My First Flytographer Photoshoot in Positano, Italy: Solo Travel Memories

Memories last a lifetime.

Photo by Peppe (of Pasquale and Peppe) — Flytographer.

Flytographer is a Canadian Vancouver-based photography service specializing in capturing memories for people on the road. That means whether you’re a solo traveller or a group of friends, you’ll walk away with some pretty amazing photos to last a lifetime (and if you’re planning a surprise, they’ve got that covered too).

I discovered Flytographer while researching my destinations last year. The business was launched in 2013 to fill a void in travel photography for those who don’t have a photographer friend handy and want to avoid awkward photos taken by strangers with no eye for it. Plus, phone-snatching is a thing, and you run a risk every time you give your phone to a stranger.

I definitely wanted to commemorate my first solo tour last year, so I bit the bullet and paid the hefty $400+ for a shoot. I chose to do it in Positano, Italy, since it was the most “aesthetic” place on my itinerary and still offered adequate weather in October.

Was it worth it? Let’s find out.

Booking the Shoot

To book a photoshoot, go to the Flytographer website. Their “How it Works” section gives a step-by-step process. You can look up the possible destinations for shoots (i.e. where they have photographers available) and each photographer’s portfolio before making a decision. Once you’re ready, just make an account and choose your package.

Flytographer will put you in touch with the photographer closer to the shoot date. Meanwhile, you can send along notes for how you want the photo style to look like, anything you want to try on the day of, visual links, etc. (I highly recommend doing this. It gives the photographer an idea of what you want, so they can prepare beforehand, and you can increase the chances of getting exactly the images you want.)

Tip: Book early to guarantee you get a slot with your preferred photographer. The really popular photographers and routes get snatched up several months in advance.

The Price

$471.48 (with a $50 discount!) for a personal shoot is not cheap. As a dancer and performer, I’ve done my fair share of TFP (time-for-prints) shoots, headshot sessions, and general modeling. Even for paid photoshoots, it’s rare to go above $400 for most packages (though acting headshots, in particular, are suspiciously pricey and can market for over $700 for more expensive options).

Are the photos great? Yes.

Are they worth $500+? Only you can decide.

For many, it’s the experience of getting professional photos taken on a special occasion that’s worth the big bucks. This is why wedding photographers, for example, can charge so much.

You can probably get similar photos done by a photographer friend or even an independent hired local for much less. However, you might not get the same level of assurance with turnaround. Is your friend really going to get back to you soon? Is the hired local really legit? With considerations like these, oftentimes it’s just easier to book through an established platform and pay the extra money for security and safety. (And when you’re a solo traveller, you definitely want security and safety.)

The important thing here is to choose a photographer you really like. There are tons of them on the Flytographer database, but not all of them will suit your artistic style. No amount of money paid, no matter how cheap, will feel worth it if you don’t do your research.

Flytographer’s prices match the average in similar services such as Sweet Escape. It’s worth checking out more options to find the best price (and many of the same photographers are listed).

Tip: Flytographer works with brands, affiliates, and influencers. Google “Flytographer promo code” or “Flytographer discount” to find available codes for usually $50 off your first booking. This trick also works for other platforms like Squarespace or Wix. YouTube is a great place to find affiliate promo codes in the descriptions of related videos.

What to Wear

Mixing ‘n’ matching. Photo by Lonely Girl, Lonely World.

Whatever you want. As long as you’re comfortable and safe, that’s all that matters. Be aware that some environments may not be suited to high heels, for example. If you want to wear them, bring them separately and change into them on location. I suggest taking a few small options for variation with you, such as a jacket or accessories. Don’t go overboard, though, you’ll likely want to set the bags aside for the shoot, and your photographer only has so many hands (plus, it’s not their job to act as your clothing rack).

Be open to changing your outfit on the day of, too. I’d brought along a dress I thought I’d like to wear for the shoot and instead donned a pair of jeans and a loose shirt. I felt much more comfortable in an outfit I could freely move around and play in.

Tip: Try a colour pop! Based on your surroundings, see what colour stands out against them.

My Photoshoot Experience

Package: Solo traveller

Price: 471.48 CAD

Location and route: Positano, Italy — Positano Village Route

Meeting point: Collina Positano Bakery

My Flytographer photoshoot turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. I booked the team of Pasquale and Peppe, but they stipulate in their bookings that due to busy schedules, only one or the other may come (and a translator, if need be).

Peppe met me at the corner of the bakery and led me to a high spot overlooking the village, where a horde of other photographers were shooting their clients as well.

“Lots of people in the business?” I asked jokingly. Peppe confirmed it. He said they all know each other and sometimes help each other out on jobs.

We worked our way downhill to and around Spiaggia Beach. Peppe had taken a good look at my notes beforehand and knew that I wanted a minimalist aesthetic (think running in lavender fields against an open sky), but — as I realized myself soon after arriving in this village — he told me that might be hard to do in Positano. I agreed. Positano is definitely not a minimalist place. However, he would do his best to give a similar look.

Peppe was very amiable and easygoing. In-between locations, he told me about some of the local customs, and I asked him about some photography practices. Flytographer photographers are all locals, so this is your chance to ask questions! Also feel free to ask to look at the shots in intervals. These are great moments to point out which ones you really love and what you’d like to adjust.

I’m used to being in front of the camera, but for those who may not be, rest assured there are dozens of others taking photos around you, especially in a place like Positano.

When we went down to Spiaggia Beach, there was a girl using her tripod to take a solo video of herself in the water. Meanwhile, people crowded the beach. It does take a certain level of confidence to take your own photos and videos that aren’t selfies — something I’m still working up to — so for that, I’m very glad I had Flytographer. (It’s also great if you don’t want to be the one glued to your phone or camera on vacation.)

Peppe took a total of around 400 shots for me. Flytographer guidelines state you’ll receive around 30 of the best ones, but Peppe went the extra mile to edit and send 90!. The turnaround was super quick. I got mine in 5 days; the photographers are obligated to send your products within 10.

First they send you one image in a postcard format to give you a sneak peak, and my nervousness was quelled when I saw mine. It looked great!

There’s a lot of nervous excitement when you work with a new photographer. You don’t know their style and editing techniques, and you just hope you don’t come out looking like a bloated marshmallow (a cute one, though).

Peppe really took my wants to heart and framed his shots with as little interference as possible from nearby structures and people. He also gave a lot of depth between me and the background, which helped maximize that minimalist aesthetic. I was very pleased with the final products, even more so because he captured what I wanted to see in myself: that confident, glowing aura of someone who’s started exploring the world on her own and learned so much from it.

Yet, these photos are not indicative at all of how I felt physically. I was actually sick at the time (and apologized to my photographer for it), but it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. I wanted to portray a sense of gratitude for my journey in my photos, and Peppe somehow managed to capture both a healthy countenance and this inner essence. These are photos I can look back on with affection, pride, and some giggles.

Afterwards, you can choose to write a Travel Story for Flytographer’s website, joining thousands of others in sharing your tips and tricks for the location.

Is It Worth It?

Flytographer is definitely a luxury for the solo, budget traveller. You’ll have to calculate the costs and see if it’s something you’re willing to pay and prepare for. My own experience was 5-star worthy, and the photos are some of my favourites to this day. I still have them as my home and lock screen wallpapers!

Trinkets and souvenirs are all fun, but they may lose their luster after a while. Memories, however, last a lifetime. There’s no better way to capture a fleeting moment than with customized photos, and that’s where Flytographer wins.

Why These Photos are So Special

When I think about the past months of travelling and the changes I’ve made in my life to achieve that, I’m really proud of how far I’ve come in such a short time. Who would’ve imagined 10 years ago, or even 1 year ago, that I’d be traversing the world like I’ve always wanted to do.

It hasn’t been easy, and my perspectives have broadened on a lot of things, but every challenge has been a real eye-opener for me — to learn about myself and the cultures I encounter.

When I sat on the terrace at my hostel one day while sick, I suddenly felt so grateful that I was there. Yes, I was ill and coughing, but look at me — I was literally sitting in the Google photos I searched up.

Being sick really makes you appreciate the privilege of being healthy. If anything, this has emphasized to me the importance of taking care of yourself.

These photos represent a budding explorer with gratitude, wellness, and self-sufficiency in mind. They are a reminder to me of my own strength and resilience.