REVIEW · SANTORINI PHOTO SHOOTS
Santorini Private Photo Shoot – Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Thanos Rivios · Bookable on Viator
A good Santorini photo session should feel easy. This one is built around a private shoot in Imerovigli, guided by photographer Thanos Rivios, with a focus on getting you placed for the best views without stiff posing. I especially like the fact that you get direction throughout, plus professionally edited images optimized for social media.
What I like most is the mix of quality and options. You’ll receive around 50 edited photos for a 1-hour session (and you can choose express editing or request additional file types later). The one possible drawback: you’re meeting in Imerovigli on your own, since there’s no hotel pickup/drop-off.
The rest is pretty straightforward. You pass by the area near the Blue Dome church in Imerovigli (no admission ticket needed for that stop), and the session runs long enough to try a few scenic angles. Just know that Photoshop-style manipulation isn’t included, so the work is about real photo editing, not heavy digital makeovers.
In This Review
- Key takeaways for your Santorini shoot
- Santorini photo shoot in Imerovigli: why this spot makes sense
- Meeting at La Maltese Caldera Concept in Imerovigli
- What the one-hour session actually feels like
- The Blue Dome church stop and view hunting, without the tourist stampede
- Photo delivery timeline: selecting images, then editing
- Optional upgrades: express editing, high-resolution, and raw files
- Price and value: is $102.41 per person worth it
- Who should book this private photo shoot
- A few practical considerations before you go
- Should you book this private Santorini photo shoot with Thanos Rivios?
- FAQ
- How long is the Santorini private photo shoot?
- What edited photo package do I get?
- When will I receive the edited photos?
- Can I pay for faster editing?
- Are raw files included?
- Are high-resolution photos included?
- Does the experience include hotel pickup or drop-off?
- Where is the meeting point?
- Is this really private for just my group?
- Are children allowed?
- Is there free cancellation?
Key takeaways for your Santorini shoot

- Private session for only your group, with a professional director to help you pose
- 1-hour morning photoshoot is part of the experience, starting in Imerovigli
- ~50 edited photos for the 1-hour session, with social-media optimized resolution
- Timing that makes sense: you’ll pick images, then receive edited files about a week after selection
- Add-ons available: express 24-hour editing for an extra fee and optional raw/high-resolution files
Santorini photo shoot in Imerovigli: why this spot makes sense

If you want a Santorini “wow” photo without turning your day into a nonstop scramble, Imerovigli is a smart base. It’s known for dramatic views over the caldera, and this session is built around that look. The experience centers on one main area rather than trying to sprint across the island.
I like that the shoot is concentrated. Fewer moving parts means less stress on you, and more time with the camera. In the middle of all that scenery, the focus stays on you: placement, posing guidance, and picking angles that actually photograph well.
You also get a built-in visual reference point. The session includes passing by the Blue Dome church area in Imerovigli, a recognizable detail that signals you’re doing a true Santorini-style shoot rather than a generic “standing in front of a cliff” photo.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Santorini
Meeting at La Maltese Caldera Concept in Imerovigli

This starts at La Maltese Caldera Concept (address listed as CCMC+6V, Imerovigli 847 00, Greece). You return to the same meeting point at the end. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to arrive on time under your own steam.
That’s not a dealbreaker, but it matters. Santorini can be hilly and parking can be its own puzzle, so you’ll want to map your route before you rely on taxis or last-minute navigation. If you’re near public transportation, you’ll likely find it easier to get there.
You’ll also get practical confirmation after booking. The tour includes a mobile ticket option, and the session language listed is English.
What the one-hour session actually feels like
The core experience is a private photo shoot, roughly an hour for the included session. In practical terms, that gives enough time for:
- A few different poses and expressions
- Several changes in camera angle
- Enough time for the photographer to refine composition as the light shifts
The biggest advantage here is direction. A lot of people freeze in front of a camera. This shoot isn’t a “go wander and hope” plan. You’ll be guided with positioning so you don’t feel stiff or awkward, and you get moved to photogenic spots as needed.
One more detail that shows up in the experience style: some of the scenic points can involve tricky footing. Imerovigli’s views often mean uneven walkways, terraces, and rooftops. The session is still designed for most people to participate, but if you have mobility issues or you’re nervous on uneven surfaces, it’s worth thinking carefully before booking.
The Blue Dome church stop and view hunting, without the tourist stampede

This is not a multi-stop sightseeing tour. There’s a simple stop: the Imerovigli area where you pass by the Blue Dome church. The session time for that part is listed at about 1 hour, and the admission ticket for that stop is free.
Why this matters for your photos: a single targeted area lets the photographer refine the same background in different ways. Instead of swapping continents of scenery, you get consistent Santorini framing—arches, domes, and caldera views—while still trying variations in distance and angle.
In plain language, you’re buying time. Time for the photographer to find what works in real life: lighting angle, your body position, and the best background lines behind you.
Photo delivery timeline: selecting images, then editing

Here’s the part that affects your expectations, and I like that the process is clearly defined. You’ll get edited images sent to your email after 7 days of your picture selection.
You’ll also hear a broader edited-photo expectation tied to the shoot length. The highlight info notes around 45 professionally edited photos after about two weeks, and the included details describe around 50 edited photos for the 1-hour session. In practice, that lines up with a workflow like: shoot → select your favorites → editing → delivery.
Two weeks is normal for quality editing. Seven days after selection is the key detail if you’re planning a specific deadline for social posts, printing, or sending photos to family.
One more useful point: the photos you get are edited and optimized for social media use. That usually means the color, contrast, and sharpness are adjusted for how most platforms display images.
Optional upgrades: express editing, high-resolution, and raw files

This is where the value gets flexible. If you want faster results or different file types, you can pay for it.
- Express editing is available with a 24-hour turnaround for an extra fee.
- High-resolution photos are available for a fee.
- Raw images can be obtained later for an additional cost, listed as +150.
Raw files retention is also included for a period. The experience states that raw files are retained for 6 months. That’s a nice safety net if you want to revisit your set after you’ve downloaded everything and lived with the images for a bit.
What’s not included is also important: Photoshop-style manipulation is not part of the package. So if you’re hoping for heavy digital changes (like swapping backgrounds or big composite edits), you’ll need to manage expectations and plan around what standard photo editing can do.
Price and value: is $102.41 per person worth it

At $102.41 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to get a few pictures in Santorini. It is, however, priced like a real private service: time with a professional photographer, guidance, shooting in one focused area, and professionally edited deliverables.
Here’s where the math gets fair:
- You’re not paying for random snapshots. You’re paying for direction plus editing.
- You’re getting about 50 edited photos for a 1-hour session.
- Editing delivery is tracked by a selection step, with a defined turnaround after you pick images.
- You have optional upgrades if you need speed (express) or different file formats (raw/high-res).
If you’re the kind of traveler who usually hires a pro, you’ll likely feel this is a reasonable value for Santorini. If you’re trying to spend as little as possible, a cheaper phone tripod and self-shot can work. But if you want photos that actually look intentional—composition, angle, and lighting—this price is closer to the going rate for that outcome.
Also note that it’s often booked about 29 days in advance on average. That suggests demand stays steady, and you’ll have an easier time picking a time slot if you book earlier.
Who should book this private photo shoot

This is a strong fit if you want:
- A private session (no strangers in your frame)
- Clear posing help, especially if you’re not a confident model
- Photos for an event where you’ll want quality files, like anniversary portraits or wedding-invitation style imagery
- A set of edited images designed for sharing quickly
It can also work well for families, as the shoot time is built for a group to get directed rather than each person guessing their pose.
If you’re traveling solo and want something calmer than a bus tour, the private format still gives you personal attention. You get someone actively finding angles instead of relying on luck.
A few practical considerations before you go
Let’s keep it honest: the experience is private and well organized, but a few factors are worth knowing ahead of time.
- Meeting point only: there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to handle your own arrival.
- No Photoshop manipulation: expect professional photo editing, not major digital transformations.
- Footing matters at scenic spots: some locations can involve rooftops or uneven areas, so consider your comfort level.
- Add-ons cost extra: express editing, raw images, and high-resolution copies all have listed fees, so decide what you truly need.
If you mostly want social media posts and a polished set, the included edited photos likely cover it. If you plan print work or want maximum flexibility later, consider whether raw or high-res upgrades are worth your budget.
Should you book this private Santorini photo shoot with Thanos Rivios?
I’d book it if you want a low-stress way to capture Santorini properly, with a photographer who directs you and delivers edited images you can use right away. The combination of private attention, a focused Imerovigli setting (including the Blue Dome church area), and a defined editing workflow makes it feel reliable.
Skip it or think twice if you want major Photoshop-style alterations, or if you really don’t want to handle meeting logistics on your own. Also consider your comfort on uneven scenic areas.
Overall, if photography matters to you more than checking off ten attractions, this is a sensible use of time in Santorini. You’ll come away with a set of edited images that look intentional, not accidental.
FAQ
How long is the Santorini private photo shoot?
The experience duration is listed as 30 minutes to 2 hours, with a 1-hour morning photoshoot included.
What edited photo package do I get?
For the 1-hour session, you receive around 50 edited photos (the experience also references around 45 edited photos in the delivery highlights).
When will I receive the edited photos?
You’ll receive edited images by email after 7 days of your picture selection.
Can I pay for faster editing?
Yes. Express editing with a 24-hour turnaround is available for an extra fee (+50).
Are raw files included?
Raw files are retained for 6 months. If you want to obtain raw images, you can request them for an additional fee (+150).
Are high-resolution photos included?
High-resolution photos are available for a fee, but the specific price for high-resolution copies is not listed in the details provided.
Does the experience include hotel pickup or drop-off?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point is La Maltese Caldera Concept in Imerovigli (address listed as CCMC+6V, Imerovigli 847 00, Greece). The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is this really private for just my group?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.
Are children allowed?
Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

































