Best Salsa Accessories
If you’re looking to elevate your photo booth experience – or just simply be prepared for anything – then having the right accessories is essential.
From battery packs, to additional lighting, backdrops, and hotspots – this article has got you covered.
iPad
12.9" iPad Pro / 10.9" iPad Air
Salsa supports several iPad models and there are many things to consider when selecting which one to use with your photo booth – screen size, storage, cellular connectivity.
Two models and configurations stand out from the pack as they both hit different needs.
Our Pick: 12.9” iPad Pro (3rd Gen or later)
This model iPad has the largest screen size for Salsa, providing the most immersive experience and is fully compatible with the faceplate included with Salsa.
Budget Pick: 10.9” iPad Air (4th Gen)
The iPad Air is the least expensive of the supported iPad models when purchased new, with the entry-level model costing $599.
The screen size may be smaller than the 12.9” iPad Pro, but once installed into Salsa using the compatible faceplate, the size difference is negligible.
Printer
DNP DS620A
Our Pick: DNP DS620A
The DNP DS620A is one of the most commonly used professional printers in the photo booth industry. This printer provides great quality, quick prints, and allows for 2x6, 4x6, and 6x6 prints all with the same roll of media.
AirPrint Dongle
AirCastPro II Print Server
While many consumer-level inkjet printers have AirPrint functionality built-in, most professional photo printers do not, and require their own dedicated device to connect.
This is why it’s important to have an AirPrint dongle, so you can turn almost any printer into an AirPrinter for Salsa.
Our Pick: AirCastPro II (ACP2)
Of all the AirPrint dongles we have used The AirCastPro II has proven itself superior in both consistency and print speed. The ACP2 in combination with the DNP 620A printer will give you a robust wireless printer pairing to offer your clients.
Dedicated Hotspot
Inseego
Staying connected during an event can be important – and sometimes frustrating, especially on spotty venue WiFi. That’s why having a backup plan with a dedicated hotspot is a great idea.
Deciding on which hotspot to purchase can be largely dependent on your cellphone service provider, as there may be deals for current subscribers. However, if that isn’t a limitation, these two options are the best to get.
Our Pick: Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L
The 8800L runs off of Verizon’s 4G/LTE network, widely considered the fastest and most reliable of the major carriers.
This hotspot can also run up to 11 hours on a single charge, ensuring you’ll be good to go for the entire event.
Other Options: T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000
The M2000 is for those who need the fastest internet speeds and are in an area where T-Mobile’s 5G network is available.
While a little more expensive than the 8800L, it is the cheapest of the 5G hotspots and T-Mobile’s plans can be more affordable than Verizon.
What about iPads with cellular connectivity?
Purchasing an iPad with cellular data will allow you to cut down on equipment to bring with you to an event and allows you to leave the booth unattended worry-free, as there are no additional devices lying around.
However, an iPad using its own cellular connectivity will not be able to connect to an AirPrint device at the same time.
If you plan on offering prints at an event, and want to share digitally at the same time, you should consider a dedicated hotspot.
Additional Lighting
Yongnuo YN360
Our Pick: Yonguo YN360 III
Whether you’re looking to get the most out of Green Screen, create a unique capture experience, or provide additional lighting, adding the Yongnuo YN360 to your kit is a great idea.
These lights can either be mounted onto a tripod or handheld to provide a bright, white light or any color on the RGB spectrum for a unique guest experience
Backdrops
Atlas Pillow Case Backdrops
Our Pick: Atlas Pillow Case Backdrop
Backdrops come in two main varieties: rod/curtain backdrops and pillow case tension backdrops.
Hanging backdrops are great for reflective materials as the free-flowing nature will allow it to shimmer in the light.
Pillow case backdrops are a tight fabric that are wrapped around the backdrop stand. The snug fit helps eliminate wrinkles and provide a flat surface backdrop, which is perfect for specific designs, company logos, and green screens.
Photobooth Supply Co’s pillow case backdrops come in wide variety and are double-sided, providing two different designs or colors in one and fit perfectly on the Atlas Stand.
Backdrop Stand
Atlas Stand
Our Pick: Atlas Stand
Having a sturdy, reliable backdrop stand is essential part of a photo booth owner’s kit. The Atlas Stand is designed for ease, aesthetics, and adjustments – plus it is built to work seamlessly with PBSCO’s backdrops.
The Atlas Stand is the easiest to set up, most attractive, and simplest to modify to fit your needs, allowing for adjustments to be either 7.5’ x 8’ or 8’ x 8’.
It includes everything you need to set up a backdrop for Salsa or any other kinds of photography and works with rod and curtain drops.
Microphone
SmartMike+ Bluetooth Mic
Our Pick: SabineTek SmartMike+
When recording videos for Video Confessional photo booths you need a Mic that sounds good, is simple to use, and looks great.
The SabineTek SmartMike+ Bluetooth Wireless Microphone gives us everything that we want in a Bluetooth Mic to record high-quality audio along with your videos.
Battery
Anker PowerHouse II 400
Our Pick: Anker PowerHouse II 400
For those situations where the power source at the venue is out of reach or nonexistent, having a portable battery pack can make or break an event.
The Anker PowerHouse II provides Salsa with the required 110 - 120V outlet and can last for 6 to 12 hours, depending on usage.
Also Great: Ryobi 40v Power Source and Battery
The Ryobi 40v is another options if the PowerHouse is either unavailable or you need it sooner, since it might be available at a local hardware store.
The Ryobi 40v power source is compatible with all Ryobi 40v batteries. Depending which battery you choose and usage, it may only provide about 3 to 5 hours of power, but comes at lower cost so you can buy more than one battery to swap out mid-event if needed.
