Green Screen vs AI Background Removal: What’s Best for Photo Booths Today?

Do You Still Need a Green Screen for Photo Booths?

Not Anymore — Here’s Why

For years, green screens were the go-to solution for photo booths that needed custom backgrounds. If you wanted guests “on the beach,” “in space,” or in front of a branded graphic — green screen was the answer.

But photo booths (and technology) have come a long way.

Today, we often don’t need a green screen at all, thanks to AI-powered background removal. And in many cases, it actually creates a better experience.

Let’s break it down.

The Traditional Green Screen Approach

A green screen works by placing guests in front of a bright green backdrop. Software then removes the green colour and replaces it with a digital image.

It’s a method that works — but only when everything is just right.

👍 The Upside

  • Well-known, established technology
  • Can produce clean results in controlled environments
  • Great for very specific, technical background effects

👎 The Downsides

  • Needs very even lighting
  • Wrinkles, shadows, or fabric folds can cause glitches
  • Guests wearing green may partially disappear
  • Takes up more physical space
  • Requires extra setup and fine-tuning

At busy events or venues with tricky lighting, green screens can become more hassle than help.

The Modern Solution: AI Background Removal

Instead of removing a colour, AI background removal identifies people directly and separates them from the background — no green screen required.

That means guests can stand in front of a nice-looking real backdrop, while their photos are still digitally transformed behind the scenes.

Why We Love It

  • No green screen needed
  • Works beautifully with elegant backdrops (black drape, themed décor, branded walls)
  • Faster setup and smoother guest flow
  • No clothing colour issues
  • Cleaner, more polished on-site appearance
  • Excellent results for prints and digital sharing

A Few Things to Know

  • Like all photo tech, good lighting helps
  • Extremely busy backgrounds can reduce accuracy
  • For ultra-specific cinematic effects, green screens still have their place

For most events, AI background removal delivers consistent, high-quality results with far less complexity.

So… Do Green Screens Still Exist?

Yes — and we still offer them when they’re the best tool for the job.

But for the majority of events today, AI background removal is our preferred option because it:

  • Looks better in the room
  • Moves guests through faster
  • Reduces technical risks
  • Keeps the setup clean and modern

In short: fewer things to go wrong, better photos overall.

What This Means for Your Event

You don’t have to choose between:

  • A good-looking booth or
  • Custom backgrounds
  • With AI background removal, you get both.

Your guests enjoy a stylish photo booth setup, while your prints and digital images still feature custom, branded, or themed backgrounds.

Still Not Sure Which Option Is Right?

That’s where we come in.

Every event is different, and we’ll always recommend the solution that best fits:

  • Your venue
  • Your lighting
  • Your branding
  • Your guest experience

Whether that’s AI background removal, a traditional green screen, or something custom — we’ve got you covered.