.
We also had a roaming photographer at the BGC glamping gala. Here’s how it works:
A MDRN Activations photographer captured photos of guests enjoying the night, much like a regular event photographer. The twist is that the technology we use recognizes guests' faces and texts them any pictures they’re in (with permission, of course)! Logos, branding or borders of your choosing are applied to the image. In this case, we added a custom frame and the event and sponsorship branding.
Guests get Instagram-worthy, high-quality photos of themselves sent instantly. It’s a terrific activation addition for events and galas, where the main goal is establishing a brand identity and increasing social media shares to raise event awareness.
With a professional photographer snapping photos all night and sending the deliverables instantly, you provide guests with high-quality images to share on their preferred socials. Though event organizers aren’t usually able to predict what photos will be shared on social media, the advantage of having a roaming photographer is more control over how, when, and with whom event photos are shared.
These photos include tailored branding and messaging to take control of the event narrative. You ensure certain elements, like important title sponsors or specialized branding efforts, are up to your standards.
On-stage presenters greet a large crowd of attendees.
Guests enjoying some food and conversation.
A candid of guests interacting with each other.
The entrance of the event, where guests gather and mingle.
Photo activations add a fun, interactive, and memorable element to events, making them the perfect addition to corporate events and galas. We had a blast incorporating our print photo booth and roaming photographer into the BGC Glamping Gala and capturing the essence of the night, which lingered long after the event thanks to our photo activation solutions.
See you at the next one!