Getting the perfect photo: Santorini Style
Is there any place in the world more romantic than the Greek Isle of Santorini? Unless you’ve been living under a rock or are one of the 5 people in the world without an Instagram account, you’ve probably seen the beautiful photos of the long skirts billowing in the wind. Suffice it to say, it is a perfect combination. So, it is no wonder that so many have aimed to recreate it.
However, trying to figure out how to make all the pieces come together can be an exercise in frustration. From the hair, makeup, to setting up the shot, to getting ahold of one of those dresses, it is far from a simple affair. But never fear, we’re here to give you a few steps to make the process a little easier. So, without further ado, here are some steps necessary to get the perfect photo: Santorini style.
You may be the star, but your dress is best supporting actress.
Let’s start with the most import part—the dress. Whatever your personal style, this is the moment to elevate it. But where or where to get that amazing dramatic dress? Well, here are some places that will make it available to you.
As these long train parachute dresses aren’t exactly practical in everyday life, there are several companies that rent dresses simply for the shoot. Among those are North Carolina based Alice Andrews Design and Illinois based Enception Rentals. Both companies rent high quality parachute dresses that will look beautiful and expansive in your shot. Rates for the rentals begin at $125.00 and $149.00 respectively. Contact the companies for rates and availability a few weeks before the photoshoot.
Don’t feel like you can slay in a rental and want to own your masterpiece? If you just want to have your own dress, you can check out the Etsy shops J and L Design Boutique and Korinn Art Design. While J and L Design Boutique specializes mainly in material photoshoot dresses, they also sell attachable trains that you can add to whatever dress you like. With nearly 30 different color options, you will be sure to find one that perfectly matches or contrasts with your chosen dress.
However, if you are actually interested in owning the dress yourself, Korinn Art Design sells made to order flying dresses in 18 different colors. Sold for a very reasonable rate, your dress can begin its journey in Santorini, and can then be used for photoshoots to mark future milestones. Or you can wear it while you are cleaning the living room. No matter when or where you chose to wear it, you’ll look fabulous either way.
If you want a moment that is slightly more editorial, there is no better place to shop for a look than Net-a-porter.com. If you are looking for the perfect Chloe or LES RÊVERIES dress to have a moment, this is the place to find it. But if you are looking to create a more bohemian vibe, look no further than the upscale hippie paradise that is the Free People website. You’ll be sure to find whatever you need to complete your vision there.
Glowing skin is the secret to beautiful travel photos.
Having healthy, glowing skin is essential for capturing the perfect travel memories through photography. Not only does it make you look and feel your best, but it also helps you to radiate confidence in front of the camera. One way to achieve this is by using a high-quality body balm, such as BlackTravelBox Body Balm. It is specially formulated to nourish and hydrate the skin and banish ashiness on darker skin tones, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and supple. The unique blend of natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E work together to deeply moisturize the skin, while also providing a natural glow without leaving greasy slicks behind.
Using the balm is easy, simply apply a small amount to your hands and massage it into your skin, focusing on dry areas such as your legs, arms, and elbows. It can be used on damp or dry skin, but for best results, use it after a shower or bath to lock in moisture. It is also recommended to use it after sun exposure to soothe and hydrate your skin. You can use it as often as needed, but for optimal results, use it daily.
Not only is it perfect for travel, but it's also perfect for everyday use, making it an essential part of your skincare routine. So, if you want to ensure that your travel photos are the best they can be, make sure to pack BlackTravelBox Body Balm in your suitcase and take care of your skin while on the go.
You're ready - now you need a photographer.
Now that you’ve got the dress, it is time to talk about how to actually get the shot. And that leaves you with namely two options—hire a photographer or take matters, or literally the camera into your own hands.
If you are looking to hire a Santorini based photographer, you can book one through the website Flytographer. With Flytographer, you can look through the portfolios of locally available photographers and choose the one who best suits your vision. You can also use the website to scout locations for you without having to do the heavy lifting of searching around the island yourself.
If none of the photographers on Flytographer suit your fancy, you can always search for one the old-fashioned way—through the search bar on Instagram. This method may yield mixed results, so we did some of the work for you. Anya Sunfoto has no shortage of experience creating the exact shot that you’re likely after. However, if he is not available, or you would like a softer look, try booking a shoot with Alicia of Mneme Photography. You may find that her understated and slightly more whimsical aesthetic may be just what the doctor ordered to give your Instagram feed that extra umph!
Or create your own memorable shoot.
If your photography skills are slightly more advanced, or you just like taking on a challenge here are some tips for capturing the most epic self-portrait.
Composition is the trickiest, yet, most important aspect of photography. Basic photography knowledge states that it is best to follow the rule of thirds. You can read more about it here. But basically, it means positioning your subject at the lines of intersection on the out thirds of the frame. This is essential to making a shot that is both interesting and properly framed.
For DIY photos, timing and tools are everything.
Let’s talk about when to take the photo. The perfect lighting for photography is generally acknowledged to be when the light is the most diffused. That would occur either at sunrise or sunset. So, the best time for you to take your photos would be at either those two intervals. These "golden" hours make photos really pop - and have a particularly beautiful impact on colorful clothing and richly melanated skin.
Next up, let’s discuss how to actually take the photo yourself. For that, you can just use a self-timer app that you can install on your phone. The best ones are ProCam 6 and Moment Camera. You can set the timer for 2, 10, or 20 seconds then toss your train in the air and capture the perfect shot before it hits the ground.
If this all sounds a bit overwhelming, well, don’t worry. You can get schooled on the perfect way to take a self-portrait by attending the Advanced Selfie University—a photography class by Instagrammer Sorelle Amore. Through her course, you can learn how to do all the all the things listed above in greater detail, so that you can create the exact imagery that you want. What can be better than that?
Perhaps having someone just do all this work for you? While these are all helpful tips, as it turns out, there is a company that will set everything up for you. If you book a session with Santorini Dress, you will be provided with hair and makeup styling, a photoshoot and of course, the titular dress.
Whatever the plan, enjoy the journey. You got this!
So, that’s it! The basic tips to help you achieve your goal of getting the perfect romantic Santorini photo. Whether it's solo DIY, a professionally shot girls trip, or a romantic baecation shoot. Enjoy and happy shooting! Or as they say in Greek, Στην υγειά σας!
Don't forget to follow and tag @blacktravelbox on your photos! We'd love to see how you #travelincolor on your own and with our globally recognized travel-ready hair and skin care products.