Reviewed · TIMES SQUARE & MIDTOWN TOURS
New York City: Solo or Couples Photoshoot in Times Square!
A New York photoshoot gives you something a standard sightseeing walk cannot: professional images of you in the city, not just pictures of the city itself. Bee Lively Photography begins at Rockefeller Center, takes you through Midtown, and finishes beneath the bright signs of Times Square. I like the private format and the option to change the location to places such as Central Park, DUMBO, or the Brooklyn Bridge.
I also like that Bee sends the finished digital photos within 72 hours, so you do not wait weeks to see the results. The main consideration is the price: $249 per person is a serious spend for 45 minutes, and the subway fare, food, drinks, and any admission costs are extra.
In This Review
- Key points
- A polished New York memory in only 45 minutes
- Meeting Bee at Rockefeller Center
- Walking from Rockefeller Center to Times Square
- Finishing beneath the lights of Times Square
- What you receive after the session
- The photographer’s role matters more than the backdrop
- Is $249 per person fair value?
- Choosing Midtown, Central Park, DUMBO, or the Brooklyn Bridge
- Who will get the most from this experience?
- Booking details worth knowing before you go
- Should you book the Times Square photoshoot?
- FAQ
- Where does the photoshoot begin?
- Where does the standard route finish?
- How long does the photoshoot last?
- How many photos will I receive?
- When will I receive my photos?
- Can I request a different New York location?
Key points
- Rockefeller Center start: Meet in front of the flags at Rockefeller Center Plaza.
- Times Square finish: The session ends in the heart of Midtown, giving you classic New York backdrops.
- Private 45-minute session: You get one-on-one attention rather than posing in a large group.
- 20 to 50 digital photos: All high-resolution images taken during the session are included.
- Flexible location choices: Ask about Central Park, DUMBO, or the Brooklyn Bridge instead of the standard Midtown route.
- Patient photographer: Bee is known for taking extra time and repeating shots when needed.
A polished New York memory in only 45 minutes

This experience is built for a simple purpose: to give you good photographs in places most people visit only with a phone. That makes it a useful choice for a solo visitor, a couple, or anyone marking a special trip to New York.
The session lasts 45 minutes. That is long enough for two main areas, but short enough to fit into a busy day of sightseeing. You will not spend half a day walking from one photo spot to another. The tradeoff is that you need to arrive ready, know what kind of images you want, and keep the pace moving.
The standard route starts at Rockefeller Center and finishes at Times Square. The provider can also adjust the setting to suit your plans. If you already have a favorite part of New York in mind, ask about it before booking rather than assuming every location can be added on the day.
More Times Square and Midtown walks:
- NYC: Circle Line “The Beast” Midtown/Downtown Speedboat Ride
★ 4.6 · 4,259 reviews - NYC in a Day Tour: Lady Liberty, Times Square, Freedom Tower
★ 5.0 · 1,735 reviews - Broadway and Times Square Insider Tour with Theater Professional
★ 5.0 · 651 reviews
Meeting Bee at Rockefeller Center

Your meeting point is Rockefeller Center Plaza, in front of the flags. This is a clear place to start, but Rockefeller Center can feel crowded and confusing if you do not know the complex. Give yourself enough time to find the plaza and avoid arriving at the last second.
Rockefeller Center works well as the opening scene. Its open plaza, famous buildings, flags, and central Midtown position give you a strong New York setting without requiring an admission ticket. You can expect a photo stop and sightseeing here before moving on.
A private photographer also gives you a person who can help with posing. That matters if you usually feel stiff in front of a camera. Bee’s style, based on the details of the experience, includes patience and a willingness to repeat shots until you are happy. One customer specifically praised the extra time and repeated attempts to get the images right.
That detail is worth taking seriously. A professional photograph is not only about finding a famous backdrop. It also depends on posture, expression, timing, and whether you feel comfortable. You should still speak up if you dislike a pose or want another version.
Walking from Rockefeller Center to Times Square

The route includes about 10 minutes on foot between the main stops. This is not a long walk, but comfortable shoes are sensible. Midtown sidewalks can be tiring when you are already spending the day on foot, and you may need to pause briefly for street crossings and crowds.
The walk gives the session a natural sense of movement. You are not simply standing in one place for the whole 45 minutes. It also links two very different New York settings: Rockefeller Center has a more organized plaza feel, while Times Square delivers flashing signs, giant screens, and a much louder city backdrop.
The experience uses one subway fare for convenience on the private Midtown Manhattan shoot. The current fare provided for this activity is $2.90, and it is not included in the booking price. The description does not specify exactly where that subway ride fits into the route, so confirm the transport plan with Bee if you want a precise breakdown before the session.
The subway cost is small compared with the booking price, but it is still useful to know. Bring a little room in your budget for transport, since travel costs are separate.
Finishing beneath the lights of Times Square

Times Square is the natural finale. It is one of the easiest places in New York to identify in a photograph, and the signs create a setting that immediately says New York. For a first visit, this is the kind of location many people want included in their album.
The setting has a drawback, too. Times Square is crowded, noisy, and full of movement. You should not expect a quiet portrait session there. The appeal is the energy and scale, so the background may include other people and constant activity.
That is one reason the Rockefeller Center start works well. The two locations give you some variety within a short session. At Rockefeller Center, you can create cleaner architectural images. At Times Square, you get a more unmistakable city scene.
If Times Square is not your priority, ask about changing the location. Central Park can offer a different mood, while DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge provide other well-known New York views. The experience is described as customizable based on your location preferences, but the precise route and any extra transport should be agreed in advance.
A few more New York City picks to weigh up
- NYC Professional Photoshoot and Walking Tour with Private Guide
★ 5.0 · 608 reviews - New York Icon Photography Tour led by a Local Photographer
★ 5.0 · 155 reviews - New York: 1-hour Photoshoot in Iconic Locations
★ 5.0 · 101 reviews - Central Park Photography Tour with Local Photographer
★ 5.0 · 85 reviews
What you receive after the session

The package includes all digital, high-resolution professional photos taken during the shoot. The usual delivery is between 20 and 50 images, and you receive them within 72 hours.
That range is broad, so it helps to understand what it means. You are not buying a fixed number of carefully retouched portraits selected from a larger gallery. You receive the digital photographs taken during the session, generally somewhere between 20 and 50 images. The final number can vary.
Fast delivery is a real advantage for a short New York visit. If you are staying only a few days, you may see the images before leaving or soon after returning home. You can also use the photos for personal keepsakes without waiting through a long editing period.
Physical prints are not included, but they can be purchased for an additional charge. If printed photographs matter to you, ask about the price and available formats before the session.
The photographer’s role matters more than the backdrop

Bee is described as an experienced professional photographer and city guide, with English and French offered. You are not simply hiring someone to press a camera button. The value comes from direction, local familiarity, and helping you use the short session well.
The strongest praise centers on Bee’s manner as well as the photographs. Several customers describe her as kind, sweet, extremely nice, and patient. One person noted that she spent extra time and repeated shots until the result felt right. Those details suggest a relaxed approach, which can make a big difference if you are camera-shy.
The available feedback is uniformly positive, with a five-star rating based on 13 reviews. That is encouraging, but it is still a small sample. I would treat it as a good sign rather than a guarantee that every person will love every image.
You can help the session succeed by arriving with a rough idea of what you want. Tell Bee if you prefer candid-looking photographs, classic posed portraits, close-ups, full-body shots, or a mix. You do not need a complicated plan, but a little direction saves time.
Is $249 per person fair value?

At $249 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price covers a private 45-minute photoshoot and all digital high-resolution photos taken during the session, generally 20 to 50 images. It does not include food, drinks, travel costs, admission fees, or physical prints.
The value depends on how much you care about the photographs. If you are visiting New York alone, a professional shoot solves the problem of getting good pictures of yourself without relying on strangers or a timer. For couples, it means both people can appear in the frame instead of taking turns behind the camera.
It can also make sense for a birthday, proposal-related trip, anniversary, graduation, or first visit you want to remember in a more polished way. If you only want casual snapshots, the price may feel too high for less than an hour.
The private format is important here. You are paying for personal attention rather than sharing the photographer’s time with other people. That makes the cost easier to justify for someone who values comfort, direction, and a set of images made for a specific person or couple.
Remember to include the $2.90 subway fare if it applies to your route. You should also budget for any print purchase or admission charge connected with a custom location, though the standard Rockefeller Center and Times Square photo stops do not list an admission fee.
Choosing Midtown, Central Park, DUMBO, or the Brooklyn Bridge

The standard Midtown route is the simplest choice if you want classic New York signs and buildings with minimal planning. Rockefeller Center and Times Square are close enough to fit into a short session, and the route ends at a location many first-time visitors already plan to see.
Central Park gives you a different setting, but the park is large. A 45-minute session there needs a clear meeting point and a focused area. If you choose it, ask Bee exactly where the shoot begins and how much walking is involved.
DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge offer another kind of city picture. They may suit you if you want bridges, waterfront views, or a more open setting than Midtown. The supplied details confirm these locations can be considered, but they do not give a separate route length or transport plan. Confirm those points before changing the location.
This flexibility is useful, but it is not unlimited time. You should choose one area rather than trying to squeeze several distant parts of New York into 45 minutes.
Who will get the most from this experience?

I would recommend this shoot to solo visitors who want attractive photographs without asking passersby. It is also a good fit for couples who want professional pictures together, especially if the trip marks an important occasion.
It suits adults who are comfortable paying for a private service and who care about receiving finished images quickly. The English and French language options make communication easier for many clients, and the private group format keeps the session focused on you.
The experience is not suitable for children under 18 or people over 70, according to the stated restrictions. It is wheelchair accessible, which is helpful, though you should still discuss your preferred route and any movement needs when arranging the session.
Bring comfortable shoes and water. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. You should also dress for the weather and choose clothing that lets you move easily between locations, though no specific dress code is given.
Booking details worth knowing before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking, which helps if your New York schedule is still changing.
Starting times depend on availability, so check the calendar before building the rest of your day around the shoot. The experience lasts 45 minutes, but you should allow extra time for reaching Rockefeller Center, finding the flags, and getting to anything scheduled afterward.
The activity is private, not a shared group walk. That gives you more control over the pace and poses. Still, the session has a defined start and finish, so arriving late cuts into the time you paid for.
Should you book the Times Square photoshoot?
Book it if professional New York photographs are a priority, especially for a solo trip, couple’s holiday, or special occasion. Bee’s patient approach, fast 72-hour delivery, private format, and choice of locations give the experience more value than a quick photo stop.
Skip it if you mainly want inexpensive snapshots or if $249 feels hard to justify for 45 minutes. The cost is high once you add transport and optional prints, and Times Square itself can be noisy and crowded.
For the right person, this is a practical way to leave New York with more than memories in your phone. Arrive at the flags on time, wear comfortable shoes, tell Bee what kind of images you want, and choose your location with the short session length in mind.
FAQ
Where does the photoshoot begin?
It begins at Rockefeller Center Plaza, in front of the flags.
Where does the standard route finish?
The standard session finishes in Times Square.
How long does the photoshoot last?
The photoshoot lasts 45 minutes.
How many photos will I receive?
You will generally receive between 20 and 50 digital, high-resolution professional photos taken during the session.
When will I receive my photos?
Your digital photos are delivered within 72 hours of the shoot.
Can I request a different New York location?
Yes. The session can be customized based on your location preferences, including Central Park, DUMBO, or the Brooklyn Bridge.
Just listed around New York City
- Brooklyn Nets Basketball Game Ticket at Barclays Center★ 5.0 · 12 reviews
- Recreate the Most Requested Walking Tour of 1840s New York★ 5.0 · 12 reviews
- Explore NYC- Tour of Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens & Brooklyn★ 4.5 · 12 reviews
- Edge at Hudson Yards General Admission Tickets★ 4.0 · 13 reviews
- Charging Bull, Wall Street, 911 Memorial + One World Tickets★ 5.0 · 13 reviews
- Oppenheimer in New York: Upper West Side Walking Tour★ 5.0 · 13 reviews
- Great Jones Distilling Co. NYC Craft Whiskey Tour and Tasting★ 5.0 · 13 reviews
- NYC Statue Liberty 90-Minute Sightseeing Cruise★ 4.0 · 13 reviews
Times Square & Midtown Tours, compared.

Circle Line “The Beast” Midtown/Downtown Speedboat Ride
Read our review →
NYC in a Day Tour: Lady Liberty, Times Square, Freedom Tower
Read our review →
Broadway and Times Square Insider Tour with Theater Professional
Read our review →
See Yourself on a Times Square Billboard for 24 Hours
Read our review →
NYC in a Day Tour: Statue of Liberty, Times Square and More
Read our review →
The Escape Game NYC: 60-Minute Adventures in Midtown Manhattan
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in


