REVIEW · NEW YORK CITY
New York: Times Square Professional Photoshoot
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Smiler · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A great Times Square photo should feel natural, not awkward. This private shoot pairs you with a local photographer who knows the best angles around Times Square and gives clear posing guidance so you don’t waste time on bad selfies. You’ll get edited digital photos fast, but note that extra or upgraded images can cost more depending on what you choose.
I like that the session is designed for real people, not models. Whether you’re solo or with friends and family, you get direction that makes standing, turning, and even smiling feel simple. And with edited photos delivered within 48 hours in a secure gallery, the payoff is quick.
One thing to keep in mind: if you want more images than the initial selection, you may need to purchase additional photos, and some higher-tier images may cost extra. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s smart to go in knowing you’ll likely want to review your options.
Private group time with a local pro
Best-times and best-spots advice for Times Square photos
Clear direction so posing feels easy
Edited digital photos in 48 hours via a secure gallery
Download to any device, then share fast
You can buy additional photos if you want more
In This Review
- Why a Times Square photoshoot beats the selfie scramble
- Meeting at 1501 Broadway and how the 1 to 2 hour timing works
- Times Square photo stop: getting flattering angles in a crowded scene
- Posing help that makes you look like yourself
- Choosing and reviewing your best edited photos in 48 hours
- Price and value: $324 per group up to 8
- Who this private shoot is best for
- Should you book this Times Square professional photoshoot?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for the photoshoot?
- How long does the Times Square photoshoot take?
- Who will contact me before the shoot?
- When will I receive my photos, and how do I get them?
- Is this a private group experience?
- Are photo prints included?
- If I’m late, does the session run longer?
- Can I cancel my booking?
Why a Times Square photoshoot beats the selfie scramble

Times Square can be loud, crowded, and weirdly hard to photograph well. The signs are bright, the angles are messy, and you end up spending your energy fighting for a clean shot instead of enjoying the place.
This format solves that problem. You’re not competing with everyone else for the same phone angle. You’re working with a professional who can look at you, read the scene, and guide you to positions that look good in real life. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds, because the best Times Square photos aren’t just about the landmark. They’re about how you show up in front of it.
I also like the speed of the outcome. You’re not waiting weeks for prints or hoping a friend took a decent photo on the run. You get edited digital photos within 48 hours, delivered to a secure personal online gallery. Then you can download on your phone, tablet, or laptop and share without hunting down files.
The value comes from the combo: human guidance during the shoot plus editing and delivery after. If you want a confident souvenir that looks intentional, this is the kind of experience that actually pays off.
Meeting at 1501 Broadway and how the 1 to 2 hour timing works

Your shoot starts at 1501 Broadway. There’s no hotel pickup built in, so you’ll want to plan your own walk/ride to the meeting spot. The session length is 1 to 2 hours, which is long enough for multiple looks and angles but short enough that you’re not stuck for an entire afternoon in one exact place.
Here’s what matters for planning your day:
- You’ll be confirmed for a specific date and time.
- If you’re late, the session can still end at the scheduled time because the photographer may have another booking right after.
- Your photographer reaches out one day before to coordinate, and you’ll want WhatsApp available for updates.
In other words: treat this like an appointment, not a casual meet-up. Show up on time, and you’ll get the relaxed flow that makes the posing feel natural.
Also, since it’s a private group setup, you’re not squeezed into a mass group pace. That helps if you’re traveling with kids, older relatives, or friends who just want the job done quickly and well.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New York City.
Times Square photo stop: getting flattering angles in a crowded scene

The main event is the Times Square photo stop. That sounds simple, but Times Square is tricky. Street-level photos can end up with distracting backgrounds, weird reflections, and you looking swallowed by the chaos.
A good local photographer fixes that by working the scene, not just your pose. You’ll be guided to spots where the landmark is recognizable without turning your photo into visual noise. And you’ll get direction on where to stand so your face and body show up clearly even with all the signage around.
Crowds are part of the deal in this area, so the goal is smart positioning. Instead of trying to hold a selfie pose while people walk into the frame, you shift with the photographer’s guidance. That’s why the shoot works even if you’re nervous.
Some people have specifically called out photographers like Moselle for knowing where the best spots are to capture strong photos in the middle of Times Square. Another photographer, Demari, has been praised for bringing lots of ideas—useful because it reduces the time you spend thinking and increases the time you spend being directed into great poses.
You don’t need to memorize anything. The value is that you’re not improvising in the moment.
Posing help that makes you look like yourself

If you don’t like cameras, this is where the experience earns its money.
The session is built around expert posing guidance, with the photographer customizing the flow to your preferences. That means you’re not stuck doing stiff, grin-only poses. The photographer is there to help you look comfortable and get results without turning your vacation into a performance.
A key detail: the photographer isn’t just counting on your expressions. They guide your body angles too—turning your shoulders, adjusting your stance, and keeping your hands and posture in a way that photographs well.
And you’ll likely feel the difference fast. People have said they were nervous about shooting in Times Square, then felt welcome and relaxed because the photographer knew how to handle the moment. That’s the real magic: when someone gives you clear instruction, posing stops feeling awkward and starts feeling doable.
If you’re traveling with friends or family, this also helps with group dynamics. You’re less likely to end up with a mix of blurred shots, forced smiles, and accidental half-turns where nobody lines up.
Choosing and reviewing your best edited photos in 48 hours

After the shoot, the process moves from street-level to editing and selection.
You’ll have photos edited and delivered within 48 hours through a secure personal gallery. That gallery is designed so you can view and download your edited, high-quality images directly to your device. Translation: you don’t have to wait for someone to email attachments or figure out file transfers.
You’ll also have input. The photographer will handpick the best shots based on the number of photos you picked. If you want more than you initially selected, you’ll have the option to purchase additional ones.
One practical heads-up: not every set of images may be priced the same. In one case, there was a mention that so-called premium images were paid extra, and the pricing wasn’t clear beforehand. So when you get your selection options, take a few minutes to understand what’s included and what would be an add-on. It’s the easiest way to avoid surprise costs.
Once you’ve downloaded your photos, you’ll likely do two things right away:
- Share quickly with people who couldn’t join you
- Save the best ones for future keepsakes and social posts
Because the photos are edited, they’re more likely to look consistent across your feeds and albums. Raw phone shots from Times Square can vary wildly. Edited results are the smooth, reliable souvenir.
Price and value: $324 per group up to 8

The price is $324 per group up to 8 people, for 1 to 2 hours. That price structure changes how you should think about value.
For a solo traveler, it can feel like a splurge. Times Square is packed with cheaper options—selfies, friends with cameras, or random strangers offering to shoot. But this isn’t competing on cost alone. It’s competing on time saved, guidance provided, and the guarantee that you’ll receive edited images on a tight turnaround.
For small groups, the math gets easier. If you’re traveling with friends, a couple, or a family unit, splitting the cost can make this feel more like a reasonable add-on to your NYC day. Plus, you’re paying for one professional to solve all the problems at once: posing, framing, and post-shoot editing.
You’re also paying for convenience:
- No need to ask strangers to take photos
- No need to rush through bad takes
- No waiting days for prints or a complicated download process
- Fast delivery with a secure gallery
The main value tradeoff is photo selection. You may start with a certain number of photos, then decide later you want more. That’s common. Just be prepared for the idea that additional images can cost extra—especially if there are upgraded or premium options.
Who this private shoot is best for
This works best when you want a clean, confident result and you don’t want to spend your trip time managing a camera.
I’d point you toward this if:
- You want a professional Times Square portrait that looks intentional, not random
- You feel awkward taking photos and want someone to tell you exactly what to do
- You’re traveling with more than one person and you want everyone in the frame
- You care about receiving edited images fast, not someday
- You’d rather pay for a guided session than troubleshoot photo settings in the middle of the crowd
It’s also a smart pick if you’re planning a trip where photos are part of the memory, not just an afterthought. Times Square is iconic. This helps you actually capture it in a way you’ll like later.
Should you book this Times Square professional photoshoot?

Book it if you want a straightforward upgrade from selfie mode to real results. The biggest reasons are simple: posing guidance from a local pro and edited photos delivered in 48 hours. If you’re short on time and you want your best shots without a lot of effort, this is a solid choice.
Think twice if you’re the type who only wants a few photos and you’re very price-sensitive about add-ons. Since you can purchase additional images and some options may be extra, it helps to go in with a plan for what you want from the shoot.
If you’re ready for a calm, guided photo session in a place where most people struggle to get good pictures, this is an experience that fits.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for the photoshoot?
You meet at 1501 Broadway.
How long does the Times Square photoshoot take?
The experience runs for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the scheduled time.
Who will contact me before the shoot?
Your photographer will contact you one day before your scheduled session to coordinate.
When will I receive my photos, and how do I get them?
You receive edited digital photos within 48 hours via a secure personal online gallery, where you can view and download them to your device.
Is this a private group experience?
Yes. It’s a private group photo session.
Are photo prints included?
No. Photo prints are not included.
If I’m late, does the session run longer?
If you’re late, the session still ends at the scheduled time.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.



















