Snapping our way around KC: Where to find Disney, jungle, and Korean photobooths
Photo strip display at Leafy Korean Desert Cafe // Photo by Kolby Brown
Despite phones allowing people to take free pictures anywhere, anytime, and permanently save them, there’s something appealing about having a strip of low-quality pictures printed from a giant booth, even if it costs a few dollars.
There is something fun and nostalgic about sitting behind a curtain with friends to take four pictures—maybe because it reminds us of simpler times, or maybe because the Fiji villa in Love Island has a photobooth.
Whatever the reason, more photobooths exist around KC than one may expect, hidden in cute spots with goofy themes for those that know where to find them.
Betty Rae’s photobooth // Photo by Kolby Brown
Most photobooths have the typical blank backdrop, giving a clean look but no individuality or pizzazz. Nothing gives pizzazz quite like an overwhelming collage of brightly colored tropical plants.
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream (River Market location) photobooth has psychedelic vibes, picturing subjects among these flamboyant leaves—giving cute, unique shots unless you’re wearing any kind of pattern. It’s a $7 cost for two strips, pretty average for this list, and set within the colorful ice cream shop, near the bathrooms.
The photo strips themselves also have a unique look with a bright blue border marked with the Betty Rae’s logo, a point for originality but a little bold. If you’re looking for a photo strip to use in a Pinterest frame, this one is a little too quirky to match that aesthetic. Ice cream cones do make for nice props, though the correlation between Betty Rae’s and the jungle mood of the booth is unknown.
Between delicious ice cream nearby, the average price, eccentric border, and flashy background, Betty Rae’s photobooth is a solid 8.5/10.
Oak Park Mall Disney-themed photobooth, Avengers design // Photo by Kolby Brown
Oak Park Mall lets mallgoers simulate a Disney park experience with their character-themed photobooth selling specialized photo strips. Customers can choose from dozens of Disney-themed borders, with options from favorites like Moana, Toy Story, and Marvel character designs.
Located on the West side of the lower level next to Build-a-Bear, the price on this photobooth is steep: $10 for two photo strips, plus an additional cost to have the photos emailed (which is easy to accidentally click as the machine automatically selects this, bumping the overall cost to above $20) after going through the confusing number of selection screens.
The most intriguing part of these photos is the ability to add filters to your pictures, something not offered by any other experience on this list—pictured above is the 3D filter, which doesn’t actually work if the viewer doesn’t have 3D glasses on hand. Photo-goers can also picture themselves in black and white or sepia.
Be warned: There is another photobooth on the upper floor near Starbucks boasting videos as well as photos, which may eat all of your coins.
With the high price point and complicated use yet fun variety of Disney-themed options, this photobooth deserves an 8/10.
Leafy Korean Desert Cafe photobooth // Photo by Kolby Brown
The most high-tech photobooth on this entire list is the Leafy Korean Desert Cafe photobooth—with an extensive list of photo filter and style options and a variety of photo strip sizes to choose from. This photobooth even allows users to pick their favorite pictures from multiple options, so you’re only left with the best snapshots.
Leafy Korean Desert Cafe has a whimsical interior between the brightly colored decor and fake vines covering the walls, and this photo booth adds to the ambiance. Besides the booth itself, there is a mirror to check your appearance, a box of sunglasses, hats, and headpieces to wear in your photos, and a wall to leave a strip and message behind for other visitors.
This photobooth truly has everything you could ask for—the only downside for non-bilingual folks is the Korean instructions you have to bypass. Each selection screen had pictures and graphics to go with options, though, so the booth was straightforward enough if you can’t read Korean. This language is due to this photobooth being shipped to the cafe from Korea itself, making the experience all the cooler and more immersive for your cafe experience.
Leafy Korean Desert Cafe photobooth gets a 10/10 for props, extensive style choices, overall vibes, and unique look. The cost of $10 for 2 is definitely worth the price.
Boulevard Brewery photobooth. // Photo by Kolby Brown.
Nestled in a fully furnished mini camper, Boulevard Brewery‘s photobooth has the cutest scenery of this photobooth list. This photo experience is decked out with furniture, wall decor, and books, for both a nice photo op and a relaxing space.
Boulevard Brewery’s Beer Hall is a massive socializing space with a gift shop, guided tours, and drinks, with its photobooth on the second floor just past the bar. Two photo strips are relatively cheap at only $2 for one token—or free to customers ordering food or drinks at the bar.
These photo strips are simple and sleek, with a black border and the Boulevard Brewery logo stamped below. The accessorized camper makes for cozy-looking pictures that look like subjects are on a family camping trip, complete with props if you’re feeling a little extra.
Boulevard Brewery photobooth gets a 10/10. The location, vibe, and low cost are unmatched on this list.
Blip Roasters photobooth. // Photo by Ava McCluer.
Blip Roasters not only serves delicious coffee but also offers a retro photobooth for an aesthetic flick post-espresso. The stand is in the spacious back room, making it less awkward for cafe-goers wanting pictures to slip behind the curtain for their photos.
Customers pay $5.75 for two photo strips; a reasonable price compared to the other options on this list. What makes the Blip Roaster’s photobooth more unique is the lack of theme—which is actually nice, as the photos are simple, clean-looking, and give a vintage vibe.
The only downside to this photobooth is no screen to check your looks. Photo subjects have to hope and pray that the strips meet expectations after blindly posing for their pictures, so practice your poses in a mirror beforehand and be ready to go for the immediate photo countdown.
The inexpensive strips and retro booth at Blip Roasters gets a 9/10.
