The Santorini Flying Dress Photoshoot was on my bestie’s must-do list for her birthday celebration in Greece earlier this year. If you’ve seen the stunning pictures of women in beautiful flowing dresses flooding your social media feeds this year, you know what I’m talking about. While you can now do a flying dress photoshoot in a few different places like Dubai, Tuscany, and The Maldives, it originated in Santorini, Greece, according to CNN.
Our Flying Dress Photoshoot
We met our photographer and assistant outside of a restaurant, which was within walking distance of our hotel in Oia, at 9:30 in the morning. Immediately after, the assistant took the four of us ladies to a quiet street, where we changed. With all of us helping cover each other up, we maneuvered into our dresses. We then bunched up the long trains and the bottom of the dress to carry it around to walk and take pictures at three different locations.
Other tourists and locals watched our photoshoot. Other photoshoots were also happening at the same time, some with solo women, families, and weddings or engagements. There is a good bit of walking to the different locations, and many stairs since most of Santorini is nestled into a hillside.
A few things surprised me that day.
- Getting dressed in the street. I think this depends on the company you use, but you are not necessarily walking into a photographer’s studio and changing in a dressing room. You will be on a side street or the bathroom of a local establishment. We were tucked into a more private space to change back into our clothes because by then, more people were out and about.
- The dresses themselves. The dresses are made of satin, which is perfect for that flowy look. We picked the colors of our dresses in advance. The dresses are almost a one-size-fits-all because the twisting of the straps and wrapping of the belt ties are very flexible. You can achieve different looks from tank top style to halter top style. You won’t be able to wear a bra with most of the configurations, but surprisingly, the twisting of the straps provides great support for all sizes. Additionally, the dresses have elastic waists and high slits so you can expose your legs as you pose.
- How the dresses “fly”. Without the assistant, the dresses will not fly. When you see these images online, you envision that the wind is blowing the dresses. Not so! The assistant holds the train of the dress up and either moves it back and forth for motion or throws it up in the air when the photographer is ready to snap the picture. It’s incredible how it all comes together!
We finished by noon, and I was happy that we got an early start!
The First Location of Our Photoshoot
Things To Take Into Consideration
- Time of Day. Stick with early morning or sunset. We started at 9:30 in the morning but went almost until noon because we were a group. The earlier the better, especially if it turns out to be a very sunny day. The sun will be in your eyes! And fewer people will be around. Sunset is another option because of the beautiful backdrop during that time of day. However, you will have more people to contend with, both walking around and participating in their own photoshoots.
- Consider the weather. Luckily, we visited Greece in early May, so the weather was not super hot. It was a bit rainy and overcast during our time in Santorini. It also meant fewer tourists than during the high season. Even though people were watching us and were on the streets where we had to walk, we didn’t have to deal with large crowds of people. Weather is also important for your styling – hair and make-up. Think about what will work best for you in the climate.
- Wear flip-flops or another type of shoe that’s easy to get in and out of. I wore sneakers, and it was a bit of a pain because you don’t wear shoes when the photos are taken.
- Be ready to move and groove to get the best shots. The photographer and assistant will help you and give you some ideas for poses. But you will likely feel more comfortable if you’ve practiced a few poses beforehand. Relax and have fun!
The Last Shot – I Was Into It!
We Used Star and Nina Photography
Star and Nina Photography was great to work with! You can’t know everything that will happen on the day of the photoshoot. They are based in Oia and were able to pivot when necessary, by politely jockeying for positions with other photographers doing shoots or local business owners as we squeezed into some of the narrower areas along the hillsides.
On the same day of the shoot, we each received the following:
• All the original photos. I received 173 photos.
• One 30-second video dancing in the dress.
• 46 photos of the group in our colorful dresses.
After we picked out our favorite 10 photos, we were supposed to wait three weeks for them to be photoshopped. I received mine earlier than that and any additional adjustments were agreed to and then made. For example, I wanted the watch and hair tie that I was wearing on my left wrist removed.
Additionally, we were taking our own photos and videos before and during the shoot. We ended up with more than we needed to remember the day, share on social media, and send out to family and friends. I absolutely loved the photos and had a blast with the ladies that day!
Me and The Ladies
How Much Does It Cost?
The average price is roughly $400, before any extras, and it typically takes an hour. Since there were four women in our group, we needed more time and our photoshoot lasted longer. Our cost was $350 per person, plus a $100 deposit. $1500 total.
Different companies will have different add-ons. Some are more high-end than others and the whole experience can add up and get expensive. It’s important to know what you want or need for the day because you don’t have to break the bank. With Star and Nina Photography, I think we got a lot for the money we spent.
What Makes It A Must-Do?
The flying dress photoshoot is an amazing way to document your time in Santorini, Greece. The area’s landscape is a beautiful backdrop to you in a stunning dress billowing behind you! You will be the star in professional photos that you will cherish forever. For me, it was fun to have this experience with a group of ladies for my bestie’s birthday. We all played off each other and were each other’s biggest cheerleaders during the photoshoot. It was a highlight of our trip!