Your photo becomes a Dutch masterpiece in 20 minutes.

I love the way Britt and Peter guide you through the whole shoot, and I especially like that you choose a famous portrait and get dressed in the matching period costume. The one thing to consider is that the experience is quick, so you will want to arrive ready to pick your look and do the poses without overthinking.

The studio setup is also a big win: it’s only 10 meters from Dam Square, so this feels like a fun city stop, not a production. With pricing around $43 per person and a final set that includes prints plus an emailed original file, it’s a strong value if you like tangible souvenirs that aren’t just photos on your phone.

Key things you should know before you go

• 10 meters from Dam Square at Museumfoto, easy to combine with a New Church walk
• Britt and Peter help you choose and pose, plus they’re born and raised Dutch
• Handmade costumes by Britt, with new options added every few months
• Pick your favorite from a small set of photos, then get prints made for you
• You leave with multiple keepsakes: 2 small prints, 1 enlargement, plus a postcard and a 4MB email file

Costumed Dutch Golden Age Portraits by Dam Square

This is one of those Amsterdam experiences that sounds quirky until you realize it’s exactly the kind of memory-making you can only do here. You step into the look of Dutch masters and famous subjects from the Golden Age, then you get photographed in that role—like the art is temporarily about you.

I like that the concept is simple: you choose a portrait style, you get dressed, and you pose. No long explanation, no waiting around for hours. And because the studio is so close to the center (Dam Square), you can treat it as a quick creative break between sightseeing blocks.

You’ll see options inspired by works and personas like The Milkmaid, Girl with the Pearl Earring, Prince William of Orange, The Happy Drinker, and Rembrandt van Rijn in Circles. In spring 2017, there were costume choices including William the 2nd and Maria Stuart, so the lineup can shift by season.

Meeting at Museumfoto: Easy to Find and Easy to Add On

Your meeting point is Museumfoto, Eggertstraat 2, Amsterdam, right by Dam Square. The instructions are practical: walk around the New Church and you will always find it. That matters, because when a photo studio is in the middle of tourist foot traffic, being able to spot the place fast saves time and stress.

The shoot itself is short—about 20 minutes—which is a big deal for planning. Amsterdam days add up quickly: lines, walking, canals, queues, then suddenly it’s 5 p.m. and you forgot to do a souvenir. This kind of time-boxed activity makes it easier to fit in without rearranging everything.

The good news is that it ends back at the meeting point. So you don’t have to puzzle out transportation or where to go next once you’re dressed and photographed.

Picking Your Portrait Look with Britt and Peter

When you arrive, Britt and Peter welcome you in their small, cozy studio. This is a hands-on, guided experience, not a self-serve photo booth. You start by selecting what kind of portrait you want, and they help you along with the choices.

One reason this works so well is that the portrait choice affects everything else: costume, pose, and the final look. If you like the idea of being photographed as a specific type of character, you’ll get the most satisfaction by treating your selection like a mini decision game: pick the artwork vibe that matches what you want your memory to feel like.

The costumes are handmade by Britt, which is where a lot of the authenticity comes from. Rather than generic “costume shop” clothes, you get a tailored period look with attributes meant to support the portrait theme.

Also, they mention that every few months there are more choices. If you’re going back to Amsterdam later, or if you’re traveling with friends over different dates, the wardrobe options may feel different. That’s a nice way to keep the experience from feeling repetitive.

The Photoshoot: Guidance, Poses, and Period Costume Details

Once you’ve chosen your look, you get dressed in your period costume of choice. Then the photographer takes a couple of photos while Britt and Peter guide you through the poses and the overall presentation.

This “guided posing” part is one of the most praised elements for a reason. A lot of people worry they won’t know what to do in front of a camera—especially when the theme is historical art. Having a Dutch host walk you through pose adjustments makes it easier to relax and get better results fast.

The studio also provides beautiful backgrounds, which helps the final images feel like more than just you in a costume. Since the time window is short, the background and set design do the heavy lifting for the visual effect.

What to expect in practice: you’ll be dressed, a few photos will be taken, and you’ll then pick the one you like best. That selection step is important because it puts control in your hands. You are not just receiving whatever gets printed—you get to choose the best version.

Choosing Your Final Print: The Handy Keepsake Package

After you select your favorite photo, you get the printed output right as part of the package. Included keepsakes are:

• 2 prints (10×15 cm)
• 1 print enlargement (15×23)
• A postcard made from your image
• A digital email of the original file (about 4MB)

Frames are not included, and extra prints are also optional if you want more. That tradeoff makes sense: you’re paying for the core experience and the key outputs, not for a frame you might or might not like.

I like this bundle because it gives you options. The smaller prints are easy to share or keep in a scrapbook, and the enlargement is the one you can actually hang or display. The postcard is a fun add-on too, especially if you like sending yourself (or someone else) a physical reminder of a specific moment.

The email of the original file is a modern touch that helps if you want to crop, re-save, or just keep a high-quality version on your device.

Price and Value: What $43 Gets You in Amsterdam

At around $43 per person, the real question is value: what do you get that’s meaningfully better than a quick selfie?

You’re paying for three things that cost time and skill:

1. A professional photographer who handles framing and the shoot flow.
2. Costumes and attributes for a specific portrait concept, with handmade costume work by Britt.
3. The finished products: multiple prints, a postcard, and the emailed original file.

If you compare this to the typical souvenir strategy in Amsterdam—postcards, magnets, or relying on phone photos—this is different. You leave with print-ready memories, not just a file you might never print. And since the studio is near Dam Square, you also avoid spending extra time and money traveling far for a one-off photo.

The 20-minute duration supports the value too. You’re not paying for a half-day event; you’re paying for a compact, guided photo experience with real outputs.

Who This Works Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

This experience fits best if you like:

• creative souvenirs that feel personal
• getting photographed without having to figure out poses yourself
• a guided activity you can do in a busy central area
• stepping into a costume theme rather than just watching art from behind glass

It’s also a good match if you want an activity that doesn’t depend on weather. Since this is an indoor studio shoot, rainy days in Amsterdam don’t derail your plan the way they can with canal cruises or outdoor walking tours.

A possible mismatch: if you hate dressing up, or if you want a long, slow experience with lots of time for wandering and exploring, this isn’t that. The whole thing is designed to be quick—about 20 minutes—so it’s more “make the memory” than “hang out for hours.”

Smart Tips to Get Better Results in 20 Minutes

With a short timeframe, a little preparation makes the difference between fine photos and photos you actually love.

First, decide your portrait style early. Don’t wait until you’re standing there to think it through. When you’re ready to choose the costume/portrait you want, you can spend less time hesitating and more time getting the photos right.

Second, wear something that’s comfortable to move in. You’ll be in costume and in pose, so you want to focus on acting natural rather than adjusting clothing or shoes.

Third, lean into the guidance. Britt and Peter guide you through poses and costume presentation, so treat it like instruction, not like a performance you have to invent from scratch. The easier you make it for the photographer and hosts, the better your final selection will be.

Finally, give yourself a little buffer time around Dam Square. The meeting spot is easy to find, but central Amsterdam has thick foot traffic. Arriving with a calm minute or two helps you enjoy the experience instead of rushing through it.

FAQ

How long is Become the Art you See?

The photo shoot and experience last about 20 minutes.

Where do I meet for the studio session?

You meet at Museumfoto, Eggertstraat 2, Amsterdam. It’s about 10 meters from Dam Square, near the New Church.

What photos and prints do I get included?

You get a photo shoot by a professional photographer, 2 prints (10×15 cm), and 1 enlargement (15×23). You also receive a postcard, and the original file is sent by email (about 4MB).

Can I choose which Dutch master style or character I’m photographed as?

Yes. You choose with guidance what kind of portrait you want and you’ll be dressed in the matching period costume. Costume choices can change every few months.

Is there an emailed digital copy of my photos?

Yes. You receive an email with the original file (about 4MB).

Is the studio accessible for wheelchair users?

The activity is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included and not included?

Included: photo shoot, use of costumes and attributes, 2 small prints, one enlargement, a postcard, and an email with the original file. Not included: frames and extra prints.

Should You Book This Studio Photo Shoot?

Yes, if you want a souvenir that looks like you stepped into famous Dutch art for real. For the price, you’re buying more than a photo: you’re getting a guided costume shoot near Dam Square and finished prints plus a digital file.

I’d skip it only if you strongly dislike dressing up or you’re looking for a long sightseeing program. If you want a quick, fun, very central experience with a clear result in hand, this one is a great bet.