Reviewed · PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS
Photography and Filming with drone and camera
Bacalar is best remembered in motion: a walk beside the lagoon, a splash at the water’s edge, or a wide aerial view that shows the full sweep of this famous Mexican lake. This private session puts Mehran behind the camera, using both standard photography and a drone to record your time in town and around the water.
I like the flexible route, since you can focus on Bacalar’s city and lagoon instead of following a fixed sightseeing script. I also like the group price of $92.60 for up to six people, especially when the final package includes edited photo and video material.
The main consideration is weather. Drone work and outdoor portraits depend on good conditions, and admission to the lake area is not included. Bring water, allow time to meet at the stated address, and treat the two-hour schedule as a focused photo session rather than a full sightseeing tour.
Key points to know before booking

- Two hours with both camera and drone: You receive two different types of images, from close portraits to wide overhead views.
- Private for up to six people: Your group does not share the session with strangers, so the pace and subject can be adjusted to your needs.
- Mehran handles the photography: He is described as prompt, professional, patient, and willing to get wet for the right shot.
- Town and lagoon locations are possible: You can shape the session around Bacalar’s streets, the water, or a mix of both.
- Edited files are included: The service includes editing of the photos and videos, not just unprocessed camera files.
- Good weather matters: A poor-weather cancellation brings a choice of another date or a full refund.
What this Bacalar photo session is really for

This is not a standard history tour or a long boat outing. It is a personal record of your time in Bacalar, built around images you can keep and share after you leave.
That difference matters. Many people visit the lagoon with a phone, take a few quick pictures, and later find that everyone is missing from the best views. A private photographer solves that problem. You can appear in the frame together, ask for individual portraits, or focus on a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, family trip, or proposal.
The session uses both a regular camera and a drone. Camera work gives you closer, more personal images. Drone footage adds height and scale, showing you against the lagoon rather than simply recording the water from shore. The result should give you a wider range of memories than a basic portrait appointment.
You also get edited photo and video material. That is important when you are paying for a professional session. Editing means the files are prepared after the shoot instead of being handed over as untouched images. The exact number of photos, video length, file format, and delivery method are not specified, so ask about those points before booking if they matter to you.
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Starting at Av 1 181 in Bacalar
The listed meeting point is Av 1 181, Mario Villanueva Madrid, Bacalar, Quintana Roo, postal code 77935. The activity ends back at this same meeting point.
That return detail keeps the arrangement simple. You are not left at a different part of town, and the service is private rather than a shared group departure. Since the meeting point is given as a street address rather than a named landmark, check the location carefully before the day of the shoot and leave enough time to arrive.
The session lasts about two hours. That is enough time for a planned set of portraits and location changes, but it is not an unlimited shoot. You will get better results if you decide in advance what matters most: family photographs, couple portraits, action shots, city scenes, lagoon views, or a balanced mix.
You can also tell Mehran what clothing, people, or moments should receive priority. The more clearly you explain your wishes at the start, the less time you spend making decisions while the clock is running.
Moving between Bacalar town and the lagoon

The route can include Bacalar’s city and the lagoon. This gives the session two different moods.
Town photographs can show local streets and the setting around your visit. These pictures are useful if you want a record of Bacalar as a place, not only a background of open water. You might choose relaxed walking shots, group portraits, or images that show the character of the Pueblo Mágico.
The lagoon offers a different kind of frame. The open water gives the photographer room to create broad views, while the shoreline allows for more intimate pictures. A drone can show the shape of your group in relation to the lake, something a phone held at eye level cannot do.
The route is customizable, but the supplied details do not promise a specific dock, swimming area, cenote, beach, or boat ride. Do not book this expecting a boat excursion. The service is centered on photography and videography around Bacalar, with admission tickets listed as extra.
A practical tip: wear clothes that work for both portraits and movement. One description of Mehran’s work notes that he got his clothes wet to capture the right picture. That suggests the photographer may take an active approach when the setting calls for it, but you should still ask what water access and clothing changes make sense for your chosen locations.
Why the drone footage changes the result

The drone is the feature that gives this experience its clearest difference from a normal photo session. A camera can frame expressions, clothing, and details. A drone can place the group within the larger scene.
That overhead view can be especially useful at Lake Bacalar, where the setting is part of the appeal. You are not simply posing in front of a generic wall. The lake itself becomes a major part of the image, and an aerial angle can show the relationship between your group, the shoreline, and the water.
Drone work does require suitable conditions. Wind, rain, and other poor weather can affect the shoot, which is why the experience requires good weather. If conditions make the activity impossible, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Keep that policy in mind if you are arranging the session around a flight home or a tightly packed holiday schedule.
The information provided does not state how many aerial images or videos you receive, nor how high the drone can fly. If those details are important, ask before paying. The clear promise is that aerial photography is part of the service, along with regular camera work and editing.
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A private group price of $92.60

The cost is $92.60 per group, for as many as six people. That makes the price easier to judge as a shared experience rather than a per-person tour.
For a couple, the cost is a personal photo-session fee. For a family or small group of six, the per-person cost drops sharply, making it a strong value if everyone wants usable images. The private format also means you are not paying to join a large mixed group with limited time in front of the camera.
Value depends on what you want delivered. If you mainly need a few casual snapshots, a friend with a phone may be enough. If you want both aerial views and edited camera material, this service offers more variety for the money.
The price does not include bottled water. It also does not include admission to the lake location, as the itinerary notes that the admission ticket is separate. Those extra costs may be small, but you should budget for them rather than treating the advertised price as the full amount for every part of the outing.
Working with Mehran during the shoot

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is the praise for Mehran’s working style. He is described as prompt, professional, patient, kind, and easy to work with. One especially useful detail says he got his clothes wet to capture a better image, which points to a photographer who pays attention to the setting rather than standing at a distance and taking the quickest possible shot.
That matters in a portrait session. People often need a little direction, especially when they are trying to pose as a group. Patience can help families, couples, and anyone who feels awkward in front of a lens.
The photographer is also praised for having a good eye and for capturing the experience in Bacalar effectively. You should still give clear instructions. Tell him who must be included, which images you want as a group, and whether you prefer posed pictures, candid movement, video clips, or aerial scenes.
The service is offered in English. That makes planning easier for English-speaking visitors, especially when you need to explain a preferred location or a particular type of shot.
What to bring and how to prepare

Bring drinking water, since bottled water is not included. Wear something comfortable enough for walking around town and spending time near the lagoon.
You should also bring any small personal items you want included in the pictures. These could be meaningful clothing, a hat, a picnic item, or another object tied to your trip. Do not overpack, though. The session is only about two hours, and too many changes can reduce the time available for actual photography.
Before meeting, decide on your priority list:
- One full-group photograph
- Individual or couple portraits
- Town scenes
- Lagoon views
- Drone images
- Short video clips
- More posed or more natural images
You do not need to plan every pose. A simple list helps the photographer use the time well while leaving room for spontaneous shots.
Because weather can cancel the session, avoid scheduling it at the very end of your Bacalar stay if the photographs are important. An earlier booking gives you a better chance to move the session to another day if rain or poor conditions interfere.
Who will get the most from this experience

This is a good fit for couples who want polished holiday portraits, families who rarely manage a complete group photograph, and small groups who can share the $92.60 price.
It also suits people who care about the setting as much as the people in the picture. The combination of town scenes, lagoon views, camera work, and drone footage lets you build a varied record of Bacalar rather than receiving a set of nearly identical poses.
The service may be less suitable if you want a guided cultural tour, a detailed explanation of Bacalar, a boat ride, or an all-day outing. The focus is photography and video. You can see the area while the session moves between locations, but sightseeing is secondary.
It is also worth considering your schedule. Two hours is a manageable commitment, yet the session may feel short if you want many people, several outfits, numerous locations, and extensive video. Pick a clear goal and you are more likely to feel satisfied with the result.
Booking, cancellation, and practical details
Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is private, and only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can take part, according to the supplied details.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellation within 24 hours brings no refund, and changes made within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Bacalar.
Weather is the key exception to keep in mind. If poor conditions force the activity to close, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy makes the weather risk more manageable, but it does not guarantee that a replacement date will fit your itinerary.
The activity is booked, on average, 11 days ahead. That is not a required lead time, but it suggests you should not wait until the last minute if you have a fixed travel schedule or need a particular date.
Should you book the Bacalar photography session?
Book it if you want a private, affordable way to record Bacalar with more variety than ordinary phone pictures can provide. The combination of edited camera images, video, and aerial drone shots is the main reason to choose it, and the shared group price is attractive for up to six people.
I would be especially inclined to book it for a family, couple, or small group with a clear reason for wanting professional images. Ask in advance about the number of edited files, delivery details, aerial footage, and any admission cost at your preferred lagoon location.
Skip it if your main goal is a guided tour or water activity. But if your holiday memories matter as much as your sightseeing plans, this two-hour session gives you a practical way to take Bacalar home with you.
FAQ
How long does the photography experience last?
The session lasts approximately two hours.
How many people can join?
The price covers one private group of up to six people.
Where does the activity start and finish?
It starts at Av 1 181, Mario Villanueva Madrid, 77935 Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and ends back at the same meeting point.
Are drone photographs included?
Yes. The experience includes aerial drone photography as well as regular camera photography.
Are the photos and videos edited?
Yes. Editing of the photo and video material is included.
Is bottled water included?
No. Bottled water is not included.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.
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