My idea started out as a wearable monster perched on my shoulder with its jaws around my head. Fun costume to act out, right? But as I thought about it I realized every costumelooks more dramatic next to a terrifying monster and other people would enjoy having their pictures taken with an attacking beast. Also, I had recently watched this video by Tested where Frank Ippolito and his team created the life-size 3D head and front legs of a dragon that merged into a 2D backdrop with space to pose for pictures in between. That's when I realized a photo booth was the perfect solution! I got to work planning, sculpting, 3D printing and painting. The idea came to life at a massive scale, so I hope you enjoy the tutorial and get inspired to make a giant monster photo booth wall!

The fell steed of the Nazgul (Lord of the Rings) was my inspiration for the details of the monster but you could easily tweak the design to make it a dragon or other such reptilian beast if that better fits with your party's decor. The size and positioning of the beast provides your fancy garbed guests with options - pose as if moments from being devoured or as if trying to escape the gaping jaws. Stand alone for a portrait while fighting the toothy creature or crowd in for a tasty monster buffet group shot.

Most of the supplies you will need are readily available online or at your local home improvement store. I've provided the file for the model I made of the head, so you can save time there if you have a 3D printer. If you don't have 3D printing access, you can still make this project by modeling the head using the same materials and technique as the body. Just add some pumpkin teeth or make them from clay.

This is a large project that will take several weekends to put together, but imagine how many people will get to enjoy the photo booth once it's done! It's the ultimate shareable prop and totally worth the time invested :)

Supplies you will need for this project:

General

Large work area with good ventilation

Respirator

Heat gun

Pipe cutter

Craft knife

Scissors

Low temp hot glue gun and lots of glue sticks

Spray adhesive

14 gauge wire

Rust-oleum spray paints: flat black, dark gray, satin granite, camouflage sand, satin classic navy, flat red primer, dark gray automotive primer, satin stone gray, camouflage earth brown, camouflage army green, matte french cream, metallic silver

Cable ties

Gorilla tape

Head

3D printer and filament

Soldering iron and solder

Glue for your choice of filament

3D pen or other gap filler

White and red LED strips

Electrical wire and connections

Power supply adapter

Filler primer

Mineral spirits

Clear caulking

Blue watercolor paint

Small flat brush

Pallet knife

2 each screws, nuts and washers

Sugru

Plastic welder or old soldering iron

Scrap filament

Heat proof gloves

1" PVC pipe

8" x 10 ft. Aluminum Flex Pipe

Large bubble wrap

Packing foam roll

Torso

8 mm corrugated plastic

Plastic poultry netting

Expanding foam

Aluminum Screen

Packing foam roll

1/2" PVC pipe and connectors

Wing

Foam floor mat

3/8" by 1/2" by 6 ft. Tube Pipe Insulation - QTY: 4

3/8" by 3/4" by 6 ft. Tube Pipe Insulation

3/8" by 1" by 6 ft. Tube Pipe Insulation

Paint stir sticks

Thin plastic drop cloth

Wood burner

4 mil plastic sheeting

1/2" PVC pipe and connectors

Selfie stick with camera bracket

Backdrop