25 Best Photo Missions Across Open Worlds

From superhero snapshots to wildlife assignments and car-spot challenges, open worlds hide plenty of camera-based tasks that reward a good eye as much as quick reflexes. Below are standout photo missions across sprawling maps, with where to find them, how they work, and what they unlock—plus the studios responsible for each game so you can track down more of their work.

‘Marvel’s Spider-Man’ (2018) – Landmark Tokens

Insomniac Games fills Manhattan with 47 landmark shots tied to the camera gadget, unlocked early via the suit’s visor. Open the map and look for landmark icons, then frame each building or memorial in the viewfinder and snap to earn Landmark Tokens. Those tokens purchase suit mods, gadgets, and upgrades, so clearing boroughs feeds progression. You can also take secret photos of unmarked spots for extra XP.

‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ (2023) – Photo Ops

Insomniac Games adds spontaneous street-level Photo Ops across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens that appear as purple camera icons. Each asks you to capture a specific scene—like a community moment or a unique storefront—using the in-game camera app. Center the highlighted subject, wait for the on-screen prompt to turn green, and shoot to complete it. Finishing sets awards City Tokens and contributes to district completion.

‘Dead Rising’ (2006) – Scoop Photography

Capcom’s mall sandbox turns photography into scoring with PP (Prestige Points) categories like Horror, Drama, and Brutality. Raise the camera and half-press to lock focus, then shoot during peak action—rescues, boss entrances, or zombie swarms—to bank big PP. Magazine pickups and survivor bonuses further multiply photo scores. Higher PP levels up Frank West’s stats, unlocking inventory slots and combat moves.

‘Dead Rising 4’ (2016) – Evidence Photography

Capcom Vancouver equips Frank with a camera featuring Night Vision and Spectrum Analyzer modes for case investigations. Use analyzers to reveal hidden clues, then photograph crime scenes, symbols, or devices to advance case files. Optional assignments also request thematic shots around Willamette for PP and blueprint unlocks. The camera’s filters don’t affect progress—only correct subjects and framing do.

‘Beyond Good & Evil’ (2003) – Hillys Fauna Catalog

Ubisoft Montpellier tasks Jade with photographing every species for the Hillys Science Center. Equip the Gyrodisc camera, center a creature, and snap to receive credits and progressive rewards, including upgrades and pearls. Some species only appear at certain times or in specific dungeons, encouraging return trips. Completing the catalog funds resistance efforts and unlocks late-game items.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017) – Captured Memories

Nintendo EPD ties the Sheikah Slate’s Camera Rune to a 12-photo memory quest scattered across Hyrule. Use environmental clues in each photograph to triangulate the real-world location, then step into the glowing spot to trigger a recovered memory. The camera also fills the Hyrule Compendium by photographing weapons, creatures, and materials for sensor tracking. Completing memories expands story context and offers a key late-game bonus.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ (2023) – A Picture for the Stable

Nintendo EPD introduces repeatable side adventures where stablehands request framed photos of regional landmarks. Reacquire the Camera via early Lookout Landing quests, then capture the subject from a clear angle and show the image to complete the request. Accepted photos get mounted in the stable for a visual record of your travels. Rewards include rupees and materials, and they contribute to regional completion.

‘The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD’ (2013) – Nintendo Gallery

Nintendo EAD’s HD remaster uses the Deluxe Picto Box to photograph NPCs and enemies, then trades images for figurines at the Nintendo Gallery. Shots must be well-lit, front-facing, and captured before certain story beats to avoid missables. Each successful submission produces a museum figurine with lore text by the following day. Completing the gallery unlocks comprehensive character records and a unique reward.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D’ (2015) – Swamp Photo Contest

Grezzo’s remake retains the Swamp Tourist Center contest that pays for specific photographs. Acquire the Pictograph Box from the boat cruise and snap the requested target—like the Deku King or other regional subjects—to claim rupees or special items. Submissions reset with the three-day cycle, letting you reattempt or try different targets. Prizes vary by entry, so check with the attendant before turning in a shot.

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2013) – Paparazzo

Rockstar North’s Los Santos features Beverly’s ‘Paparazzo’ string, where Franklin captures compromising photos for the celebrity blogger. Missions use chase sequences and scripted setups; keep subjects in frame until the prompt confirms a usable image. Completing each assignment advances the contact’s storyline and pays cash. The camera phone is also available during free roam for optional snaps.

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2014) – Wildlife Photography Challenge

Rockstar North added a wildlife contest in the enhanced release, delivered via in-game email to Franklin. Photograph a list of animal species across Blaine County and Los Santos using the Snapmatic app, then submit directly from the phone. Species only spawn in certain biomes and times, so consult the map and revisit habitats as needed. Completing the full list grants cash and a special bonus.

‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ (2004) – Snapshots

Rockstar North hides 50 “Snapshot” photo collectibles across San Fierro that must be taken through a visible camera reticle. Acquire a camera, aim at each watery lens icon, and shoot to register the collectible. Every 10 snapshots award weapons at your garage, and all 50 contribute to 100% completion. Many targets are atop bridges or waterfronts, encouraging helicopter or boat access.

‘Watch Dogs 2’ (2016) – ScoutX

Ubisoft Montreal’s ‘ScoutX’ app tracks San Francisco Bay Area landmarks and unique characters for selfie-style photos. Open the app to find nearby targets, then frame Marcus with the subject and capture to check off entries. Completing categories yields followers, cash, and cosmetic unlocks tied to DedSec’s progression. The app updates as new districts unlock, nudging you to explore side alleys and rooftops.

‘The Crew 2’ (2018) – Photo Ops

Ivory Tower scatters themed “Photo Ops” across a scaled USA, mixing vehicle conditions with environmental backdrops. Each Op specifies a vehicle class, location, and action—such as catching air near a monument—before allowing the shutter. Meeting all criteria awards Bucks, Live Crates, and profile points. Fast-travel to landmarks and swap vehicles at HQs to chain multiple Ops efficiently.

‘The Crew Motorfest’ (2023) – Photo Quests

Ivory Tower’s O‘ahu map includes Playlist-linked Photo Quests that ask for cars, poses, and exact scenic spots. Objectives usually demand standing at a marked location with a named ride and sometimes a time-of-day window. Successfully snapping the shot advances Playlist progression and grants XP and cosmetic items. The in-game photo tool also stores captures in albums for later review.

‘Forza Horizon 4’ (2018) – Horizon Promo

Playground Games adds “Horizon Promo,” a catalog task to photograph every unique car you encounter. Activate Promo in the camera and snap any unregistered car to add it to your collection list. Rewards include credits and cosmetics, and the register helps track rare spawns. Seasonal events boost discovery by surfacing unusual cars in freeroam.

‘Forza Horizon 5’ (2021) – Weekly Photo Challenges

Playground Games rotates Festival Playlist Photo Challenges that specify a car, location, or cosmetic condition. Drive the requested vehicle to the named landmark, open Photo Mode, and capture to complete the card. Finishing challenges grants Playlist points toward Series rewards and Forzathon Shop currency. You can also combine multiple objectives—like a drift zone and a photo—during the same outing.

‘Final Fantasy XV’ (2016) – Vyv’s Photo Assignments

Square Enix gives Noctis recurring jobs from Vyv in Lestallum to photograph landmarks, wildlife, and story-relevant sites. Each contract marks a search radius; park nearby, approach on foot, and use the “Take Photo” prompt at the specified vantage point. Deliver the image to complete the quest for gil and AP, and unlock the next tier. Prompto’s candid shots continue separately and don’t count toward Vyv’s tasks.

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018) – Arcadia for Amateurs

Rockstar Games’ Albert Mason stranger quest chains through multiple states, asking Arthur to help stage and protect wildlife photo shoots. Missions trigger at marked icons, and you’ll often herd or fend off animals so Mason can capture the shot. Completing entries pays cash and moves the story forward, culminating in a final encounter. Hunting and weather systems affect spawns, so return if a species doesn’t appear.

‘No Man’s Sky’ (2016) – Space Station Photo Missions

Hello Games’ Mission Agents hand out procedurally generated photography jobs requiring specific biome, time, or subject conditions. Land on a qualifying planet, open Photo Mode, and frame the requested target—flora, fauna, buildings, or planetary features—to register completion. Rewards include units, nanites, and guild reputation, with multiplayer Nexus missions scaling payouts. Waypoints and scanners help pin rare structures before you line up the shot.

‘Death Stranding’ (2019) – The Photographer Orders

Kojima Productions features a Knot City resident known as the Photographer with Standard and Story Orders tied to her camera. You’ll retrieve equipment, travel to a cliffside spot to take a memorial photo, and deliver processed images as proof. Orders specify cargo condition and route constraints, so fabricate PCCs or ladders to secure the vantage safely. Completing the chain boosts connection level and adds useful fabrication plans.

‘Lost Judgment’ (2021) – Photography Club Cases

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s School Stories arc includes Photography Club investigations that demand incriminating snapshots. Use Yagami’s telephoto lens to capture suspects mid-act from marked positions without alerting them. Shots must meet case criteria—subject, timing, and clarity—before the game accepts them as evidence. Finishing cases unlocks SP and new side-case leads around Ijincho.

‘World of Warcraft’ (2004) – Field Photographer

Blizzard Entertainment’s ‘Field Photographer’ achievement asks players to use the S.E.L.F.I.E. Camera at dozens of named locations. Obtain the device through a short quest chain, then travel to each landmark and take a snapshot to tick entries. The list spans continents and expansions, encouraging flight paths, portals, and dungeon detours. Completing the set awards the achievement and fills out your Toy Box with camera variants.

‘Tom Clancy’s The Division 2’ (2019) – Photo Ops Commendations

Massive Entertainment includes Commendations that require taking photos at control points, landmarks, and faction encounters. Equip the camera emote, align the frame to include required subjects, and capture during active combat or specified conditions. Finishing these awards Commendation Score, patches, and sometimes apparel keys. Clan and Global Event variants add rotating photo objectives during live seasons.

‘Horizon Forbidden West’ (2022) – Vista Points

Guerrilla Games’ Vista Points are AR “ghost photographs” you align with present-day ruins to reconstruct a historic shot. Stand within the shimmer, switch to the Vista overlay, and move Aloy until the old image snaps into place with the landscape. Completing each puzzle logs a lore entry and contributes to area completion totals. Some require tools like the Sunwing or diving gear, encouraging return visits after upgrades.

Share your favorite photo mission moments in the comments—what shot did you work the hardest to line up, and was the reward worth the effort?