Getting Started
Book a fun experience with a local professional photographer who knows all the best photo spots, when the best lighting will be, and how to beat the crowds to capture magical moments without tons of other tourists in the background. Local Lens photographers are artists that are handpicked for quality, style, and skill. Not only will they take amazing photos, but will edit them to be beautiful photo souvenirs you’ll treasure for years to come.
Prices vary by city, ensuring you the best rates. Choose between 4 different packages that range from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. The high-resolution photos are professionally edited and delivered by email in a private online gallery within 5 business days. See pricing for your destination here.
EXPERT PHOTO EDITING
All photos are edited for light, color, and sharpness to make your photos gorgeous.
QUICK TURNAROUND
Receive your photos within 5 days of your photoshoot, but usually sooner! Download your choice of 15, 30, 45 or 60 digital photos.
LOCAL TIPS
Your personal photographer also acts as an informal tour guide with all the best photo spots and local secrets for what to see, eat, & do in town.
PEACE OF MIND
Choose from vetted and highly rated photographers. Hassle-free booking and cancellation policy.
PRINT RELEASE
Turn your digital photos into cherished prints & wall art! Use our printing partners and get FREE SHIPPING – as low as $1 USD for 4×6 luster prints.
You can view each photographer’s portfolio from your destination’s page. When you have chosen your favorite photographer, check their availability by submitting an inquiry.
All packages are bought as a single session, which means the time cannot be split. If you would like to have a photoshoot on two different days, you would need to purchase two separate packages (one for each day).
Shoots outside city limits may be subject to a small travel fee. Please check with your photographer to confirm the fee and their availability to travel before booking. If there is a fee, you can pay this in cash on the day of the shoot or online through Local Lens.
We offer pre-wedding photoshoots or casual photo sessions after a wedding ceremony. You can even bring your wedding dress to your vacation photoshoot; it is a great idea for an anniversary trip or honeymoon photos! We do not offer full coverage wedding photography services for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
The Photos
All photos are delivered in a private online gallery where you can download your photos in high-resolution JPG format. You will receive an email with your gallery link within five business days, but usually sooner. Additional files and high-quality prints from our professional partner labs are also available for purchase, starting at $1 USD for a standard 4×6!
Photographers professionally edit the photos by adjusting light and balancing color. Beauty retouching is not included, but can be requested for an additional fee from your gallery.
Photos in your private online gallery are delivered in JPG format. High-quality prints from our professional partner labs are also available for purchase. We do not offer photos in RAW file formats.
Delivering all the RAW files from a shoot is extremely uncommon since it mis-represents a photographers work if a RAW photo is shared across networks versus a fine-tuned stunning photo. It can take dozens of shots, adjustments, and poses to get the perfect set of photos for your gallery. We want you to get the best photos possible, and to do that takes time, careful selection, and skilled editing that is all included in the price you pay for the photo services. Think quality vs quantity. For these reasons we usually advise against giving out RAW photos, unless the photographer you choose is fine with it. Don’t worry though; your photographer will upload more than the amount of photos included in your photo package so you can pick all your favorites. If you feel there is a certain photo or pose that is missing, we’ll be happy to look into it for you!
You have the right to use the photos for personal use, so please share them, print them, and hang them on your wall! Your photographer and Local Lens retain the copyright of the photos. We would love to show off your amazing photos in our portfolio, but if you prefer to keep the photos private, just let us know.
Marriage Proposals
Your proposal moment only lasts a few seconds. Capture that priceless reaction forever with beautiful photos your fiancée will love. Our local proposal photographers know all the best photo spots, when the best lighting will be, and how to beat the crowds to perfectly capture the magical moment.
Request your dates, compare portfolios, and book your favorite photographer. Choose your proposal spot and the photographer will be hidden and ready to capture the moment, paparazzi-style. Afterwards, the photographer will introduce themselves and you both can enjoy a fun engagement photoshoot to capture the post-engagement glow. These photos will be perfect for your official engagement announcement, wedding website, save-the-date cards, and wedding invitations!
Proposal photoshoots require more detailed planning, so the earlier the better! To ensure you get your preferred date, time, and photographer, we recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
Your Inquiry
If your photographer did not add time restrictions to their response, they are available for any time slot on your date. After your payment is processed, you will be able to speak directly with your photographer to coordinate photoshoot details such as the meeting spot and time.
To change your shoot inquiry date, you will need to create a totally new inquiry from your account. In your account, click the “Create New Shoot” button in the menu, fill out the new details, and click Save. This will send out the new details to the photographers. As soon as your photographer confirms their availability for the new date, you’ll be ready to proceed with the reservation.
To change the time, submit a follow-up question with your photographer and ask if they are available at your new desired time. Once they confirm their availability, you can proceed with the reservation.
To change the duration, you can simply proceed with the reservation and before submitting payment you can change the package duration. The total amount due will be modified accordingly.
After your payment is processed, you will be able to speak directly with your photographer to coordinate any last photoshoot details such as the meeting spot and exact start time.
Unfortunately your inquiry has probably timed out due to inactivity. To create a new inquiry, click the “Create New Shoot” button in the menu of your dashboard, fill out the new details, and click Save. As soon as your photographer re-confirms their availability you’ll be ready to proceed with the reservation.
After the Shoot
Leave your photographer a review here! Your review will be posted directly to their profile for others to see.
The photoshoot package you choose includes a set amount of photos, but you’ll be able to purchase additional digital files or prints (starting at $1 USD for a standard 4×6). Beauty retouches can also be added for an additional fee. This includes editing for blemish removals, skin smoothing, body retouching (specified by the customer), and background item removal.
Tips are appreciated but not expected. Any extra purchases you make from your gallery (such as additional digital downloads or prints) will also go to your photographer. Leaving your photographer a great review is also a nice way to show your gratitude.
More Information
To safeguard your interests, Local Lens holds on to your photographer’s payment until all your photos have been successfully delivered. Paying and communicating through Local Lens helps ensure that you’re protected under our Terms and Conditions. It also makes it easy to find and reference important reservation details like the meeting spot, start time, and other useful information. We can’t provide these benefits if your reservation isn’t booked and paid for directly through Local Lens. Paying or communicating outside of Local Lens makes it harder for us to protect your information and puts you at greater risk of fraud and other security issues, such as phishing.
Starting May 1, 2022, COVID will no longer be considered an “extenuating circumstance”, and shoots canceled due to COVID will fall under the standard refund policy. Photoshoots canceled last minute due to any sickness will attempt to be An
If you cancel a shoot:
- If you cancel more than 14 days before your shoot date, we will honor a 100% refund minus the 3% processor fee
- If you cancel less than 14 days before your shoot we will honor a 90% refund.
- If you cancel less than 7 days before the shoot, we will honor a 75% refund
- If you cancel less than 72 hours before the shoot, we will honor a 50% refund
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the shoot, or do not show up to a shoot, there is no refund.
- Same-day shoots are not guaranteed. If you book a shoot and then immediately cancel a shoot all within 24 hours, we will refund 50%.
- We will attempt to accommodate any rescheduling requests, but we cannot guarantee we will be able to do so. Last-minute changes are also not guaranteed.
- Shoot time missed due to late arrivals may be forfeited, and the number of photos delivered can be adjusted to reflect the time spent together.
- All sales are final and there is no refund for cancelled shoots within 24 hours of the shoot or ‘no-shows’.
- In the case of bad weather, exploring the city under the rain can be very exciting, and it will make for great photos (trust us!).
If the weather is too unbearable, you can coordinate with your photographer to re-schedule or we will issue a full refund at our discretion.