What Is a Live Photo Wall, Really?
A Simple Guide for Weddings and Events
If you have ever hosted an event, you know the photos are all over the place.
Some are in WhatsApp chats. Some are on Instagram. Some are trapped in someone’s phone forever.
A live photo wall fixes that.
This guide explains in simple language what a live photo wall is, how HeyGrats works, and why it is different from using WhatsApp groups, Google Drive links or Instagram hashtags.
So… what is a live photo wall?
A live photo wall is a shared online space that behaves like a playful, digital stage for your guests.
HeyGrats is built around three simple priorities:
- Give guests something fun to do together during the event
- Let everyone share what they see in the moment
- Keep those photos in one place so you can revisit them later
Everyone at your event can:
- Scan a QR code
- Snap photos and videos on their phone
- Upload them instantly
- Watch them appear live on the big screen and inside a simple gallery
No app to install. No login for guests. Just scan, snap and share.
For guests, it feels like:
“We are part of the show, not just watching it.”
For hosts, it feels like:
“The room has more energy, and all the photos from everyone are finally in one place.”
HeyGrats is this live photo wall for your weddings, parties, conferences and company events. The name "HeyGrats" comes from combining "Hey" and "Congrats" – a friendly hello meeting a moment of celebration.
How HeyGrats works in plain language
Here is the typical flow for a wedding or event:
- Create an event page You set up your event on HeyGrats. The system generates a unique link and QR code.
- Show the QR code to your guests Put it on your entrance backdrop, tables, slides or LED screen.
- Guests scan and upload Guests scan the code with their camera, open the event page in their browser, and start uploading photos and short videos.
- Photos appear live The uploads show up instantly on your live wall view (for projector, TV or LED), and in the event gallery.
- After the event, you keep everything You can download all the photos in bulk, or keep them inside HeyGrats as a digital album.
Everything happens inside the browser. No app download, no complicated steps.
Why not just use WhatsApp, Google Drive or Instagram?
You might be thinking:
“We already have a WhatsApp group / Drive link / event hashtag. Is that not enough?”
These tools are great for sharing photos.
HeyGrats is designed for live interaction in the room.
During an event, the main question is not “Where do we store the photos?” but:
“How do we get guests to actually do something fun with the couple and with each other right now?”
This is where the difference shows up.
WhatsApp Groups
What they are good at:
- Sending photos after the event
- Sharing selected photos with closer circles
Where they struggle for interaction:
- Photos get buried under chat messages
- Guests are looking down at their phones, not up at the screen or the couple
- There is no shared “moment” when everyone reacts together
Google Drive / Shared Folders
What they are good at:
- Storing high quality files
- Collecting official photos from photographers
Where they struggle for interaction:
- Almost nobody uploads in real time
- Uploading feels like a chore, not a game
- There is nothing happening live in the room
Instagram Hashtags
What they are good at:
- Public sharing and social visibility
- Letting guests show off selected photos
Where they struggle for interaction:
- Not everyone wants to post publicly
- Posts are spread out over days or weeks
- You do not get that “everyone in the room sees this now” effect
Live Photo Wall with HeyGrats
What it is built for first:
- Creating an in-room moment, like a mini "kiss cam" segment
- Encouraging guests to scan, snap and laugh together
- Turning guest photos into part of the program, not just an afterthought
Think of it as your own event version of a "kiss cam" from a basketball game, but you decide the prompt: wave at the couple, show your table group, pose with the backdrop and so on.
And as a bonus, you also get:
- All guest photos in one place
- A simple post-event gallery you can share later
So tools like WhatsApp, Drive or Instagram are still useful, but they are better as supporting channels.
HeyGrats is the stage where those moments are created live.
Ideas for using a live photo wall at weddings
Here are some simple ways to make it part of your program instead of “just another link”:
- Welcome wall at registration As guests arrive, show the live wall on a screen. Ask them to scan the QR and take a “We are here” photo.
- Photo mission cards on tables Print small cards: “Take a photo with the couple”, “Take a photo with someone you just met”, “Capture your favourite dish”. Guests upload to HeyGrats.
- Best moment of the night Before cake cutting or bouquet toss, invite guests to upload their best moment so far. Show them live.
- Thank-you post after the wedding After the event, share the HeyGrats gallery link with a short thank-you message. Guests can re-live the night, and you have everything in one place.
Ideas for conferences and corporate events
For more formal events, a live photo wall keeps things human and lively:
- Conference days: Participants share photos of sessions, booths and networking moments.
- Company dinners: Teams upload group shots, award moments and fun activities.
- Product launches: Guests capture the launch moment, demo area, and brand visuals.
You can also combine HeyGrats with a simple contest:
- “Most creative team photo”
- “Best photo with the event backdrop”
- “Most energetic selfie during opening speech”
Winners can be chosen live using the photos on the wall.
Post-event gallery and sharing
Beyond the live screen moment, HeyGrats gives you a simple way to share everything that was captured.
When the event is over, you can:
- Keep all photos inside a post-event gallery
- Share the gallery link with your guests after the event
- Download everything if you want your own backup
Anyone with the gallery link can view the photos, so it works well as a simple, no-login album you can drop into your thank-you message, group chat or email.
You decide how widely you want to share that link. Some hosts keep it just for close friends and family, others share it with all guests so everyone can relive the night.
Why HeyGrats exists
The heart behind HeyGrats is simple:
Make it easy for people to connect with each other while they are together, and then remember it later.
Instead of guests quietly scrolling their own feeds, a live photo wall:
- Gives them a reason to interact with the couple, hosts and other guests
- Turns small “empty” pockets of your program into fun shared moments
- Collects everyone’s perspective, not just the official photographer
After that, the post-event gallery keeps those moments in one place so you can revisit the night any time.
Whether it is a wedding, a birthday, a church camp, a company dinner or a conference, HeyGrats helps you:
Scan. Snap. Laugh. Remember.
That is what a live photo wall really is: an interaction engine first, a memory box second.