This isn't a photo booth.This is a moment.

A live portrait studio at your wedding, gala or corporate event. A dedicated portrait photographer directs every guest under real studio light. Seconds later, their retouched portrait is on their phone. No props, no strips, no waiting.

Check your date See the difference
Philadelphia, New Jersey, NYC and beyond

On their phones in seconds.

Most portrait services shoot at your event, edit afterward, and deliver hours or days later. We retouch as we go. Within seconds of their portrait, guests scan a QR code and download the finished, edited image, while they're still dressed up and the night is still happening.

  1. 1
    The portraitA few directed frames under studio light.
  2. 2
    Retouched on siteEdited at the event, in seconds.
  3. 3
    Scan the QR codeYour custom gallery opens on their phone.
  4. 4
    Download & shareShared before they've left the set.

Want something to hold? Add on-site printing, or have prints made for favors and thank-you cards. See prints

Why settle for a photo booth?

A booth is a camera on a timer. The Atelier is a portrait session run by a professional photographer, set up inside your event. Here's what changes for your guests.

 A typical photo boothThe Live Portrait Atelier
Behind the cameraAn automated camera and a countdownA dedicated portrait photographer, there for your guests all evening
PropsFeather boas, oversized glasses, signs on sticksNone, ever. Your guests, their outfits and great light are the whole point
PosingGuesswork in front of a screenGuided posing for every guest, couple and group
LightOne flat, on-camera flashStudio strobes and modifiers, shaped for each frame
The lookParty snapshotsEditorial portraits in your choice of three styles
EditingStraight out of the camera, maybe a filterEvery portrait retouched before it reaches your guests
DeliveryA printed stripEdited and on guests' phones within seconds, through a QR code and your custom gallery
AfterwardsStrips in a drawerPrints, a built-in print store and an optional handwritten guestbook album

A portrait experience, not a photo booth. Photo booths are old news.

A portrait studio, brought to your event.

The Atelier is a fully styled set with intentional lighting, a photographer who guides every pose, and an editorial eye on every frame. Guests walk up in their best and walk away with a portrait they'll actually frame.

A real photographer

A dedicated portrait photographer runs the set, so nobody has to know their angles.

Studio lighting

Real strobes and modifiers, the same light we use in our Philly studio.

Retouched, not raw

Every portrait is retouched before it reaches your guests.

On their phones in seconds

Guests scan a QR code and download their edited portrait moments after it's taken.

Think Vanity Fair, reimagined for your celebration.

Recently set up at Philadelphia Museum of Art, Liberty View, The Downtown Club by Cescaphe, Hanover Marriott and the Marriott.

Hollywood Glam, printed and matted

Choose your style

Every Atelier is lit and directed in one signature look, chosen to suit your event.

Timeless & Classy

Bright white backdrop, crisp black and white. Joyful, simple and made to last.

How it works

We need just an 8 × 10 ft indoor corner of your venue, and no outlets: everything runs on battery. We build the studio before guests arrive, start at cocktail hour and carry on into the reception so every guest gets their moment.

1

We build the set

Backdrop, studio strobes and modifiers, set up in a compact 8 × 10 ft footprint.

2

We shape the light

Every light is placed and tested so skin tones, gowns, suits and sherwanis all look their best.

3

Guests step in

Singles, couples, families, the whole friend group. Your photographer directs each one through a few quick frames.

4

From click to share

Guests scan a QR code and their edited portrait is on their phone within seconds.

Space: 8 × 10 ft, indoors Power: none needed, fully battery-powered Coverage: cocktail hour into the reception Props: never

For galas, corporate events and award shows

The same red-carpet studio, built to work for your brand. Guests get a portrait worth sharing, and every share carries your name.

  • Your logo on every portraitEvent, sponsor or company marks placed on each retouched image.
  • A branded galleryA custom banner at the top of the gallery can link to your website or a campaign page.
  • Guest email captureOptionally ask guests for their email before they view, and leave with a new list for your marketing.
Plan your event
Galas & fundraisersAward showsCorporate partiesBrand activationsConferencesLaunch events

Behind the scenes

The lights, the direction, the energy on set. This is what your guests walk into.

The set, live at an event.

On set, between frames.

Take it home

Digital comes first, in seconds. When you want something to hold, every portrait can be printed.

  • Printed on siteGuests leave with a print in hand. Add-on, with an extra attendant and a little more space.
  • Favors and giveawaysA printed portrait of every guest, ready within 7 days.
  • Thank-you cardsTuck each guest's portrait into their card. It's the thank-you note they'll keep.
  • Guests' own printsAnyone can order prints from the gallery's built-in store.
  • A guestbook you'll open againEvery portrait beside a handwritten message, in a 10 × 10 lay-flat album.
See print add-ons

The Atelier for your wedding

One package, with add-ons that carry the portraits from your big day into your home.

The Live Portrait Atelier

$3,000

Final quote depends on your date and venue.

Significant savings are available on select open dates, and for couples who also book Abhi Sarkar Photography for their wedding coverage. Ask us when you inquire.

  • Portrait station with a dedicated portrait photographer
  • Your choice of style: Timeless & Classy, Fine & Quirky or Hollywood Glam
  • Custom online gallery, with images available to guests instantly
  • Custom logo with your initials (optional)
  • 3 hours, from cocktail hour into the reception
Check your date

Printed portraits

$500
  • 5 × 7 prints, ready within 7 days
  • Tuck an individual print into each guest's thank-you card

On-site printing

Ask us
  • Prints handed to guests during the event
  • Includes an additional attendant; needs a little extra space

Guestbook album

$1,000
  • Guests write a handwritten message on an iPad after their portrait
  • Includes an additional attendant
  • Every portrait and message printed in a premium 10 × 10 lay-flat guestbook

8% local sales tax additional.

Questions

Don't see yours? Ask us in the inquiry form.

Is this a photo booth?

No. A photo booth is an automated camera on a timer. The Atelier is a live portrait studio run by a dedicated professional photographer, who lights, poses and directs every guest. The portraits are retouched and delivered to guests' phones, and they look like editorial portraits rather than party snapshots.

How fast do guests get their photos?

Within seconds. Each portrait is edited on site as it's taken. Guests scan a QR code at the set, your custom gallery opens on their phone, and their finished portrait is there to download and share. Nobody waits days for an email.

Are you our main wedding photographer?

The Atelier is a dedicated portrait experience that runs alongside your wedding photographer and videographer, and focuses entirely on your guests. If you'd like full wedding coverage too, Abhi Sarkar Photography offers it, and couples who book both receive a significant discount.

Are the portraits black and white or color?

That depends on the style you choose. Timeless & Classy and Hollywood Glam are black and white. Fine & Quirky is in full color.

Do you bring props?

Never. This is a portrait experience, not a photo booth. Guided posing and studio light do the work, so your guests look like themselves at their best.

How much space do you need?

An 8 × 10 ft indoor area is all the set requires. No outlets are needed: all of our equipment is battery-powered.

Can guests get prints?

Yes. On-site printing is available as an add-on, with an additional attendant and a little extra space, so guests leave with a print in hand. Guests can also order prints from the gallery's built-in store, and couples can add 5 × 7 prints of every guest, ready within 7 days, for favors or thank-you cards.

Can our logo or monogram appear on the portraits?

Yes. Couples can add a custom logo with their initials. For galas and corporate events, we can place event, sponsor or company logos on every portrait, and add a branded banner to the gallery that links to your website.

How long is the Atelier at our event?

We start at cocktail hour and continue into the reception, so every guest has the chance to be photographed. The wedding package covers 3 hours. For galas and corporate events, coverage is tailored to your program.

Can the set go outdoors?

We work indoors only. Weather, wind and changing light work against a studio set, so we keep the Atelier inside your venue.

How far ahead should we book?

Couples book anywhere from a year ahead to a couple of months out, depending on availability. If your date is close, ask us anyway. Open dates often come with savings.

Do you travel?

We're based in Philadelphia and work across New Jersey, New York City and beyond. Travel details are included in your quote.

Bring the Atelier to your event

Tell us your date, venue and guest count. We'll come back with availability and a tailored proposal for your wedding, gala or corporate event.

(856) 857-8147 abhi@abhisarkar.com Instagram @asarkarphotos
The Live Portrait Atelier logo