What's a Flying Dress Photoshoot? A Pro Shares How to Pull It Off

Dreaming of epic wedding photos? There are plenty of wedding photography trends that can help with that. One of our favorites: a flying dress photoshoot. If you've ever seen a photo of someone on the rooftops of Santorini with an ocean blue dress rippling in the wind behind her, then you know exactly what we're talking about. Of course, the dress can be any color you want and you don't have to fly all the way to Greece to pull off the look—any other jaw-dropping location in the US or abroad will do. Whether you want them for engagement photos, bridal portraits or post-wedding day photos, they're a must-add to your wedding photography shot list (alongside wedding boudoir photography, of course). Here's everything you need to know about a fly-away dress photoshoot.

In this article:

• What Is a Flying Dress Photoshoot?
• Cost of Flying Dress Photoshoot
• Popular Flying Dress Photoshoot Locations
• How to Find a Photographer for a Flying Dress Photoshoot Near You
• How to Do a Flying Dress Photoshoot

What Is a Flying Dress Photoshoot?

A flying dress photo shoot is typically a portrait session of a model or bride wearing an extremely long dress that appears to be sailing in the wind, explains Christopher Todd of Christopher Todd Studios in Southern California. "Sometimes real brides ask for this type of photo either on their wedding day if time permitted or on the days following the wedding," he says. "The dress does not have to be a wedding dress; in fact, many dresses are vibrant and colorful."

"The focus of the shoot is more on the aesthetics of the dress and the beauty of the location rather than closeups of the bride herself," adds John Ether of Ether Photography in Toronto. "Although they've been done for the better of two decades, they've only really become more popular recently in about 2021."

Cost of Flying Dress Photoshoot

Flying dress photoshoot prices vary, but Todd estimates it'll cost $1,500 to $3,000 for a half day. Expect to spend about $1,000 on average, Ether adds. He says that will likely include the price of a photographer's session—usually $500 an hour for a good photographer—plus the cost of travel fees and the dress, which can be anywhere from $100 to over $1,000. The total cost will depend on a variety of factors, such as professional hair and makeup, photo permits and location fees. You can learn more about local wedding photographer prices in your area with The Knot Budget Advisor.

Popular Flying Dress Photoshoot Locations

If you find yourself Googling "flying dress photoshoot locations near me," you may want to think outside your ZIP code. Popular photoshoot locations for flying dresses can vary depending on where you live. The best places are open spaces and fields like public parks and hiking trails, especially if they're high up where the wind can really catch your dress and the stunning scenery stretches out before you.

"The most important thing is height—that means tops of mountains or city platforms where you'll get a clean wide panoramic view of the background," Ether says.

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The Eiffel Tower in France or Santorini in Greece all fit this bill. For a flying dress photoshoot in the United States, Death Valley in Nevada, the oceanfront bluffs in Laguna Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes near Todd and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City are all popular options.

How to Find a Photographer for a Flying Dress Photoshoot Near You

Ready for the flying dress photoshoot of your dreams? The first step is finding a photographer, which you can do at The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Select your location and from there you can filter by price, different wedding photography styles, photoshoot types and more. Keep in mind that if you plan to travel for your photoshoot, your photographer options will be that much more expansive—many photographers are willing to travel, you'll just have to budget the cost for that.

How to Do a Flying Dress Photoshoot

There's an art to a flying dress photoshoot, and it can look absolutely amazing when done correctly. The experts share their advice on pulling it off.

Hire a Professional Photographer

They should not only be great with the camera, Todd says, but an expert in photo editing. "This is most beneficial for the days when the wind is not cooperating and additional Photoshop is required for the desired look," he explains. Make sure they don't make any of these wedding photography mistakes.

Ether says that it's helpful if the photographer has an assistant or two, who can help create more dramatic photos—one can throw the dress and the other can hold off the camera flash. "Their main role during the shoot will be to stand close enough to the person wearing the dress so they can step just outside the frame of the photographer as needed," Todd adds.

Find the Right Dress

Ether advises purchasing or renting a dress specifically made for these shoots. "Fabric that is too lightweight will stay in the air too long and be blown in many directions by the wind," he says. "Fabric that is too heavy will drop straight to the ground."

Considering that the flying dress photoshoot is all about movement, you should look for something that is flowy and freeing. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable in it.

Pick the Right Location

Location is key. "You'll need a gorgeous background to complete the shot or it will feel off," Ether says. "That means typically no indoor sessions because of cramped quarters and bad lighting. Don't forget to budget for travel because the more epic the location, the better your photos will turn out!"

Get Elevated

Once you're at the shoot, it can help if you're elevated on something like an apple box, ladder, step or even a rock. Todd explains that this allows you to stand a little higher, allowing for flying dress photoshoot poses that give the dress more space to fall or move. Placing the camera low can help add drama and reduce distracting elements that might be in the shot.

The results will be so good, you'll want to post them all. Pair them with some good photo dump captions, and they'll be Insta-ready.