Is a Travel Photoshoot Worth the Money?

Last Updated on October 9, 2026

Wondering if you should splurge on a travel photoshoot during your next trip?

We wrestled with that decision a couple years ago before a family trip to Hawaii with our teens. We knew we could get by with just taking selfies and handing our phone to a stranger for a family shot, like we’d always done in the past. But we hadn’t had a professional family photo taken in years, and with our kids growing up so quickly, I knew these days of traveling together as a family wouldn’t last forever.

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We’re not budget travelers, but we definitely watch our vacation dollars, so this wasn’t an easy decision.

After weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go for it. A couple years later, I’m very happy we did. But I also don’t think a professional travel photoshoot is worth the expense for every trip or every traveler.

Here are a few things to consider before deciding if it’s worth it for you.

How Much Does a Travel Photoshoot Cost?

Cost is probably the biggest factor when deciding whether a travel photoshoot is worth it. Prices can vary quite a bit depending on where you’re traveling, how long the session is, and which photographer you choose.

When I started researching photographers for our Maui trip, most of the local photographers I found charged around $495 for a 30-minute family session. That was more than I wanted to spend, especially for such a short amount of time.

Then I came across a company called Flytographer, which connects travelers with local photographers in destinations around the world. Through their website, I could search for photographers in Maui, browse their portfolios, read reviews, and book a session online.

I found a photographer offering a 60-minute session for $385 for our family of five. That was still a lot of money, but I felt that with a full hour, we’d be able to get a wide variety of photos, and it made the cost easier for me to justify. So I booked it.

I looked at it this way: A $385 photoshoot for a family of five = $77 per person. That’s an amount we’d probably spend on a tour or excursion, and this was an experience that would leave us with something to enjoy long after the vacation ended.

Of course, those were the prices when we booked a couple years ago, and rates will vary by photographer, destination, and session length. But before deciding whether a travel photoshoot is worth the cost, think about what you get for your money.

What Are You Actually Getting for Your Money?

You’ll obviously come home with high-quality professional photos of your trip, but to me, it’s more than just having nicer pictures.

You’re also paying for:

• Photos with everyone in them. Is mom or dad always missing in photos because they’re the one behind the camera?
• Someone who knows how to capture both your family and the destination. A good photographer knows how to position people, use lighting, and make the most of the surroundings. For example, look at the picture below. I could never have gotten that shot on my own. That picture alone was worth the money for me!

• Someone else responsible for getting the shot. Nobody in your group has to worry about setting up the camera or getting everyone in the shot.
• A variety of usable pictures. Instead of hoping that the stranger you handed your phone to got a good shot, you’ll have multiple professionally taken photos to choose from.
• High-quality images you can actually use. Whether you want to frame them, make a photo book, or give prints as gifts, you’ll have photos worth displaying.

For us, the biggest benefit was finally having beautiful pictures of all five of us together – with Maui as the backdrop.

Will You Actually Do Anything With the Photos?

Ask yourself this question before booking, because if the pictures are just going to sit in an online gallery somewhere and rarely get looked at, then spending several hundred dollars might not make much sense.

But if you know you’ll frame them, make a photo book, or find other ways to enjoy them years from now, the expense may be easier to justify.

That’s definitely been the case for us. A couple years later, our Hawaii family pictures still decorate the walls of our home, bringing back great memories every time we see them. We’ve also used them for Christmas cards, a scrapbook, screensavers, and other framed prints.

Consider More Than Just Cost

Money isn’t the only thing you’re spending on a travel photoshoot. You’re also giving up some of your vacation time… and a 60-minute photoshoot doesn’t take just 60 minutes.

We spent the better part of an afternoon getting ready (in our coordinated outfits, of course!), driving to the location, arriving early so we wouldn’t waste any of our session, and then driving back.

That might not sound like a big deal, but convincing three teenagers to take a break from swimming, snorkeling, and exploring to get dressed up and smile for a camera wasn’t as easy as the picture below makes it seem!

Fortunately, our Hawaii vacation wasn’t as jam-packed as some of our other trips. We spent four nights on Oahu and five on Maui. Since we had more sightseeing planned for Oahu, we scheduled our photoshoot during the Maui portion of our trip.

With five days on Maui, we had plenty of time to do everything we wanted and still fit in the photoshoot. But if we’d only had two days on the island, I wouldn’t have considered it.

That’s something I’d definitely keep in mind. If you’re already trying to squeeze a lot into a short trip, think carefully about whether giving up several hours for pictures is how you want to spend your time.

When Should You Consider a Professional Travel Photoshoot?

I wouldn’t splurge on professional photos during every vacation. But I do think there are certain trips and occasions when it makes more sense.

A once-in-a-lifetime vacation, milestone anniversary, honeymoon, engagement, or multigenerational family trip could all be reasons to book a photographer. Or maybe you’re visiting a destination you’ve dreamed about and want something special to remember it by.

For us, it was mainly about the timing. It had been almost 15 years since we’d hired a professional photographer for family pictures. Our youngest was just 9 months old at the time, and now she was 15! Plus, our oldest son was getting close to finishing college and heading out on his own.

I figured the time was right for a professional photoshoot… and what better backdrop than Maui?

Of course, if professional photos aren’t that important to you, or booking a session means cutting an activity you’re really excited about, I’d save the money for something else.

Travel Photoshoot Ideas That Give You More for Your Money

If you decide to book a travel photoshoot, a little planning can help you make the most of the time you’re paying for:

Choose a location that actually looks like your destination. If you’re paying for travel photos, it’s nice to have a recognizable backdrop that reminds you where you were.

Look for variety within a small area. A location with several different backgrounds gives you more variety without wasting valuable photography time traveling between spots.

Get different combinations of people. Ask the photographer to get different people in different pictures: whole family, parents, kids together, individuals, etc.

Include both posed and candid photos. You’ll probably want a few traditional poses where everyone is looking at the camera. But don’t overlook the less-posed shots. Sometimes those end up being the ones you like the best.

I’d also recommend discussing your priorities with your photographer beforehand, so you don’t miss out on a shot that you really want.

So, Is a Travel Photoshoot Worth the Money?

For us, absolutely! Our pictures turned out beautifully and looking back, I think booking that photoshoot was one of the best decisions we made for our Hawaii trip.

We still get compliments on the framed photos throughout our house, and sometimes I stop in the hallway just to admire them. Seeing all five of us together in such a stunning place brings back memories of a wonderful family vacation and a stage of life that’s already changing.

Interested in Booking Your Own Travel Photoshoot?

We booked our session through Flytographer and had a great experience. If you’re curious about what the actual photoshoot was like, you can read my full Flytographer review from our Maui trip.

I’ve since become a Flytographer affiliate, and if you book through this link, you can save $50 through the month of October, including gift cards to use later. After October the bonus goes back down to $25.

Whether you decide to hire a photographer or stick with your own camera, my advice is to make sure you get some pictures with everyone in them. Years from now, those may be some of your favorite souvenirs from the trip.

Have you done a travel photoshoot? Did you think it was worth it? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.