Roaming Photography mode is built for professional event photographers and roaming operators who want to capture high-quality photos on the move without relying on a fixed photo booth setup.

Unlike traditional Photo Booth Mode, where guests or attendants need to start their own sessions, Roaming Photography Mode gives full control to the photographer. Using the Snappic photo booth app on an iPad or iPhone, photographers can walk through an event with the device connected to a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera, capture candid moments instantly and continuously, and show guests their photos for review and sharing, all from one device.

This feature is ideal for weddings, corporate activations, and live events where mobility, speed, and professionalism matter most.

Important Notes

Plan Access – Roaming Photography mode is available with the following Photo Booth plans: Business, Premium, and Scale. It is also available on both the Roaming Photography plans: Pro and Agency. If the Roaming Mode option is unavailable, the button will appear grayed out in your event settings.
Independent Modes – You can turn Roaming Mode and Photo Booth Mode on or off separately. To toggle the options on or off, go to Event Options → Advanced Tab for Photo Booth mode and Roaming Tab for Roaming mode.
Device Compatibility – The Snappic app is available for iOS devices. We suggest pairing the iOS device with a DSLR or mirrorless camera for professional quality. You will need to connect the iOS device to the DSLR with a cable.
Constant Session Selections: In Roaming Mode, once you select your photo/video layout, background, or AI effect, this selection is used for all captured sessions until you end the session and choose a different experience. This differs from Photo Booth Mode, where your selection needs to be chosen after every session taken.
Multi-Capture: After each session is saved and/or shared, the app will take you back to the camera, ready to capture the next session
Hands-on guest experience: The photographer can hand the device to the guest for quick sharing. We have a more convenient option, SmartShare, which allows users to enter their details just once and automatically sends all sessions to them.
Survey pop-up: In Roaming Mode, the survey may be shown at a different point than when using Photo Booth mode.

What is Roaming Photography Mode?

Roaming Photography Mode transforms your iPhone/iPad + DSLR setup into a mobile professional photography station, allowing you to:

Capture freely around the event
Use templates, filters, AI FX, and overlays
Review photos instantly with guests
Share images seamlessly via SMS, Email, QR, or SmartShare
Track analytics and performance
Operate without a fixed booth

The photographer manages everything from one device.

How Roaming Photography Mode Works

1. Photographer chooses experience	Select template, background, AI FX, or layout once.
2. Capture begins immediately	DSLR/mirrorless camera fires via the connected iOS device.
3. Optional guest preview	Guests can approve or request retakes.
4. Sharing screen (optional)	Guests share their photo OR photographer taps Done.
5. Automatic return to camera	Ready for the next capture instantly.
6. End session to change experience	Photographer exits to choose a new template/effect.

How to Set Up Roaming Photography Mode

Enable Roaming Mode

Open your event in the Snappic Dashboard
Scroll to Event Options → Roaming Tab
Enable Roaming Mode

Once enabled, three configuration sections appear:

Session Capture & Review Settings
Roaming Mode Settings
Image Review & Sharing

Session Capture & Review Settings

Setting	Description	Example
Show Recent Sessions on Capture Screen	Display a live gallery bar during capture to showcase recent sessions. The gallery can be expanded or minimized using the arrow button. Tap on an item in the gallery to share it, or expand the gallery to select and share multiple sessions at once.
Show Preview for Guest Approval	Allow guests to preview the final output and retake one or more images if they are not happy, or approve the image if they are.

Roaming Mode Settings

Setting	Description
Disable Filters in Roaming Mode	Disables the filters in Roaming Mode, but keeps them enabled in Photo Booth Mode
Disable Camera Countdown	Allows for instant, continuous capture — ideal for candid shots.
Allow Excess Media Capture	Allows extra photos to be taken beyond the template’s frame count.
Show Captured Media Previews	Displays thumbnails of previously captured images. ⚠️ Note: Media previews cannot be disabled when Excess Media Capture is active.

Image Review & Sharing

Setting	Description
Show Image Review/Sharing Page	Controls whether the sharing screen appears after each capture. Disabling this option allows you to continue capturing seamlessly. Once you click "Done," the system returns to the live view, enabling you to start a new session.💡To Note: Even if the review screen is disabled, guests can still share directly from the gallery.

Step 2: Sync and Start Capturing

Save your changes
Sync the event to the iPhone/iPad
Connect DSLR/mirrorless via cable
Tap Start Roaming Mode

Roaming Mode vs Photo Booth Mode

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Roaming Mode	Photo Booth Mode
Session initiated by	Photographer	Guest or Attendant
Device Setup	Mobile (iPad or iPhone with DSLR connected)	Fixed booth
Experience selection	Once per roaming session	Before each session
Sharing	Optional per capture	Standard
Countdown	Disabled by default. Can be toggled on in settings.	Enabled by default, and can be manually changed per template
Best for	Candid roaming photography (Weddings, roaming photographers, floor coverage, large events, festivals)	Structured booth experiences (Photo Booth Stations and activations at events).

Photo Booth Mode flow:

1️⃣ Guests select their experience on the experience page, choose their template, background, and AI FX before starting the photo session.

2️⃣ A photo/GIF/video is taken, and then goes to the sharing page.

3️⃣ Once shared, the app goes back to the experience page for guests to start the process again.

Roaming Mode Flow:

1️⃣ The photographer selects the experience on the experience page, chooses the template, background, and AI FX before starting the photo session.

2️⃣ The photographer will then be able to take several photos of the guests continuously (if excess media is enabled), while remaining on the photo capture screen.

3️⃣ The photographer or guest can choose the media they are happy with, and select "next" to enter the sharing screen (if sharing is enabled). Guests can share their image to themselves.

3️⃣ The app then goes back to the camera capture screen so the photographer can continue to take photos. The photographer needs to click exit in if they want to go back to the change the selected experience or other selections.

Key Differences (At a Glance)

✅ Continuous Capture

Capture multiple images seamlessly without resetting the booth flow.

✅ Experience Selection Happens Once

Templates/effects stay active until manually changed.

✅ Survey & Age Gate After Capture

Ensures smoother roaming workflow.

✅ QR Interaction Behaviour Adjusted

The app returns to camera mode after QR redemptions to prevent guest data overlap.

Usage Tips

✅ Use an iPhone mount or wrist strap for comfortable mobility.

✅ Use an adapter to mount the iPhone to your DSLR for comfortable mobility.

✅ Use AI-FX to elevate event output

✅ Pair with SmartShare for instant sharing without handing over the device

✅ Set up a high resolution template if shooting with a DSLR for optimal quality

FAQs

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Can I use Roaming Photography Mode and Photo Booth Mode at the same event?

Yes. Both modes operate independently. You can enable one or both under Event Options. Many operators use a fixed booth + roaming photographer for hybrid coverage. You will need to purchase an additional device licence for this.

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Which devices support Roaming Photography Mode?

Roaming Mode works on iPhones and iPads running iOS. Android is not supported.

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Do I need a DSLR or mirrorless camera?

Roaming Mode works best when you connect a DSLR or mirrorless camera via cable. However, you can still capture using the iOS device camera if needed.

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Why is the Roaming Mode option greyed out?

Your plan may not include Roaming Photography Mode.

It is available on:

• Business

• Premium

• Scale

• Roaming Photography Pro

• Roaming Photography Agency

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Can guests share their photos without me handing them the device?

Yes. Enable SmartShare so guests enter their details once and receive all their roaming captures automatically.

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Can I switch templates or AI FX mid-event?

Yes, but you’ll need to exit the current roaming session. Roaming Mode keeps the same template/effect active until you manually change it.

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Does Roaming Mode support AI Effects, templates, and digital props?

Yes — Roaming Photography Mode supports most Snappic features including:

• Templates

• AI FX

• Digital Props

• Backgrounds

• Filters

• Sharing options

(Some features may differ from Photo Booth Mode based on workflow.)

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Where do surveys appear in Roaming Mode?

Surveys appear after capture, not before, to ensure a smoother roaming workflow.

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How does Age Gate work in Roaming Mode?

The Age Gate appears after the image is captured rather than at the start of the experience.

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Can I capture more photos than my template’s frame count?

Yes. Enable Allow Excess Media Capture to overshoot and later choose which images to place in the template.

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Does the sharing page appear after every shot?

Only if you enable Show Image Review/Sharing Page.

If you disable it, you can go straight back to capturing and share from the gallery later.

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Can I review and retake photos?

Yes. Enable Show Preview for Guest Approval to allow retakes or approval on the spot.

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Can I capture continuously without interruptions?

Yes. Continuous capture is one of the core benefits of Roaming Mode.

After sharing or saving, the app automatically returns to camera view.

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Where do captured images appear?

You’ll see them in:

• The recent sessions Gallery at the bottom of the capture screen

• The full gallery view

• The Snappic Dashboard for analytics and downloads

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Can I still use filters in Roaming Mode?

Yes — unless you toggle Disable Filters in Roaming Mode, which allows you to keep filters on your booth but disable them for roaming photography.

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Does Roaming Mode work offline?

Yes — capturing works offline because images are stored locally.

However, sharing and SmartShare require internet access. I you don't have internet during the event, the images will be queued and upload later when after regaining connection.

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Does the DSLR need Wi-Fi?

No. The DSLR connects via cable to the iOS device.

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What happens if I disconnect the cable?

The app will automatically switch to the iOS device camera until you reconnect.