Your best friend’s birthday is coming up, and you’re tired of wrapping another candle. A best friends photoshoot turns the occasion into something you do together – two or three of you, professionally styled, laughing in front of the camera. Here’s how it works in Hamburg, what it costs, and how to get ready.
What is a best friends photoshoot?
A best friends photoshoot is a joint beauty and portrait session for two to four close friends, shot together in a professional studio. At BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg it takes place in our photo studio in Hamburg-Altona, lasts roughly 30–60 minutes in front of the camera, includes professional make-up, and starts at €79 per person. You pose side by side, the photographer guides every frame, and each of you leaves with her own edited images.
It’s worth drawing one quick line: a best friends shoot is for any group of friends and any occasion. A hen-party session is built around a bride-to-be and her crew, which is a different mood and a different setup – if that’s what you’re planning, our JGA photoshoot guide covers it. This article is about the rest of us: a birthday, a friendship that’s lasted a decade, or simply wanting an experience instead of a thing.
Why book a best friends photoshoot?
The honest answer: it’s an experience you keep. Gadgets get replaced and flowers fade, but a morning where you both got dressed up, got pampered, and got photographed becomes a memory you’ll point to for years. There’s a confidence boost in it too – seeing yourself styled and lit properly tends to surprise people in the best way.
Privacy is a big part of why it feels relaxed. Our studio is a closed, private space – no walk-in audience, no other groups watching, no rush. That matters when you’re trying out poses you’d never do in public and giggling your way through the awkward first few. High-volume chains move groups through on a clock; we compose every shot individually. Expect a considered set of frames, not a thousand rapid-fired ones you’ll never look at.
How a best friends shoot works, step by step
Wondering what to keep in mind for a photoshoot when there are two or three of you? The flow is simple, and you don’t need any camera experience – here’s the whole thing from booking to download.
- Book a slot online. Pick a time that suits the group; we shoot seven days a week, so weekends and quieter weekdays both work. Each friend books her own session.
- Arrive at the studio in Hamburg-Altona. Come with clean, dry hair and a bare face – we’ll handle the make-up. There’s free parking nearby.
- Make-up, one after another. Our make-up artist works on each of you in turn, usually 20–35 minutes per person, using professional make-up brands. (Note: make-up is included; hairstyling is not.)
- The shoot itself, about 30–60 minutes. The photographer directs every pose, so all you do is follow along and have fun. You’ll do solo frames and plenty together – classic, playful, glamorous, natural.
- Individually composed frames. We compose each shot with care, rather than spraying off bursts you’ll never look at.
- View the photos together on screen. Right after the shoot you sit down and look through the gallery as a group.
- Choose your favourites – no obligation to buy more. Your session already includes one fully edited image; any extras are entirely up to you.
- Digital delivery in full resolution. Your chosen pictures are delivered as high-resolution digital files, ready to print or share.
Pose and style ideas for two or three
Poses for groups are the fun part, and you don’t have to plan them – the photographer does. Back-to-back, leaning in cheek to cheek, one seated and one standing behind, mid-laugh candids, or a clean row of confident straight-to-camera looks. With three friends there’s even more to play with: a triangle composition, a close huddle, or each person taking a turn in the spotlight while the others frame her.
On style, you’ve got two easy directions. Coordinated outfits – matching tones or a shared colour story – read as a unit and look striking together. Contrasting outfits let each personality stand out. Both work; just decide as a group beforehand. You can lean glamorous with bolder make-up and dramatic studio backgrounds, or keep it soft and natural. Small props – a favourite jacket, sunglasses, a bottle of something to toast with – add personality without taking over. For more on putting looks together, our outfit guide and our beauty shoot page are good starting points.
How to prepare: outfit tips for groups
A little prep makes a noticeable difference on the day. Coordinate as a group first, then have each person follow the same basics.
- Arrive with a bare face – the make-up artist starts from scratch.
- Wash and dry your hair beforehand (we do make-up, not hairstyling).
- Bring two to three outfits each, so you have options on screen.
- Solid colours photograph better than busy patterns or loud logos.
- Avoid tight bra straps and sock cuffs – they leave marks that show on bare shoulders and legs.
- Iron or steam anything that creases; wrinkles are obvious under studio light.
- Talk through your looks together so the group reads as intentional, whether matching or contrasting.
What does a best friends photoshoot cost?
A best friends photoshoot in Hamburg starts at €79 per person. That session fee covers professional make-up and at least one fully edited digital image in full resolution. Each friend books and pays for her own slot, and each receives her own pictures – so the per-person price is exactly what it says.
What does a single photo cost beyond that? Nothing extra is required. After the shoot you view the full gallery and choose any additional images you’d like, with no obligation to buy more than the one already included. On the rare package where make-up isn’t part of the session fee, it can be added for a small additional fee per person. You can see the full breakdown on our prices and packages page, and our blog post what a photoshoot costs goes into more detail.
Why BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg
We’ve been photographing people in Hamburg since 2004 – over 20 years and more than 25,000 customers, rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google. The studio is a private, exclusive space, not a conveyor belt, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying on a new look with your best friends.
Will your photos be published anywhere? No. We never publish or share any image without your written consent – your pictures are yours. And do you need experience in front of the camera? Not at all. The photographer guides every pose, most people who walk in have never done a studio shoot, and they leave with images they love. You can read what other guests say on our reviews page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a best friends photoshoot cost per person?
At BEAUTYSHOTS Hamburg a best friends photoshoot starts at €79 per person. That session fee includes professional make-up and at least one fully edited digital image in full resolution. Each friend books her own session, so everyone pays for and receives her own pictures. Additional images are optional and chosen after the shoot, with no obligation to buy.
How does the shoot work when we come as a group?
You arrive together at our studio in Hamburg-Altona. The make-up artist styles each person in turn (about 20–35 minutes each), then the photographer shoots the group and individual portraits over roughly 30–60 minutes. Afterwards you view everything together on screen and choose your favourites. Your chosen images are delivered digitally in full resolution.
How many friends can join one shoot?
Two to four friends works best, so there’s time to style and photograph everyone properly without anyone feeling rushed. Each person books her own slot at €79. If you’re a larger group, get in touch and we’ll help you plan the timing.
What should we wear?
Bring two to three outfits each and decide as a group whether to coordinate your looks or contrast them – both photograph well. Solid colours beat busy patterns, and it’s worth ironing anything that creases. Avoid tight bra straps and sock cuffs, which leave marks on bare skin. Come with clean, dry hair and no make-up; we take care of the make-up in the studio.
Will our photos be published?
No. We never publish, post, or share any image without your written consent. Everything is shot in a private, closed studio, and the pictures belong to you.
How is this different from a JGA (hen party) shoot?
A best friends photoshoot suits any group of friends for any occasion – a birthday, a reunion, or just a day together. A JGA shoot is built specifically around a bride-to-be and her wedding crew, with a celebration theme. If you’re planning a hen party, see our dedicated JGA photoshoot guide instead.
Ready to book your shoot together?
Grab your best friends, pick a date, and make it a day you’ll actually remember. You can book your photoshoot online seven days a week, or reach us directly – call 040 / 18 00 88 0 or email hamburg@beauty-shots.de and we’ll help you plan it. Questions first? Our contact page is the place to start.