Reviewed · TIMES SQUARE TOURS
New York City: Photoshoot – Times Square
Times Square is easy to photograph badly: too many signs, people, lights, and awkward angles. This private session gives you a professional eye to find cleaner backdrops and natural poses, with Marcio Honorato guiding you through the process rather than leaving you to guess what to do.
I like two things right away. You receive all the best edited photos, not a small preview followed by a sales pitch, and the promised delivery window is within 48 hours. The session also works well for engagements, family portraits, and couples who want more than a quick phone snapshot.
The main consideration is timing. The experience can last from 15 minutes to one hour, and Times Square is crowded and weather-exposed. Confirm the exact duration and chosen location before booking, then wear shoes that can handle walking.
Key points to know before booking

- Marcio Honorato leads the session: He has 14 years of experience photographing people and gives direct help with poses and angles.
- The meeting point is Hard Rock Cafe New York: From there, the usual photo stops are Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza.
- You receive 50 to 80 edited images: There is no stated need to buy extra photos from the session.
- The gallery arrives quickly: Photos are delivered within 48 hours, with one customer receiving them in less than a day.
- It is a private group booking: You can include up to 10 people under the $176 group price.
- Other New York locations may be available: Central Park, DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, and Brooklyn are listed as possible choices, so clarify your exact route before you go.
Why a Times Square photo session can be worth it

A trip to New York produces plenty of pictures, but the person taking them is often missing from the frame. You can ask a stranger to take a photo, balance your phone on a railing, or use a timer. Those methods work sometimes. They rarely produce a set of images with consistent framing, flattering poses, and everyone looking ready at the same moment.
That is the useful part of this experience. You meet a photographer who knows how to place you in relation to the signs, streets, buildings, and available light. You do not need to arrive with a list of poses. Marcio says he will guide you, and the feedback describes him as professional, friendly, and particularly good at keeping people comfortable.
This matters most if you are camera-shy. Many people stiffen up the moment a lens points at them. A photographer who gives clear instructions can turn a vague stand there and smile moment into something more natural. For an engagement, birthday, family trip, or first visit to New York, that help can save time and produce pictures you will actually want to share.
The price is $176 per group of up to 10 people. For a full group, that works out to $17.60 per person before any booking taxes or fees. A smaller group pays more per person, but the private format still has value if you want a planned set of portraits rather than a single quick photograph. The important question is not just the number of images. It is how much you value having everyone included and having someone manage the process in a difficult setting.
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Meeting at Hard Rock Cafe New York

The listed meeting point is Hard Rock Cafe New York, a practical place to find because it is directly in the Times Square area. Arrive ready to begin. The session is short enough that losing 10 minutes to late arrivals or last-minute outfit adjustments can make a real difference.
You should confirm the precise meeting instructions and start time when booking. The activity offers sessions lasting from 15 minutes to one hour, and availability determines the starting times. The included details describe a one-hour photoshoot, while the booking option also lists shorter durations. That likely means different time slots are offered, but you should check the option you select rather than assume every booking receives a full hour.
Bring only what you need. A phone, wallet, and small bag are easier to manage than bulky shopping bags. If you are bringing children, allow a little time for them to settle before the first picture. Times Square has a lot to look at, and children may need simple instructions repeated.
The photographer speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish. That is useful for families or couples who are more comfortable receiving posing directions in one of those languages.
Times Square: big lights and tricky backgrounds

Times Square gives you the unmistakable New York setting: giant digital signs, intense color, tall buildings, and a constant flow of people. It is the stop that immediately tells the story of where you were. For a first visit, it is hard to beat as a backdrop.
It is also the hardest place in the session to control. Crowds can cross behind you, tourists may pause in the middle of a frame, and the light from the signs changes constantly. A professional photographer earns the fee here by choosing angles that reduce visual clutter and by timing pictures between interruptions.
Do not expect every image to look quiet or formal. Some of the best Times Square portraits include the movement and bright signs. Others may use a tighter crop so the setting supports the picture without swallowing the people in it. Marcio’s role is to decide where you should stand and how to face the camera, which is especially helpful when the square is packed.
Your clothing matters more here than you might expect. Solid colors can keep the picture from competing with the advertising screens. Comfortable shoes matter because you will be standing and walking on city streets. The supplied instructions specifically recommend comfortable walking shoes, and that is sound advice even for a short session.
If the weather is cold or wet, prepare for a less comfortable experience. A December family session received praise despite cold, rain, and heavy crowds, which suggests the photographer can work through difficult conditions. Still, good results do not make bad weather pleasant. Check the forecast and dress in layers, but avoid covering your face with hats, scarves, or hoods unless you want them in the pictures.
Rockefeller Plaza for a calmer second backdrop
The second listed photo stop is near Rockefeller Plaza, identified in the meeting details as Chip City Rockefeller Plaza, NYC. Rockefeller Plaza gives you a different New York look from Times Square. Instead of relying mainly on giant electronic signs, you get a more structured city setting with open public areas and recognizable architecture.
That contrast is valuable. A gallery made entirely of Times Square photographs can feel repetitive. Adding Rockefeller Plaza gives you a second mood and lets the photographer vary the framing, distance, and body positions. One stop can feel energetic and flashy. The other can provide a cleaner city portrait.
The exact photo area may depend on crowd levels and the photographer’s judgment. The information provided names the stop but does not promise admission to a paid attraction or a particular interior location. Any paid admission is not included, so treat this as an outdoor city session unless your booking details say otherwise.
The itinerary is brief, but the photo count is not limited to one picture at each stop. The photographer can make small changes to your stance, expression, and grouping. If you are a family, ask for a mix of full-group images, smaller combinations, and individual portraits. If you are a couple, request both posed pictures and a few less formal images while you walk or look at each other.
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Manhattan, Brooklyn, or another New York setting
The activity information also lists Central Park, DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Plaza, and Times Square among the possible locations. The description refers to choosing between Manhattan or Brooklyn. That gives the experience some flexibility, but it also creates a planning question: the supplied itinerary specifically names Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza, while the wider location list includes several other parts of the city.
Do not assume all of those places fit into one hour. Central Park, DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Bridge are in different areas from Times Square, and transportation between locations is not included. If you want Brooklyn views or Central Park scenery, confirm the route and meeting arrangements in advance.
Transportation to the photo locations is your responsibility. That may be simple if you stay around Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza, but it matters more if you choose DUMBO or the Brooklyn Bridge. Admission fees, meals, and drinks are also not included. Keep the session focused on photography rather than expecting a sightseeing tour with extensive transfers.
A location change can make sense for a repeat visitor or someone with a specific picture in mind. DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge offer a very different city setting from Times Square. Central Park can suit families and couples who want a softer outdoor background. The tradeoff is travel time and less time in front of the camera if you try to cover too much.
The 50 to 80 edited photos

The strongest practical feature is the stated delivery: 50 to 80 edited photos, with no need to pay extra for the best images from the session. That makes the $176 price easier to understand. You are paying for the photographer’s time and skill, then receiving a usable gallery rather than choosing one favorite while additional images cost more.
The description connects the 50 to 80 photo count with a one-hour session. If you select a 15-minute option, ask how the number of delivered images changes. The information promises edited photos, but it does not clearly state that every duration receives the same count. That small clarification can prevent disappointment.
The gallery is delivered within 48 hours after the session. One engagement couple received their images in less than 24 hours, while another family also received theirs quickly. Fast delivery is useful if you are still in New York and want to post pictures during your trip, or if you booked the session near the end of your visit.
Edited does not mean every frame taken will be delivered. The wording indicates that all the best photos will be edited and sent. Expect a selected gallery of strong images, not every test shot, blink, or duplicate. For most people, that is the better arrangement. You get a set that is ready to share without sorting through a large pile of near-identical pictures.
Who will get the most from this private session

This is a good fit for an engagement or proposal trip, especially if the occasion deserves more care than a phone picture. One couple used the session for an engagement day and felt especially well looked after. If the photographs are tied to a major moment, tell Marcio at the start so he can shape the posing and groupings around it.
Families should also consider it. A cold, wet, crowded day did not prevent one family from getting strong pictures, and the private format avoids being mixed with strangers. You can include up to 10 people, which is useful for a family reunion or a multi-generation visit. Larger groups should be prepared to follow instructions quickly because gathering everyone takes time.
Couples, friends, solo visitors, and social-media-focused visitors can benefit too. The photographer can help you avoid the stiff arm’s-length selfie look and create several images with different angles. If you want formal portraits, casual walking pictures, or a mixture, say so early.
The experience is less suited to someone who wants a long sightseeing tour. You are not paying for a guide to explain New York history, and transportation is not included. The core product is photography in recognizable locations. It is also not ideal if you dislike walking, standing, or being photographed in public.
Weather, crowds, and what to wear

Times Square photographs can work in many conditions, but comfort affects your expression. Cold shoulders, wet hair, and shoes that hurt will show in the final images. Wear something you can move in, check the weather before leaving, and bring a layer that can be removed for some pictures if conditions allow.
Comfortable walking shoes are the clear priority. You may move between nearby spots, wait briefly for a cleaner angle, and stand while the photographer adjusts positions. High heels or stiff dress shoes can work for a few formal images, but consider wearing comfortable shoes for the walking portions.
Crowds are part of the setting, not a defect that can always be removed. A skilled photographer can find better angles, but no one can guarantee an empty Times Square. If you need a quiet, spacious portrait, discuss Central Park or another location instead of expecting the square to behave like a studio.
The photographer’s attitude becomes especially important in difficult conditions. The feedback describes Marcio as friendly and professional, with one family praising his ability to keep spirits up in very cold weather. That does not replace sensible clothing, but it is a useful sign for anyone worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera.
Languages, access, and booking flexibility

The session is offered in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. It is wheelchair accessible, though the exact route and surface conditions should still be confirmed if anyone in your group has specific mobility needs. Times Square and nearby public areas can be crowded, so practical route details matter.
The booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There is also a reserve-now, pay-later option, which helps if your New York schedule is still shifting. These policies are useful, but check the final booking terms for your selected time slot.
The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from six ratings, with praise focused on Marcio’s professionalism, friendly manner, help with locations and poses, and quick photo delivery. Five-star ratings alone cannot tell you whether the timing or style fits your plans, but the repeated themes are directly relevant to what you are buying.
Should you book the Times Square photoshoot?
Book it if you want polished New York portraits without organizing poses, finding angles, or persuading a stranger to take your picture. The strongest reasons are the private group format, direct help from Marcio Honorato, 50 to 80 edited images for the stated one-hour session, and delivery within 48 hours.
The $176 group price makes the most sense for families, couples celebrating something important, and groups of several people. A solo visitor or small couple should compare the cost with how much professional photography matters to them. The value is in the complete gallery and the photographer’s direction, not in transportation or sightseeing.
Before booking, confirm three things: your exact duration, the precise location route, and how many edited images apply to that duration. If you accept the crowds, walking, and weather exposure, this is a practical way to leave New York with photographs that include everyone and look intentional.
FAQ
Where does the photoshoot meet?
Meet at Hard Rock Cafe New York.
How long does the photoshoot last?
Available sessions range from 15 minutes to one hour. The included details describe a one-hour photoshoot, so check the available option and duration when booking.
What locations are included?
The listed route includes Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza. Central Park, DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, and Brooklyn are also listed as possible locations, so confirm your preferred route before the session.
How many edited photos will I receive?
The experience states that you will receive 50 to 80 edited photos for a one-hour session. You do not need to buy extra photos from the session.
When will the photos be delivered?
Your edited photos will be delivered within 48 hours after the photoshoot.
Is the booking private?
Yes. This is a private group experience for up to 10 people.
What languages does the photographer speak?
The session is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
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