How to Ask Photo Booth Clients for Reviews

When is the best time to ask for a review?

Time it to the client's high point, which is opening the gallery rather than the morning after:

1. End of the night: the attendant tells the host, "We'll send your gallery within 48 hours. If you love it, a quick review helps us a lot."
2. Within 48 hours: deliver the gallery.
3. About 2 days after delivery: send the request by text and email.
4. About 5 days later: one reminder text if no review has appeared.
5. Stop. Never more than two asks.

A small QR card at the booth during the last 30 minutes also works: "Loved the booth? Scan to leave us a review."

What should the review request say?

Short, warm, one link. A good request:

• Uses the client's first name and event
• Makes it one tap with your direct review link
• Says it takes about a minute
• Suggests topics without scripting them: event type, venue, city, what guests loved, and how easy you were to work with
• Invites a private reply if anything was less than perfect

Sample excerpt (text): "Hi [Client First Name]! It's [Your Name] from [Business Name]. Hope you've had fun reliving the night in your gallery! If you have 60 seconds, a quick review would mean the world to our small business: [Review Link]. Thank you!"

Suggesting the venue and city helps reviews match what future clients search for. Never write the review for them.

What are the rules on incentives and review gating?

Two rules are non-negotiable:

• No incentives. No discounts, credits, gifts or raffle entries in exchange for a review. Review platforms prohibit it, and the FTC's rule on consumer reviews targets buying them.
• No gating. Do not survey clients first and send only the happy ones to your review link. Ask everyone the same way, fix problems directly, and still ask.

Rewards are fine for referrals. A past-client offer that gives a friend $50 off and the referrer a $50 gift card is separate from reviews and does not depend on one. If you plan anything unusual, check it with an attorney first.

How should you respond to reviews?

Reply to every review within 48 hours, matched to the rating:

• 5 stars: thank them by name, mention the event type, venue and booth, and invite them back.
• 4 stars: thank them, and ask what would have made it a 5-star night, with your direct number.
• 1 to 3 stars: thank them for the feedback, say it fell short of your standard, and say you are reaching out directly today. Then call. Never argue publicly or share booking details.

A calm, specific reply to a critical review shows future clients how you handle problems, which can matter as much as the rating itself.

Which review request mistakes should you avoid?

• Asking at the event with a phone in their face. Plant the seed, then ask after the gallery.
• Sending people through a maze. Every extra click loses someone. Use the direct link.
• A third and fourth reminder. Two asks is the limit.
• Forgetting the venue. A week after the event, send the coordinator 3 to 5 favorite images with permission to use them. It is not a review request, but it is how you get onto preferred vendor lists. See venue partnerships.