Flying Dress Santorini Photo Shoot

For solo female travelers to groups of girlfriends and even couples looking to spice up their Santorini vacation photos, booking a flying dress session with a skilled local photographer has quickly become a must-do activity.

I would have never thought getting yourself photographed in a flowing, red dress floating on a blue church domes, whitewashed walls and deep blue seas backdrop was such a thing!

During my Fira to Oia hike in Santorini, I encountered three or four such girls wearing their sheer, aerial red dresses, surrounded by an army of photo assistants, props and photographers.

This article is a comprehensive guide to choosing and booking a Santorini flying dress photo shoot: when to do it, how to choose your photographer, what type or color of flowing dress would best suit you, whether to seek for hairstyle, makeup or other add-ons, and what Santorini village to choose for creating your flying gown goddess memories.

Red dresses make such a nice contrast to the white walls and blue domes!

Flying High Over Santorini: Planning the Perfect Floating Dress Photo Shoot

With its stunning sunsets, white-washed architecture, and breathtaking seaside views, Santorini is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic Greek islands. In recent years the dreamy destination has become especially well-known for a brand new style of photo shoot starring flowing dresses that can make any woman look extraordinary.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of your Santorini flying gown photo-session:

Choosing the Best Location

When embarking on finding the perfect location for floating dresses in Santorini, it’s key to work with a photographer who knows their job. These photographers know exactly where the best photo spots are, so they would take you right there.

The best vantage points are along the expansive caldera rim overlooking the bright blue Aegean sea and island clusters in the distance. Some of these spots are on the roofs of various buildings, thus being forbidden to the average Santorini tourist.

Local photographers, however, have agreements with the owners of these buildings, so they are allowed to bring their floating red dress clients to these photogenic spots.

Popular sites include the fortified ruins of Oia Castle, Imerovigli’s narrow cobblestone pathways with pink bougainvillea flowers and marvelous views of Skaros Rock, and seaside settings near blue domed churches and whitewashed buildings. I love the view of Skaros Rock on the Caldera backdrop, but I’ve discovered other vantage points that are perfect for a flying dress photo shoot.

Achieving the floating dress effect requires elevations over 150 meters, so the steepest cliffside perches tend to promise a truly showstopping shot.

This is why such photoshoots aren’t as popular in Perissa, Kamari or other villages opposite the caldera, where there aren’t any heights.

Photographers know where the best shooting location are

Finding the Ideal Time of the Year and Moment of the Day

Because lighting and weather play a huge role in showcasing Santorini’s amazing landscape, timing is everything when coordinating this photo session.

Most photographers recommend shooting during the shoulder seasons of April-June and September-November to avoid extreme heat and summertime crowds.

Indeed, in the first week of October, the cliffs were scattered with red flying gowns floating around with grace.

Golden hour around sunset creates a fairytale-esque glow across the island’s scenery that pairs perfectly with bright white dresses and head-turning aerial acrobatics.

That said, clear midday skies can also emphasize the vibrant blues and whites of Santorini’s cliffsides.

Morning times are more cost-effective and less competitive when it comes to snagging the most breathtaking backdrop positioning.

Yellow flying dress girl in Santorini

Comparing Shoot Styles and Prices

While flying dresses shoots are still an emerging trend in Santorini, there are now multiple talented photographers on the island specializing in the service.

Packages can range from 300 to 1000 euros depending on the company, length of shoot, location specifics, and total number of edited photos provided.

Most dresses feature long, sheer sleeves to catch the winds, though some companies also offer strapless gown styles.

Before making your final choice, be sure to ask photographers about add-ons like hair & makeup services or including aerial drone shots as well.

Sometimes you may see two or even more red flying dresses on Santorini’s roofs. I took this photo in October

To find the best value shoot that fits your style and skill set, do some research ahead of time and feel free to negotiate adjustments you’d like to customize the overall experience. The results promise to be nothing short of breathtaking!