How to Choose a Photographer in Santorini: 6 Things to Check

Santorini has no shortage of photographers, and their websites can look very similar. Yet the photographer you choose decides how your photos look, and how relaxed you feel on the day. These six checks will help you tell the professionals from the rest, whoever you decide to book. At the end, the questions worth asking, and how we answer them.

1. Study the portfolio

A portfolio shows you a photographer's style faster than any description. Spend some time with it and ask yourself:

• Do the people look relaxed and natural, or stiff?
• Is the quality consistent across many photos, or only in a few highlights?
• Is the style one you like: bright and airy, warm and golden, dramatic?
• Do they photograph the kind of shoot you want: couples, families, flying dresses?

If you can picture yourself in their photos, you are on the right track. Ours is in the portfolio, 300 photos across our four destinations.

2. Read reviews from past clients

Reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and Facebook tell you what a portfolio can't: how the photographer made people feel, whether they were punctual, and whether the photos arrived on time. Look for patterns rather than single comments. Our own reviews are on Tripadvisor, opens in a new tab and Google: 4.9, from more than 500 reviews.

3. Look at their social media

Social media shows recent work, not just the best photos from years ago. It also gives you a feel for the photographer's personality and how they work with clients, from behind-the-scenes clips to how they reply to comments.

4. Ask about experience

An experienced Santorini photographer knows where the light is best at each time of day, which spots are crowded at sunset, and how to keep a shoot flowing when the wind picks up. They also take care of the logistics, so you don't have to. A good question to ask is whether you can see a complete gallery from a recent shoot, not only the edited highlights. A confident professional will be happy to show you.

5. Check that they work legally

Working with a registered business protects you. A legitimate photography business issues receipts or invoices; you are entitled to ask for them. The way a photographer takes payment is another clue: a professional offers secure options such as card payment, and you receive a written confirmation of what you booked. Be cautious if someone only accepts cash.

6. Agree on the full price

Talk about money early, even if it feels awkward. Ask what is included and what costs extra:

• How many photos you receive, and how many are retouched.
• Whether a dress, hair and makeup or an assistant is included.
• The cost of extending the shoot.
• Transport to the locations.
• How and when you receive the photos.

A clear, written price list avoids surprises. Very low prices often mean fewer photos, less editing or extra charges later.

Warning signs

Flying dress photoshoots have become popular, and with them very cheap offers from people who are not always photographers and not always on the island next month. We regularly hear from visitors who booked one and are now trying to find the person who has their photos. Be careful when you see several of these together:

• No business name, address or website, only an Instagram account and a WhatsApp number.
• No price list in writing, or a price that changes when you ask what is included.
• Payment in cash only, with no booking confirmation.
• Reviews that are all recent, all short, or all on one platform.
• No example of a complete delivered gallery, only a few highlights.
• No dresses of their own in your size, or no assistant on the shoot.
• Vague answers about when and how you receive the photos.

None of these alone proves anything; a photographer starting out may simply not have a website yet. But a booking is a promise about something that happens after you have paid, so look for the things that make that promise enforceable: a registered business, a written confirmation and a clear delivery date.

The questions to ask, and our answers

Ask any photographer these, and compare the answers with ours:

• How much does it cost, and what is included? Our packages and extras are listed with their prices on the pricing page, from €370. Every package includes a flying dress, every photo color corrected in full resolution and a set number of retouched photos.
• How do I pay? Online, securely, with Stripe: a 50% deposit secures your date, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your shoot.
• How many photos do I get, and when? All of them, through Dropbox, within the time your package states, then the retouched photos after you choose your favorites.
• Can I use the photos as I like? Yes. Unlimited usage rights are included in every package.
• Who else is on the shoot? Your photographer, and in most packages a personal assistant who makes the dress fly.
• What happens if the weather is bad? If it rains, we reschedule for the same or the next day when your plans allow it, or refund you; if the wind is too strong, we change the village.
• What is the day like? Read what to expect, step by step.

Choosing with confidence

The right photographer is one whose work you love, whose clients speak well of them, and who is open about how they work and what it costs. Still have questions? Our questions before booking answer the ones we hear most.