In my opinion, the best souvenirs to bring back home with you are photographs. What better way to reminisce and relive your trip than through memorable snapshots? While visiting Bali for the first time with my husband, I wanted to make sure we captured not only the beauty of this part of the world, but our joy and excitement from being here as well. Thatās where Localgrapher came in!
Localgrapher provides fantastic local photographers and videographers for your vacation photo needs. They are located in over 600 destinations around the globe, and lucky for us, there were plenty to choose from while we were in Ubud, Bali! One we selected our destination, we chose a local photographer named Toyoda Michael, and filled out a short booking form. They reached out very quickly and arranged all the meeting details. They always promise to confirm your reservation within 48 hours, and thatās exactly what they did.
Our Silver Package, which is best for couples, included a 60-minute photo shoot and 35 HD photos. As a local, our photographer knew where the best spot was to take atmospheric photos in the early morning. Therefore, we ended up at Pura Gunung Lebah Temple which was only about a 20 minute drive from where we were staying at the Viceroy Hotel.
As far as the temple, it is clear once you arrive why itās one of Ubudās central landmarks. Dating back to the 8th century, it goes back to the time of the historical Hindu priest Rsi Markendeya. This man impressively built most of the major temples on the island. Pura Gunung Lebah loosely translates to āmountain valley templeā in old Balinese. Similar to most of the ancient temples in Bali, the temple is set amongst lush and natural surroundings.
I loved being surrounded by a bamboo forest, and having the Campuhun River flowing just below it. Thankfully, the temple is at a distance from the main road and at a low elevation, making it very peaceful and quiet. We visited in the early morning when almost no one was there so that was another advantage of booking with Localgrapher. They certainly knew the best time to come to not only get the best experience, but the best photos as well!
As for the photoshoot, it is up to you to decide with the photographer what kind of shots youāre looking for. This can include anything from portraits, candid shots, or staged ones. Our photographer was a professional and was happy to advise us on the best style, but respected our needs as well. Both my husband and I felt very at ease, and we enjoyed taking both staged and candid shots together around the temple. It was raining a bit in the morning, but that didnāt stop our fun. Localgraphers will hold photo shoots rain or shine. However, they are flexible if you want to move your photo shoot to a different day. Just let them know ahead of time and they will do their best to accommodate!
Once we were back at our hotel, we decided to snap a few more shots there as well. The Viceroy in Ubud is a luxurious property with so many picturesque spots, so we made sure to take advantage of that.
In terms of what happens after our photoshoot, I was very happy with the experience. On their website, they promise to send you your edited, high definition photos within 4 business days (or 2 weeks if you did video). I received the photos after a few days, and I was very pleased with their speed and professionalism throughout the shoot and afterwards. In any package with them, they will also store your photos for up to 2 years incase you somehow lose them.
Thereās quite a few packages you can choose from with Localgrapher. Whether youāre a solo traveler, a couple, or in a group, thereās going to be a perfect package for what you need. They are so confident in their services, that they offer a 100% money back guarantee! If you donāt like your online gallery once they send it to you via email, you can contact them within a week and claim your money back. Thatās how confident they are with their services, as they should be.
Localgrapher also makes for a great gift to a fellow travel enthusiast! You can send someone a gift card which can be applied to any of their photo shoot packages, and the card will never expire. In my opinion, this is a great gift to give someone celebrating a recent engagement, birthday, anniversary, pregnancy, or any other special occasion. In addition to a gift card, you can also gift a hand-made photo book that they will receive with all of their precious new photos. The album will be a soft-touch padded hardback covered in metallic gold. All of these photo albums are high quality with lay flat binding. It comes neatly packaged in a gift box as well and they ship worldwide. What more could you possibly want?!
I know Iāll be using Localgrapher for my next holiday, and I hope you do as well. Travel creates memories that will last a lifetime, and Localgrapher makes sure you can take those memories home with you as a tangible keepsake!
Pin This!
Heather
June 18, 2019 at 10:16 pmI have never heard of Localgrapher, but I am ecstatic to learn about it! I totally agree with you that it is the perfect thing to hire for a vacation because photos are my favorite souvenir. It does make a great gift (hello new Christmas and birthday list items for me) and I love that they are so confident that they offer a money-back guarantee. Win-win for sure!
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 12:56 amIt’s a total win-win!
mariah
June 19, 2019 at 1:38 amThese pictures are beautiful! This is such a great idea! Plus, you get to find out all the cool local spots!
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 12:58 amYes I loved learning about the local spots!
FS Page
June 19, 2019 at 7:27 amHad never heard of a localographer before. We always miss out on clicking our photos together when visiting a place. Hiring localographer sounds awesome to capture precious memories. Thanks for the insight and beautiful photos.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 12:58 amYes, so many precious memories!
Autumn (Biscotti and a Ph.D.)
June 19, 2019 at 9:35 amPictures are definitely the best souvenirs! I had no idea this service existed…it’s such a great idea because I’m always hesitant to ask random strangers to take our picture, so we always just end up with pics of one of us. Thanks for sharing this!
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 12:59 amI’m glad you agree!
Ketki
June 20, 2019 at 7:59 amI have never really thought of using a localgrapher though from your tips, it looks like a good idea. Being a photographer myself I always end up having no photos of self (and i hate selfies). Definitely will think of this in my next vacation.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:00 amI’m so glad you’ll consider Localgrapher!
Mohana
June 20, 2019 at 1:12 pmSounds like an absolutely fabulous idea. Localgrapher sounds like they know how to provide travelers with photographers who both know where to shoot and how to get that best snapshot. The photos in this post speak for that. Thank you for sharing š
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:00 amHappy to share!
The Holidaymaker
June 20, 2019 at 2:40 pmI have heard of this. I know a lot of talented expats offer this service and target travellers from their home country as a way to generate income while living overseas.
What I would like to do is hire a local photographer and have them show you the best places for photos. Not that I ever want to be in them, but is is more of a photography lesson/secret places.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:44 pmYes, I think you’d still love it!
Maryal
June 20, 2019 at 5:51 pmThis is such a good idea and we’ve often toyed with doing this – this is a sign that next time, we need to jump in! Definitely need to check Localgrapher out to make it easy for us to do this. Thanks for the tip!
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:44 pmYou’re welcome, I’m happy to share š
Alice L. Ford
June 20, 2019 at 6:57 pmWhat a fun idea! I would love to do this with my boyfriend on our next trip, we are great at taking shots of the landscapes but never get any together. Bali is just stunning, what a gorgeous place to have fun pictures from.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:44 pmI was in the same boat so I’m happy to get some photos with my husband!
Sam Sees World
June 24, 2019 at 4:33 pmI’d honestly never heard of a localgrapher, but this idea intrigues me. My boyfriend is always moaning about having to take photos of me and this is the perfect way to stop that.
Also, your photos turned out amazing! You look lovely.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:45 pmThank you so much, definitely consider them for your next trip and give your boyfriend a break š
Nic
June 25, 2019 at 2:14 amI think this is such a nice idea, it’s perfect so you can just relax and enjoy yourself without having to think about taking photos and in the knowledge that someone professional is getting amazing shots for you. I think photos are such an important part of the memories we create when travelling so this is an idea way to get the perfect shots.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:46 pmYes, we definitely were able to enjoy ourselves more!
Shreya Saha
June 25, 2019 at 1:16 pmI am back from Bali a month ago, and yes the place is so photogenic. Well I wasn’t aware of Localgrapher but I think that’s a great idea to use their services especially when you are in such a picturesque place with your partner. You are so lucky that you stayed in Viceroy Bali. It is too expensive for me. I am glad you took the advantage of getting pictures clicked there also.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:47 pmNow you know for your next trip š
Carol Colborn
June 25, 2019 at 7:23 pmI have never heard of a localgrapher. Glad to know such a service exists for 600 locations around the world. I wonder how expensive it is?
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:48 pmHi Carol, the packages start at $250.
Tania Muthusamy
June 26, 2019 at 9:07 amIt’s nice to know a service such as this exists, if I decide to get a professional photographer for one of my future trips. Will keep this for future reference.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:48 pmGlad to hear it, Tania!
Michael Hodgson
June 27, 2019 at 4:37 pmCount me among the many who had never heard of localgrapher. Certainly an interesting idea … rather like traveling with your very own paparazzi knowing you are the only ones seeing the photos you paid for, and not the National Enquirer.
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:49 pmHa, yes exactly!
Maggie
June 27, 2019 at 7:24 pmI LOVE this idea. I love taking photos on my trips (hello, fellow travel blogger here haha) but I’m not a photographer. It would be nice to have actually legitimately nice photos taken of me on my trips, and by someone who knows the best places!
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:49 pmYes I am in the same boat so I really loved Localgrapher!
melody pittman
June 28, 2019 at 6:27 pmAw…I loved your photos. They really captured the sweet and inquisitive side of you Carmen. š I’d never heard of this company before. I did win a shoot by a similar one for an Orlando shoot a few years ago and while they did a great job, Taylor and I looked horrible in the photos. LOL We were newbies. š
Carmen Edelson
July 14, 2019 at 1:50 pmAw, sorry about that experience! And thank you so much, I’d give this company a shot for your next trip š
Douglas Mbugua
August 29, 2019 at 12:21 pmThanks for sharing such insights about capturing vacation photos. It is an art many people don’t get right. Looking forward to seeing more articles from you about your travel.
Carmen Edelson
September 6, 2019 at 2:27 pmCan’t wait to keep sharing, stay tuned!