Review · ISTANBUL PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
Istanbul Rooftop Photoshoot with Flying Dress
A flying dress over the Bosphorus sounds unreal, and the setup is built to make it look that way. You get Bosphorus-view rooftop photos plus a second shoot spot with a Turkish lights photo corner. I especially like that you receive all original photos and also get 10 photos photoshopped, along with short videos made on your mobile during the action. The one thing to think about is weather, because rain can make the dress heavy and darken the sky, which directly affects the final look.
You’ll start near Süleymaniye Mosque and move through a quick, guided session designed for photos that feel cinematic without taking half your day. My only drawback to flag: the biggest add-on cost is not baked in, the flying dress rental and the rooftop entrance fee are extra, so your final budget depends on what you pick and how the sky behaves.
Key highlights you should care about

- Two photo locations in one short session, rooftop with Bosphorus views plus a second Turkish lights corner
- All original photos included, not just the edited set
- 10 edited photos per person, with editing that often focuses on brightness and tone
- Short videos recorded on your mobile, made while you run in the flying dress look
- Coffee and tea served with the Bosphorus view, a nice break between shots
- Accessories included, like crowns and jewelry pieces that do a lot for your photos
Flying dresses and Bosphorus views, in 45 minutes
This experience is built around a simple idea, give you a princess-style look without the long, complicated production. You choose one of the flying dresses, then add finishing touches like crowns, necklaces, and earrings. From there, your photographer guides you through poses and movement so you get both still images and quick video moments.
The best part for me is how fast it is. Forty-five minutes is enough time to get multiple looks, yet short enough that you are not standing around for ages. That matters in Istanbul, where weather and crowds can change your day quickly. And the Bosphorus view is the kind of backdrop that instantly makes a photo feel like Istanbul, not just a studio shoot.
One practical caution: the flying-dress effect is style plus physics. If it rains or the fabric gets soaked, the dress can cling instead of float. That can turn the look from magical to heavy and water-marked, which is exactly what you want to avoid.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Istanbul
Where you start: Süleymaniye area and a clear meeting point

You meet at Siyavuşpaşa Sokağı Süleymaniye, in the Fatih district near the mosque area. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not stuck figuring out transportation afterward.
This is helpful if you like to keep plans simple. You can build the shoot into a normal day of walking, then go right back to sightseeing. Also, it is listed as being near public transportation, which matters because Istanbul can be a challenge if you are relying on taxis.
What I like about this meeting setup is that it is not an isolated hotel location. Being close to a major landmark area usually makes it easier to find your way. Just remember, you are in a neighborhood with lanes and stairways, so if you are using a GPS pin, give yourself a few extra minutes.
The rooftop setup: Bosphorus views, coffee, and the running video moment

The main action happens on a rooftop spot with Bosphorus views. This is where you will wear the flying dress and get most of your photo set.
Before the best shots, you typically get your styling basics. You select the dress, then choose from included accessories such as crowns and jewelry items. That is a big value point, because it reduces what you need to bring. It also means you can go beyond plain portrait shots and get a more dramatic, themed look.
Then comes the rooftop photo flow. You will take photos on the terrace with the water and skyline in the background. You will also record short videos on your mobile while you are running with the flying dress effect toward the Bosphorus. This is smart for two reasons. First, video captures motion that still photos cannot. Second, running helps the dress catch in the right way, as long as the fabric is dry.
Expect a lot of quick direction. This is not a slow, editorial session. It is more like a focused photoshoot with a photographer calling timing and positions. If you are camera shy, that can actually work in your favor, because you are not left guessing.
And yes, there is a pause. Coffee and tea are included with the Bosphorus view. That is a small detail, but it makes the experience feel less like a rushed factory moment and more like a break with a view.
The Turkish lights corner: your second style moment

After the rooftop portion, you move to a second photo location described as a corner of Turkish lights. The name suggests a dedicated area for decorative lighting and a different mood than the open Bosphorus rooftop.
This second spot is valuable because it changes the background. Even if you keep the same dress, lighting and scenery shifts how your photos feel. You also get variety without adding time. For gifts and social posts, variety is everything. One set with the water behind you, then another with warmer, more decorative lights can give you a more complete story of your session.
Because the exact details of the lights setup are not specified, the best you can do is arrive prepared to adapt. Bring the energy for quick costume changes or accessory swaps if needed. If you want a specific look, decide in advance how you will style the crown, necklace, and earrings so everything matches your photos.
Photos you receive: originals, edited picks, and video

You receive all your original photos, plus 10 photos edited per person. You also get short videos recorded on your mobile during the session.
This combination is a big reason the value works for many people. Originals are great as a backup. They also give you more options if you want different cropping, color preferences, or alternate edits later. The edited set is your ready-to-share bundle.
Here is the key expectation to manage. The edited photos are photoshopped, but the editing may not include heavy transformations. One guest disappointment described watermarks and asked for more advanced fixes like adding birds and removing visible marks. That tells me you should treat the 10 edited photos as an enhancement, not a miracle worker.
What to do with that information:
- If it is drizzly or likely to rain, focus on drying and dress care before you get your photos. If the fabric looks waterlogged, it can affect your final images.
- If you care about very specific retouching, ask what is included in the 10 edited photos before you commit.
On the video side, it is a practical touch. You will have quick motion clips made with your own phone. That means you are not waiting for a separate video download system. You just play back what you recorded, and it is tied to the moment.
Dresses, accessories, and the extra costs you must plan for

The price you pay up front is $99.16 per person, and that covers the photo process and the deliverables you get afterward: originals, 10 edited images, short videos, coffee and tea, and included accessories like crowns, necklaces, and other earrings.
But two important items are not included:
- Flying dress rental
- Rooftop entrance fee, 55 Euro cash only
That means the final cost can rise quickly. Since the dress rental price is not stated in the information you provided, you will want to budget extra for it once you choose your dress.
This is the part I think most people should calculate before booking. If you only compare $99.16 against other cheap photo sessions, you could be surprised at checkout. If you treat it as a mostly-included photo package plus variable dress and rooftop fees, it reads more fairly.
Also, one detail to keep in mind: dress availability can limit your ideal color or style. You might have fewer options on the day than you pictured when browsing. Accessories help fill the styling gap, so focus on what you can control, headpiece and jewelry matching, and the overall pose style.
Weather matters more than you think for flying dresses

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.
Even when it is not fully canceled, rain can be the difference between a floating dress look and a soaked one. A wet dress is heavy, and it can create water marks that show clearly in photos. That is not just an aesthetic issue. It can force the edited set to spend time brightening rather than fixing visible problems.
If the forecast is shaky, here is my practical advice:
- Plan your shoot for a window where rain is least likely, if you have control of dates.
- Bring a small umbrella or rain jacket for the walk to the meeting point.
- Consider how much you care about perfect dress movement. If you want the dramatic flying effect most, dry conditions are non-negotiable.
Also, if you are sensitive to how your photos look in overcast lighting, keep an eye on the sky. A darker, cloudy background can flatten contrast and reduce the sparkle you might expect behind the Bosphorus.
Who this is best for in Istanbul
This is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That matters if you want photos without waiting your turn behind other tourists. It also tends to make the photographer more flexible with angles and pacing since you are not sharing time slots.
It suits you if:
- You want Instagram-ready photos but still want a real Istanbul setting, not a generic studio
- You like playful styling, crowns, and jewelry, and you do not mind a guided session
- You are celebrating something and want an event-like memory
- You prefer a short, high-impact activity rather than a half-day commitment
It might not fit you as well if you hate the idea of weather risk. Because the dress and sky both affect results, you should only book if you can handle the possibility of rescheduling.
If you travel with a service animal, it is allowed. And most travelers can participate, so the physical demands are probably manageable, but you should still expect some movement for the running video moment.
Price and logistics: is it good value?
At $99.16 per person for a 45-minute private rooftop-and-backdrop photoshoot, the base price is not bad for what you receive: all originals, 10 edited photos, short videos, coffee and tea, and accessories.
The catch is that you must add cash for the rooftop entrance fee, 55 Euro, and you still need to budget for the flying dress rental. Since those two items are not included, the true total cost can be more than you expect.
So here is how I’d judge value:
- If you want professional images of yourself in a real Bosphorus setting, plus motion video, this package is likely worth it.
- If you mainly want a quick selfie with a dress, you could find cheaper options, but you might lose the editing and video deliverables that make this feel like a full experience.
- If you are booking during peak unpredictable weather, your value depends on whether conditions stay dry enough for the dress to perform.
One more practical point: booking tends to happen far in advance, with an average lead time of 42 days. That tells me popular time slots can fill up, so if you have a travel date in mind, lock it earlier rather than later.
Should you book the Istanbul rooftop flying dress photoshoot?
Book it if you want a real Istanbul backdrop, a princess-style wardrobe moment, and you like having both originals and edited photos in one package. The Bosphorus rooftop views, plus the Turkish lights corner, give you variety without dragging the session out.
Do not book it if your plan is fragile around weather. Flying dresses plus rain is a tough combo, and you might end up with photos that do not match the “floating” fantasy. Also, read your budget carefully because the rooftop entrance fee is 55 Euro cash only and the dress rental is extra.
If you are ready to treat this as a photoshoot gift to yourself, and you will be happy as long as you get a beautiful Bosphorus setting and a fun, guided session, it is a strong choice.
FAQ
How long is the photoshoot experience?
The experience lasts about 45 minutes.
Where does the experience start and end?
It starts at Siyavuşpaşa Sokağı Süleymaniye, Siyavuşpaşa Sok., Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye and ends back at the same meeting point.
What photos do I receive after the session?
You receive all your original photos, plus 10 photos per person that are edited/photoshopped.
Are any drinks included?
Yes. Coffee and tea are included, served with a Bosphorus view.
Are accessories included?
Yes. Accessories such as a crown and necklace are included, along with other earrings.
Is the rooftop entrance fee included in the price?
No. The rooftop entrance fee is 55 Euro cash only.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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