Hosts Manual
Last update: Jan 5, 2026
Introduction & Benefits
Welcome to Pinapose — the smart, affordable, and fun way to create a collaborative photo album for your event with the help of your guests.
What is Pinapose?
Pinapose is a virtual photo booth service that transforms any event into an interactive photo-sharing experience. Your guests scan a QR code with their smartphones, capture moments, and upload them to your event album. These photos appear on a video wall in near real-time, creating an engaging atmosphere while building a beautiful collection of memories.
Benefits for Hosts
- Collaborative Memories — Your guests become the photographers, capturing candid moments from every angle
- Real-Time Display — Photos appear on your video wall within seconds, keeping guests engaged
- Complete Album — Download all photos after your event for a comprehensive keepsake
- Content Control — Optional moderation ensures only approved content reaches the video wall
- No App Installation — Guests simply scan a QR code; no downloads required
Perfect For
- Social Events — Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers
- Corporate Events — Conferences, team buildings, product launches, holiday parties
- Academic Events — Graduations, school fairs, alumni reunions
- Community Events — Festivals, fundraisers, community gatherings
Platform Components
Pinapose consists of two main components that work together seamlessly:
Pinapose Dashboard
The Dashboard is your control center for managing events. Access it through any web browser at pinapose.com/events.
With the Dashboard, you can:
- Create and configure events
- Set up moderation preferences
- Add team members and moderators
- Download QR codes for printing
- View the live carousel on your video wall
- Access and download your complete photo album
- Manage billing and event lifecycle
Pinapose App (PWA)
The App is a progressive web application that guests access by scanning your event's QR code. No installation required — it opens directly in their mobile browser.
Guests can:
- Take photos using their phone camera
- Upload existing photos from their gallery
- Add short dedications to their uploads
- View approved photos (in moderated events)
Moderators can:
- Review pending uploads
- Approve or reject content before it appears on the video wall
Requirements
To run Pinapose at your venue, you'll need:
Essential Equipment
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Laptop | Any modern laptop with a web browser and reliable internet connection |
| Display | A projector, TV, or monitor to show the photo carousel to guests |
| Connection | HDMI cable or wireless display adapter to connect laptop to display |
| Power | Power outlet for laptop (keep it plugged in throughout the event) |
Network Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Internet | Stable connection for the laptop running the carousel |
| Guest Access | Guests need internet access (venue WiFi or mobile data) to upload photos |
Pinapose Timeline
Before the Event
- 1Sign In to Pinapose Dashboard
Go to pinapose.com/events/signin and sign in with your Google account or email. If you're new, you'll complete a quick profile setup.
- Create Your Pinapose Booth
Click "Create Pinapose Booth" and fill in your event details: name, date, expected guest count, and whether you want content moderation enabled. Note: The moderation setting cannot be changed after your event starts.
2Create Your Pinapose BoothClick "Create Pinapose Booth" and fill in your event details: name, date, expected guest count, and whether you want content moderation enabled. Note: The moderation setting cannot be changed after your event starts.
- 3Add Moderators (If Moderated)
If you enabled moderation, add at least one moderator using the Moderators tab. Moderators can review and approve/reject photos before they appear on the video wall. You can add yourself or trusted team members.
- Customize Your Branding (Optional)
Personalize the guest experience to match your event's style. From your event page, click "Branding" to access the Pinapose Studio where you can: select a pre-built color theme or create your own palette, upload a custom logo or icon, and edit the welcome messages and instructions guests see. Changes preview in real-time on a phone mockup. This step is optional — the default design looks great out of the box.
4Customize Your Branding (Optional)Personalize the guest experience to match your event's style. From your event page, click "Branding" to access the Pinapose Studio where you can: select a pre-built color theme or create your own palette, upload a custom logo or icon, and edit the welcome messages and instructions guests see. Changes preview in real-time on a phone mockup. This step is optional — the default design looks great out of the box.
- 5Download & Print Your QR Code
Download the QR code from your event page and print it. Place copies at visible locations throughout your venue: entrance, tables, walls, near the video wall. Consider creating a custom poster that invites guests to "Share your photos on the video wall!"
Event Day
- 6Set Up Your Video Wall
Connect your laptop to the display (projector, TV, or monitor) in a central, visible location. Ensure the laptop has a stable internet connection and is plugged into power.
- Start the Carousel
Sign in to the Dashboard on your laptop, navigate to your event, and click "Start LIVE feed". The carousel will begin displaying photos automatically as they're uploaded (and approved, if moderated).
7Start the CarouselSign in to the Dashboard on your laptop, navigate to your event, and click "Start LIVE feed". The carousel will begin displaying photos automatically as they're uploaded (and approved, if moderated).
- 8Guests Scan & Join
Guests scan the QR code with their phone camera (or any QR scanner app). The Pinapose App opens in their browser — no download needed. They enter a nickname to identify their uploads.
- Guests Capture & Upload
Guests can take photos directly in the app or upload existing photos and short videos (up to 15 seconds) from their gallery. They can optionally add a short dedication message to accompany their upload.
9Guests Capture & UploadGuests can take photos directly in the app or upload existing photos and short videos (up to 15 seconds) from their gallery. They can optionally add a short dedication message to accompany their upload.
- 10Photos Appear on Video Wall
Non-moderated events: Photos and videos appear on the video wall within seconds. Moderated events: Uploads go to the moderation queue. Moderators swipe left to approve or right to reject. Only approved content appears on the video wall.
- Track Engagement in Real Time
From the Dashboard, monitor your event's live stats: see how many guests have joined, photos uploaded, and engagement trends. You can also browse uploaded content as it comes in.
11Track Engagement in Real TimeFrom the Dashboard, monitor your event's live stats: see how many guests have joined, photos uploaded, and engagement trends. You can also browse uploaded content as it comes in.
After the Event
- 12View Your Complete Album
Sign in to the Dashboard and click "View Album" on your event page. Browse through all the photos your guests captured during the event.
- Download Your Album
Click "Download Album" to get all photos as a compressed ZIP file. Save them to your computer, external drive, or cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) for safekeeping.
13Download Your AlbumClick "Download Album" to get all photos as a compressed ZIP file. Save them to your computer, external drive, or cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) for safekeeping.
- 14Archive Your Event
After downloading, click "Archive" to permanently delete all photos from Pinapose servers. This action is irreversible — make sure you've saved your album first!
Frequently Asked Questions
Pinapose offers a free tier for small events (up to 5 guests). For larger events, pricing is based on the number of guests. Visit our Pricing page for current rates.
Events with up to 5 guests are free. For larger events, you pay per guest (first 5 guests are always free). Here's how payment works:
- Create your Pinapose booth and enter your expected guest count
- Set up your billing information in your account settings
- Click "Proceed to payment" on your event page
- Complete payment securely via Stripe (Visa, Mastercard accepted)
- Receive a receipt or invoice via email
You can add more guests later if needed — you'll only pay for the additional guests at the current rate.
If your payment fails, your event will remain in "Unverified" status. Don't worry — you can retry the payment at any time from your event page. Common reasons for failed payments include:
- Insufficient funds on your card
- Card declined by your bank
- Incorrect card details
- Expired card
Simply update your payment method or try a different card, then click "Retry Payment". Your event details and settings will be preserved.
Yes! You can increase your guest count at any time, even during the event. Simply modify your event page by adding more guests and proceed to checkout. You'll only be charged for the additional guests at the current rate — no need to pay again for guests you've already covered.
Your Pinapose booth progresses through these statuses:
- Unverified Payment required before the event can go live with full guest count
- Upcoming Event is paid and scheduled, waiting for start time
- Live Event is currently running, guests can upload photos
- Completed Event has ended, photos are available in the album
- Ready for Download Album has been bundled and is ready to download
- Ready for Archiving Album downloaded, you can now archive the event
- Archived Event archived, all media permanently deleted from servers
When moderation is enabled, uploaded photos go to a review queue instead of appearing directly on the video wall. Moderators (people you've designated) access the moderation screen on their phones and swipe to approve or reject each photo. Only approved photos appear on the video wall.
It depends on the change. You can't change the moderation setting (moderated vs. non-moderated) once your event begins, but you can add or remove moderators at any time. Choose your moderation setting carefully during event creation.
No! Pinapose is a Progressive Web App (PWA). Guests simply scan your QR code and the photo booth opens directly in their phone's web browser. No download or installation required.
Guests scan the QR code you've printed and placed around your venue. This opens the Pinapose App in their browser. They enter a nickname and can immediately start taking and uploading photos.
Your laptop displaying the carousel needs a stable internet connection. Guests can use either venue WiFi or their mobile data to upload photos. If WiFi is unreliable, ensure guests know they can use their mobile data.
Ready to Get Started?
Create your first Pinapose booth and start capturing memories at your next event!
Questions? Contact us at support@context51.ai