> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helping.alive-pic.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Configuring Countdown Timers

Timing is everything — especially in a photo booth. Too fast and guests look like deer in headlights. Too slow and the line starts to back up. ALIVE lets you dial in the perfect pace.

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## Two Countdown Timers

ALIVE has two separate countdown settings that control the capture flow:

### Time Before First Photo

This is the countdown before the **first photo** is taken. It gives guests time to get ready, strike a pose, and settle in.

* **Default:** 2 seconds
* **Where:** Settings → Capture, or web dashboard Remote Setup → Camera

### Time Between Photos

This is the countdown between each subsequent photo in a multi-photo session. It gives guests time to change poses, swap props, or bring in more friends before the next shot.

* **Default:** 3 seconds
* **Where:** Settings → Capture, or web dashboard Remote Setup → Camera

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## How They Work Together

In a 4-photo session, the timing works like this:

1. Guest taps Start (or auto-starts)
2. **Time Before First Photo** countdown (default 2 sec)
3. Photo 1 captured
4. **Time Between Photos** countdown (default 3 sec)
5. Photo 2 captured
6. **Time Between Photos** countdown (default 3 sec)
7. Photo 3 captured
8. **Time Between Photos** countdown (default 3 sec)
9. Photo 4 captured

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## Recommended Settings

| Event Type | First Photo | Between Photos |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weddings | 3 seconds | 3–4 seconds |
| Corporate events | 2 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Kids' parties | 3 seconds | 4 seconds |
| High-traffic events | 2 seconds | 2 seconds |

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## Tips

* **Faster isn't always better** — If you set timers too low, guests won't have time to get ready and you'll end up with blurry or awkward shots
* **Watch the line** — If the queue is long, consider shortening timers by a second to speed up throughput
* **Kids need more time** — They take a beat longer to understand what's happening. Give them an extra second
* **Use the web dashboard** — You can adjust both timers remotely via the Remote Setup tab without being at the booth

| The countdown is displayed on screen as a visual timer, so guests always know when the next photo is coming. No surprises.