Couples

Updated in 2026: I no longer offer photography sessions in Lima or elsewhere in Peru. I am now based in Amsterdam, where I photograph couples, families, proposals, and solo travelers.

I met Lisa and Travis through Flytographer. They chose Barranco for their 30-minute photo session in Lima. People sometimes worry that a short session will not be enough. Lisa and Travis’s photographs show how much we can create when we choose the location carefully and have a clear plan.

So, how long should your vacation photo session be? Here are a few things to consider.

1. Consider your travel schedule

Think about how much time you have in the city and how long it will take to reach the meeting point. Depending on where you are staying, you may need at least 30 minutes to arrive and another 30 minutes to return. Check the route before booking, especially if you have other activities planned on the same day.

2. Think about the variety you want

A shorter session is suitable when you want a beautiful record of one part of your holiday in one carefully selected area. A longer session gives us time for more backgrounds, photographs, and variety. It also creates more space to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.

3. Consider the ages of your children

Shorter sessions often work well for babies and toddlers because their energy and attention can change quickly. With older children, a longer session gives us more time for family photographs, individual portraits, and different combinations without placing too much pressure on anyone.

4. Allow more time for a large group

For an extended family or a group of friends, choose at least 60 or 90 minutes. We need time to photograph the full group, each family, couples, children, and a few individual portraits. More time gives everyone a better chance to receive photographs they love.

5. Decide how much of the city you want to experience

A longer session allows us to explore more than one area and include a wider range of backgrounds. This can be especially valuable when you have limited time in the city. Your photo session becomes a relaxed walk that combines photographs with local stories and recommendations.

6. Check the distances between locations

Places that appear close on a map may require a long journey, special transport, or an entrance ticket. When I photographed in Peru, people sometimes requested sessions at Machu Picchu while staying in Cusco. Reaching Machu Picchu requires several hours of travel by train and bus, as well as an entrance ticket. It is a separate experience rather than another location within Cusco. Keeping the plan simple often makes the session more enjoyable and memorable.

7. Ask about the best location and time

Your photographer understands how a city changes throughout the day. A popular location may look completely different early in the morning than it does during the busiest hours. Getting up early during a holiday is not always easy, but quieter streets and softer light can make a significant difference to the photographs.

8. Relax and enjoy the experience

You do not need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. That is part of my job. The most important thing is to enjoy your time together and trust the process. I will guide you while still leaving room for natural moments to happen. I also recommend scheduling your photo session near the beginning of your trip. It is a lovely way to become familiar with the city and receive local ideas that you can use during the rest of your visit.

Although Lisa and Travis’s session took place in Lima, these same principles guide the experiences I now create in Amsterdam.

My Amsterdam sessions range from a focused one-hour experience to longer routes that allow us to explore different parts of the city. The right choice depends on who is joining you, how much variety you want, and how you would like the experience to feel.

Joanna, your Amsterdam photographer

Photographing your stories and experiences