Graduation Photo Booth Ideas to Celebrate the Class of 2025

Graduation isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a milestone. Whether you’re celebrating high school seniors, college grads, or postgrad achievements, a graduation photo booth brings fun, flair, and plenty of sentiment to the celebration.

And with 2025 grads heading into a tech-savvy world, your photo booth setup should be just as smart. Whether you’re renting a booth, DIY-ing it with your own gear, or using a modern solution like Simple Booth HALO®, the goal is the same: create a photo booth experience that’s social, stylish, and shareable.

From campus-wide events and senior send-offs to backyard parties and banquet halls, this guide covers everything you need to make your graduation photo booth unforgettable—no matter your setup or budget.

1️⃣ Make a Statement with the Backdrop

Your backdrop is more than decoration—it’s the centerpiece of every photo. Go bold, bright, or nostalgic, depending on the tone of your event.

Popular 2025 Graduation Backdrop Ideas:

• School colors with streamer walls, balloons, or confetti blasts
• “Class of 2025” marquee letters or vinyl signage
• A “Then vs Now” wall with kindergarten or freshman-year photos for throwback fun
• For college grads: department-specific décor (e.g. film reels, lab coats, capstone projects)
• Virtual backgrounds (available in the HALO app) that transport guests to famous campus landmarks, dream travel spots, or future workplaces

Parents can get in on the fun too—add a virtual background from your alma mater for a tongue-in-cheek twist on family pride. Whether it’s formal or fun, the right backdrop sets the tone and makes every photo pop.

2️⃣ Provide Props that Celebrate (and Speak Gen Z)

Graduates want personality in their pics. Add simple, crowd-pleasing props that speak to the occasion—and give guests a reason to smile, pose, and share.

Trending 2025 Graduation Prop Ideas:

• Grad caps and faux diplomas
• “I did it!” “Hire me!” “On to the next” signs
• Oversized numbers (2-0-2-5), emoji cutouts, or even LinkedIn logo props
• Mascots, school crests, or local landmarks for a hyper-personal touch
• Parent-pleasers: signs like “Proud Mom!” “Dad of a Grad” or “We Made It!”

Both universities and families can get creative with photo booth props—whether it’s major-specific designs, campus mascots, or personalized touches like inside jokes and throwback photos. Or just keep it classic with fun sunglasses, party headbands, and more!

For a greener option, HALO makes it easy to incorporate digital props and stickers that add personality—without any cleanup.

3️⃣ Make Sharing Effortless (and Fun)

Grads live online—and your photo booth should, too. With HALO, photos can be texted, emailed, or AirDropped instantly, and shared across all major social platforms.

Top Sharing Features for 2025 Graduates:

• LinkedIn sharing: Let grads announce their achievement on the spot
• Instagram-ready formats: Square crops, filters, and digital props make content instantly postable
• Custom hashtags and captions: Keep the celebration organized and searchable
• Event sponsor mentions: Great for branded events or school partnerships

If you’re using the HALO software, all of these sharing features are built right in. Schools can add branded overlays to spotlight departments, clubs, or student achievements, while families can personalize photos with proud messages or favorite grad quotes.

Want to boost visibility? Create a mix of custom overlays that include your hashtag, school name, or event title—so every shared photo tells part of your celebration story.

4️⃣ Set Up Your Graduation Photo Booth (Your Way)

Graduation season isn’t just about the big ceremony—it’s a whole series of celebrations, from senior breakfasts and honors nights to field days and department parties. Whether you’re hosting 30 grads or 3,000, there’s a photo booth setup that can match your scale, style, and schedule.

From backyard parties to campus-wide events, here are three flexible ways to bring your graduation photo booth to life—no matter your budget or level of involvement:

🎨 DIY Your Graduation Photo Booth

Looking for a hands-on approach? A DIY photo booth gives you total creative control—ideal for tech-savvy parents, student clubs, or anyone working with a tight budget. 

From the backdrop to the props to the overall vibe, you’re in charge of every detail. It’s a great fit for senior week celebrations, student-led send-offs, or backyard grad parties with a personal touch.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your own iPad or tablet
• A tripod or stand
• A simple ring light (or great natural light)
• Props and backdrops to match your graduation theme

Want to level up? Photo booth apps—like the HALO app—add filters, virtual props, and built-in sharing features to give your DIY setup a polished, pro-quality feel.

Pro tip: The HALO app starts at just $9 per week, with flexible plans and ready-made graduation themes that make it easy for schools, PTAs, and party planners to get started fast—without breaking the budget.

👉 Check out the DIY Photo Booth Guide for gear recs, setup ideas, and how-tos.

📸 Buy HALO for a Sleek, All-in-One Experience

Planning a bigger celebration or looking for a plug-and-play setup? The HALO selfie stand delivers a polished, professional photo booth experience—trusted by universities and event pros alike.

From senior banquets to commencement receptions, HALO is built to impress and designed to last.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Sleek, durable hardware with built-in studio-grade lighting
• Easy to transport, store, and reuse for future school or personal events
• Seamless integration with HALO software for instant sharing and custom branding

Pro tip: Schools automatically receive a 15% discount on annual software plans—no special code or paperwork required.

Want to see it in action? State University uses HALO year-round to boost student engagement and capture the energy of campus life—from orientation to graduation.

👉 Explore the HALO product page for specs, photos, and everything you need to get started.

🎉 Rent a Photo Booth for the Night

Hosting a one-time event and want to keep things simple? Renting a photo booth can be the most convenient option—especially if you want a hands-off experience.

Here’s why it’s a solid option (if you don’t mind the higher price tag):

• No setup or teardown—many rentals include delivery and on-site service
• Ideal for single events where you don’t want to manage the tech
• Professional results without a long-term commitment

Pro tip: Want the best of both worlds? Use the HALO app with your own iPad and ring light for just $9 per week and get a premium, shareable photo booth experience—without the rental price tag.

✅ Why More Schools, Parents, and Committees Are Choosing HALO

From commencements to grad night parties, more and more schools, families, and event planners are turning to Simple Booth HALO® as their go-to photo booth solution. It’s easy to use, quick to set up, and designed to deliver standout results—without the stress.

Here’s why HALO works so well for graduation season (and beyond):

• Lightweight and portable — easy to move between venues
• Built-in studio lighting — perfect for gyms, quads, and everywhere in between
• Simple to set up, even simpler to use — intuitive for guests of all ages
• Flexible pricing — weekly and monthly plans to match your timeline and budget

And with 60+ readily available themes and customizable overlays, you can easily refresh the look for each event—making one booth go a long way.

5️⃣ Make It Meaningful—And Unforgettable

Yes, grads want photos that look good. But they also want moments that feel good. A thoughtfully designed photo booth experience can do both—creating space for celebration, reflection, and connection.

Here are a few ways to elevate your photo booth experience and turn it into a memory-maker.

Personal touches that hit home:

• Add a “Message to My Future Self” digital prop or guestbook-style overlay
• Set up a memory wall where students can pin printed photos or handwritten notes
• Create a “Faculty Favorites” booth for students and teachers to pose together
• Need extra copies? Save photos to Dropbox or directly to your camera roll for printing or sharing later.

Upgrades that make it even better:

• Print Options: HALO supports AirPrint, so guests can print photo strips on-site with a compatible printer and Wi-Fi
• Live Feed Display: Show off real-time booth photos on a screen to boost energy and encourage participation
• Endless Customization: Add branded overlays, personalized messages, and custom digital props and stickers to make each photo truly unique
• Pro Features: Unlock our beautiful glam filter, background blur, and other built-in editing tools for a polished, pro-level experience
• Expert Support When You Need It: Whether you’re just getting started or want to go big, our resources, tutorials, and responsive Support team have your back every step of the way

Whether you’re keeping it simple or going all-out, customizable overlays, digital props, and thoughtful add-ons help turn quick snaps into keepsake moments that grads, families, and faculty will truly remember.

Celebrate Big Wins with a Photo Booth That Delivers 🎓

No matter what kind of graduation you’re planning—high school, college, trade school, or beyond—your photo booth should match the energy of the moment. And in 2025, that means going beyond just a camera and backdrop. It means interactive features, instant sharing, and a photo experience that feels as memorable as the milestone itself.

Whether you’re going the DIY route, renting a booth for the night, or planning ahead for future events, there’s no shortage of ways to get creative. But if you’re looking for a solution that’s flexible, reliable, and built to impress—Simple Booth HALO has you covered.

Simple to set up, easy to customize, and designed for both schools and families, HALO brings big energy to every celebration without the stress. So cue the cap toss, strike a pose, and make it a moment worth remembering.