In this guide
Start with what you want guests to enjoy.
There’s a good reason to choose each option. Think about the experience you want to add to the evening.
Robot portraits: for a drawing people can gather around.
Guests watch a robot turn their photo into a pen portrait, then take the drawing home. The moving pen is part of the entertainment. See the experience →
A caricature artist: for the personality of a live artist.
The drawing and the interaction happen together. Choose an artist whose style and approach suit your guests. Consider an artist →
A photo booth: for friends posing and sharing photos.
Guests step in together for a picture. Prints, digital sharing and props vary by package, so check what’s included. Consider a booth →
This guide is written by Robo Portraits. We provide robot drawing stations in Winnipeg and most of Manitoba; the notes on artists and booths are general guidance, with details to confirm with each provider.
Same party. Different experiences.
Here’s what changes for your guests and for you as the organizer.
| What matters | Robot portraits | Caricature artist | Photo booth |
|---|---|---|---|
| What guests do | Take a photo, choose a style and watch a robot draw. | Sit for a drawing and interact with the artist. | Pose alone or with friends, often using props. |
| What they keep | A portrait drawn in pen on card. | A hand-drawn portrait in the artist’s own style. | Photo prints, digital pictures or both, depending on the package. |
| What others can watch | The robot’s pen building the portrait line by line. | The artist working and the drawing taking shape. | Guests posing and seeing their pictures; the setup shapes the experience. |
| Friends together | Group portraits are available. Ask how they affect drawing time. | Couples or groups may be available; ask the artist. | Many setups accommodate several people in the same picture. |
| Capacity planning | About 45 / 90 / 130 portraits in 2 hours with 1 / 2 / 3 robots. Planning estimates. | Ask for hourly capacity in your chosen style and group format. | Ask about session pace, guest changeovers and print or sharing time. |
| Space & staffing | We bring a 6-foot table and an attendant. A nearby outlet and guest space are needed. | Ask about seating, lighting and the artist’s working space. | Confirm the booth or backdrop footprint, power and attendant cover. |
A photo starts it. A pen brings it to life.
Our attendant helps a guest take a quick photo at the tablet and choose a portrait style. A physical robot then draws the portrait with a pen on 6 × 4 inch card.
Guests can watch their own drawing or stop by to see someone else’s. It works as a drop-in activity while people mingle, with no stage or group performance. See the full process →
Why choose it?
The robot gives people something unusual to watch together, and every guest drawn during the booked time receives a portrait to keep. Guests can choose realistic or caricature styles, with simple and detailed versions.
What should you plan for?
Drawing capacity is finite. Simple portraits take about 1.5 minutes and detailed portraits about 2.5 minutes, including the photo. Use the capacity estimates above to plan for changeovers and a mix of styles.
We run the station and bring the robots, table and our own internet hotspot. You provide a standard outlet and room for guests to gather.
A drawing with someone’s personality behind it.
A caricature artist brings their own style, humour and way of interacting with guests. For a team that enjoys sitting down and talking with the person drawing them, that can be a large part of the appeal.
Look through the artist’s event portfolio. A gentle likeness and an exaggerated caricature can feel quite different; choose the approach your guests will be comfortable with.
Before booking, ask: how many people can be drawn per hour, whether couples or groups are possible, what seating or lighting is needed, and whether extra artists are available.
A reason for friends to step into the frame.
A photo booth is a good fit when you want colleagues, friends or families to get pictures together. It’s familiar, and guests can often make a quick visit between other parts of the evening.
Booth setups vary. An open backdrop, enclosed booth and digital-only station need different amounts of space and offer different takeaways. Choose the setup that suits your room and what you want guests to keep.
Before booking, ask: how many people fit in a photo, whether prints and sharing are included, whether someone runs the booth, and how setup and pack-down fit your venue schedule.
Choose for your guests. Then check the practical fit.
You know your group. A few questions will narrow the options more quickly than a list of features.
- What kind of moment do you want? A robot drawing in front of a small crowd, a conversation with an artist, or friends posing together? Start with the experience rather than the equipment.
- How many people will want a turn? Compare capacity over the time you can actually use. A 100-guest event doesn’t always need 100 portraits, but plan accordingly if you want everyone to have a turn.
- What should they take home? Look at real examples. Decide whether a pen portrait, an artist’s drawing or a photo is the keepsake that suits your celebration.
- What does the quote include? Compare staffing, active time, setup, take-home items, travel, date fees and taxes. Confirm space, power and access with your venue.
A starting point for robot portraits
Our 2-hour packages with 1 robot start at $649 for birthdays and small socials, $849 for weddings, wedding socials, grads and galas, and $1,049 for staff parties. Prices are in CAD, plus applicable taxes and fees.
Saturdays and November 15–December 31 carry a 15% peak-date fee. Other charges, including rush bookings, extra time and optional add-ons, are listed on the pricing page. Compare packages & fees.
You can combine them. A photo booth can handle group pictures while a robot or artist creates portraits. The two activities give guests different reasons to stop by during the evening.
A few common questions.
Is a robot portrait a printed photo?
The robot uses a photo as its starting point, then draws the portrait in pen on card. Guests can watch the pen making the drawing. You can see equipment footage and examples on our how it works page.
Can the robot draw couples or groups?
Yes. Group portraits are available, along with individual, full-body and pet options. Tell us what you’re planning so we can discuss portrait styles, drawing time and capacity. See sample portrait styles.
Is there a good option for quieter guests?
Both an artist and a robot give guests a drawing process to watch before choosing to take part. A booth lets friends pose together. Participation should be optional; choose the activity that fits the way your guests like to socialize.
Which option can serve the most guests?
Ask each provider for realistic event capacity. Photo sessions can be quick and may include several people, while drawing capacity depends on style, group format and staffing or robot count. Compare the number of guests served over your available time, rather than the fastest possible session.
What happens after I inquire about robot portraits?
Tell us your date, location and approximate guest count. We reply within one business day with availability, a suggested setup and a quote. Sending an inquiry doesn’t reserve the date or commit you to a booking. A 50% deposit secures the date when you’re ready.
Let’s find a setup that fits your guests.
Send us your date, location and approximate guest count. We’ll check availability and suggest the number of robots and drawing time for your event.
Check your event date. A reply within one business day. No booking commitment when you inquire. Prefer to talk? 204-819-7708
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