Quick Start: Your First Event in 10 Minutes
This guide walks you through creating and running your first photo booth event from start to finish using FMX for Windows or FMX for iPad. Each step is kept brief — follow the links for detailed documentation on any topic.
Note: This quick start is written for FMX users. If you are using a different Foto Master product — such as Selfie Wi-Fi, AI Hot Folder, Draw Me Bot, or PMWall — refer to the dedicated getting-started guide in that product's section instead.
By the end of this guide, you will have a live event running with photos appearing in your online gallery.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A Foto Master Cloud account (create one here if you have not already)
- A device with FMX installed (Windows PC or iPad)
- A camera connected to your device
- An internet connection on both your computer and your booth device
Step 1: Log in to Foto Master Cloud
Open your browser and go to cloud.fotomaster.com. Sign in with your email and password.
You will land on the dashboard, where you can see your events, devices, and recent activity.
Step 2: Create an Event
- Click Create Event from the dashboard or navigate to the Events section
- Enter the basic event details:
- Event name -- Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Smith Wedding" or "Corporate Holiday Party")
- Event date -- The date the event will take place
- Duration -- How long the event will run
- Save the event
Your event is now created and ready to be configured.
Tip: You can create Events days or weeks in advance. The event will be available to sync to your device whenever you are ready.
Step 3: Select or Create a Preset
A preset is a saved combination of a workflow and a layout. It defines both what the guest experience looks like (the workflow) and how the final photo is designed (the layout).
- In your event settings, go to the Preset section
- Choose from your existing presets, or create a new one:
- Workflow -- Select a workflow that defines the booth sequence (e.g., tap to start, countdown, capture, review, share)
- Layout -- Select a layout that defines the final photo design (e.g., a 4x6 strip with your client's logo)
- Assign the preset to your event
If this is your first time, Foto Master provides default presets you can use right away without any customization.
Step 4: Open FMX on Your Device
- On your photo booth device, launch FMX for Windows or FMX for iPad
- Log in with your Foto Master Cloud email and password
- FMX will connect to the cloud and register your device if it has not been linked already
Once logged in, FMX will show you the list of events available on your account.
Tip: Make sure your device has a stable internet connection. FMX needs to sync event data from the cloud before it can run.
Step 5: Sync the Event
- In FMX, find your event in the event list
- Select the event by tapping or clicking on it
- Press Sync to download the event configuration, workflow, layout, and any associated assets (overlays, backgrounds, etc.)
- Once the sync is complete, press Play to start the event
The booth is now live and ready for guests.
Tip: Always sync your event before going live, even if you synced it earlier. This ensures you have the latest version of all settings and assets.
Step 6: Run the Experience
With the event playing, the booth is ready for guests:
- Guests approach the booth and interact with the selection screen (if configured)
- They follow the on-screen prompts defined by your workflow (e.g., choose a filter, strike a pose, countdown, capture)
- The booth captures their photo or video
- The final photo is processed with your layout and any overlays
- Guests can share their photo via email, SMS, or print (depending on your configuration)
Each complete guest interaction is called a session. You can monitor local session progress in FMX, while the Cloud dashboard shows uploaded media, sharing, gallery, AI, survey, and print activity.
Step 7: Check Your Online Gallery
If you are on the Basic or Pro plan, an online gallery is automatically created for your event:
- Go back to cloud.fotomaster.com
- Navigate to Events → {Your Event} → Gallery
- View all photos from the event as they come in
- Share the gallery link with your client or guests
Guests can view, download, and share their photos directly from the gallery page.
Tip: On the Pro plan, you can use a custom domain for your gallery links, giving your clients a fully branded experience.
What to Explore Next
Now that you have run your first event, here are some ways to take your setup further:
- Choosing Your Cloud Plan -- Make sure you are on the right plan for your volume
- Cloud Dashboard Overview -- Master event management, galleries, and more
- FMX for Windows -- Customize workflows, layouts, and booth behavior on Windows
- FMX for iPad -- Customize workflows, layouts, and booth behavior on iPad
- Glossary -- Learn the key terms used across the platform
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