Behind the Scenes of a Flying Dress Photoshoot

Behind the Scenes of a Flying Dress Photoshoot in Santorini

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The final images look effortless and magical. But what actually goes into creating them? Here’s an honest behind-the-scenes look at a professional flying dress photoshoot in Santorini.

Before the Session: The Preparation

Days before:

Alex monitors weather forecasts and wind conditions
Location is confirmed based on timing, light angle, and current crowd patterns
Client receives a preparation guide: what to bring, where to meet, what to expect

The morning of:

Alex arrives at the location 15-20 minutes early
Scouts the exact shooting positions based on current light conditions
Identifies the best wind-catching angles for dress movement
Assesses crowd levels and identifies any potential background issues

The Meeting

Client and photographer meet at the agreed location. Alex introduces the session, gives a brief overview of the plan, and creates an immediate atmosphere of warmth and relaxation.

The dress selection (5-10 minutes): Dresses are presented, tried on, selected. Alex advises on which colors will work best with the location’s specific backdrop.

The brief (5 minutes): Alex explains the basic mechanics — how the dress moves, what kind of movements create the best images, how posing guidance will work throughout.

During the Session: The Reality

It’s collaborative and physical. Flying dress photography involves the photographer and subject working together actively — spinning, walking, throwing the dress into the wind. It’s more dynamic than a traditional posed photoshoot.

The wind is unpredictable. Sometimes a perfect gust arrives exactly when needed. Other times, Alex throws the dress manually to create movement. Both approaches work.

The posing guidance is continuous. “Tilt your chin slightly down. Look toward the sea. Now look back at me. Walk slowly forward — stop, hold…” This constant gentle direction is what separates professional from amateur photography.

The best shots are often unexpected. The final image clients fall in love with is frequently a candid moment between “proper” poses — a genuine laugh, a natural glance over the shoulder.

After the Session: The Edit

The editing process for a professional flying dress session is significant:

Culling: Reviewing 300-600 raw images to identify the best
Color grading: Developing a consistent, beautiful color palette across the set
Skin retouching: Gentle, natural retouching that enhances without looking artificial
Background cleaning: Removing any tourists or distracting elements from backgrounds
Sharpening and final adjustments: Preparing each image for high-resolution delivery

This process typically takes 2-5 hours per session.

The Delivery

Edited images are delivered within 10 days via a private online gallery where clients can download all files in high resolution. Need them sooner? Next-day delivery is available for an additional 30-50. The gallery remains accessible for download and sharing.