How to Save Money on Flying Dress Photoshoot in Greece
The infamous flying dress photo from Greece was definitely a hot topic in 2019. I mean who doesn’t want gorgeous photos of themselves in a lavish gown with the wind blowing, their hair flowing and to top it all off, the beautiful view of Santorini in the background?
This shoot can cost anywhere from $500-$1000. Not only do you have to hire a photographer, but you have to rent the dress as well. And let’s not forget the cost of hair and makeup before the shoot.
Being that I went to Greece solo, the experience was definitely worth it every penny. Besides, who doesn’t like to spoil themselves? But after getting the inside scoop from my photographer and actually experiencing the photoshoot, I’m here to let you in on a few tips that can possibly help you save your coins if this shoot is on your bucket list!
My Experience:
Overall, I had a great experience during the actual shoot. Growing up in the modeling world, I always loved the camera. The photographer liked my look so much, he wanted me to shoot in some of his other dresses for his portfolio too.
The only thing I didn’t like about my experience was that I literally had to wait over a month for my photos (which was originally supposed to be a week). I probably would not have gotten them at all if I had not contacted my bank. So this is another reason why I recommend trying the shoot out on your own before spending hundreds of dollars overseas and being disappointed if you don't get what you paid for, especially since you’ll probably be long gone once you actually get them.
I also ended up having to edit my own photos. Luckily, I know a little bit about editing so they came out bomb, but I was still disappointed that I did not get what I originally paid for.
So with that being said, the “Jill of All Trades” in me definitely thinks that I could have gotten the same photos, if not better for a fraction of the price. All I really needed was at least one extra person, my professional camera and a handy dandy tripod.
If you’re planning a trip to Greece and want to slay in Santorini, you could definitely save your coins by following these tips:
Rent A Dress
Don’t waste your money on buying a dress in advance, unless it is something you plan to wear again. Before discovering that the dresses could be rent, I searched high and low for “long flowy dresses.” That was literally my exact search on Google and I did not find anything that I liked and I’m honestly glad that I didn’t because it saved me money and a ton of luggage space. Those dresses are huge by the way.
Dress rentals can be found online by searching “Greece dress rentals” and cost anywhere from $100-$250. A Soror of mine recently rented her dress through this company and it was absolutely gorgeous!
Most companies have a variety of colors and when it comes to sizing, majority of them are one size fits all. So if you’re traveling with a friend and you both like the same dress color, why not split the cost of the rental and share it? Teamwork makes the dream work, right?
The most popular colors are yellow, red, pink and blue. I ended up picking three different colors because I couldn’t just pick one. Indecisive? Very much so, but I mainly went with what looked best on my skin tone.
After reserving a dress and putting a deposit down, the company renting out the dress should make arrangements to get the dress to you on the day of your shoot. Some companies rent dresses out for the entire day, but since they have become so popular, most companies rent them out by the hour.
Utilize Your Posse
An hour long session with a professional photographer in Greece will cost you around $400 so if you're trying to cut the cost, your friends will definitely play a vital role when it comes to finessing this shoot. You will need one friend to take the photos (unless you have a tripod) and another to throw the dress up in the air multiple times ( the most important part).
Make sure you have a quality camera that is capable of taking action shots, a backup memory card and an extra battery. Action shots tend to use a lot of memory and kill your battery faster than regular photos.
Get Out Early
The best time to take photos is early in the morning. I would recommend getting out around 8:30 am because Santorini consists of multiple villages. My shoot was scheduled for 10:30am, but because I didn’t realize how long it would take a taxi to get to the next village, I was late. I ended up getting the meanest sunburn while shooting because it ran into the afternoon and by that time the sun was beaming.
Depending on what village you’re staying in, it may take a while to catch a taxi or bus to the village you want to shoot in so plan accordingly.
4. Glam Yourself Up
Makeup artists working with the photographers in Greece can charge up to $200 for makeup application. If you’re not the best at makeup application, all you have to do is practice! Remember, you can always wash it off if you don’t like it and try again. We all have to start somewhere right? I recommend checking out my YouTube channel for a detailed tutorial using all drugstore products. That way, you can slay on a budget and see what works best for you before the big day.
You want to make sure you know what you’re doing the day of the shoot because the rental is usually by the hour and you want to shoot as early as possible to beat the heat and the crowd.
5. Less Is More
Save yourself some money and luggage space by skipping out on heels. Sis, believe me! I love a cute heel, but it is not needed for this look. Besides, you want to look elegant, soft and natural. Remember, less is more!
Side Note: I definitely recommend wearing a pair of sandals to slide in and out of as you change locations. You don’t want to walk around barefoot because the ground will be hot!
6. Gather Inspiration
I know you’ve probably seen a ton of images online so be sure to screenshot them. You can easily ask someone where the building or landmark from the picture is located. If you’re spontaneous like me, you’ll just go with the flow. Luckily, my photographer knew a few good locations, but since the town is so small and beautiful, you won’t have a hard time finding an “Instagrammable” spot.
Whether you decide to splurge on the convenience of a full photoshoot like I did or save your coins by using these tips, I hope you’re able to capture the perfect shot of a priceless memory in Santorini that will last forever!
