Flying Dress Photoshoot: How to Plan Your Own

Cynthia and I have been doing flying dress photoshoots for years now. At first it seemed over the top, but now it’s one of those things we try to do at every location, from the Amalfi Coast to our desert photoshoot in the Sahara. It’s just so fun! If you’ve never done one, I invite you to give it a try. All you need is a dress, a location, and a sense of adventure.

This guide covers what a flying dress photoshoot is, the dresses I own and where to buy them, the best locations, how to prepare, and my posing tips.

What Is a Flying Dress Photoshoot?

A flying dress photoshoot features a gown with an extra-long, lightweight train designed to move dramatically in the wind. The fabric is usually chiffon or a similar airy material that lifts and flows easily, creating that sweeping, editorial look.

It doesn’t always have to be a long dress. Maybe it should be called a “fancy” dress photoshoot! I’ve done plenty of shoots where the dress is not long at all. And sometimes the women who come on our trips don’t want an over the top dress and just go with a fun one. That works too.

The magic comes from movement. Walking slowly. Turning deliberately. Letting the wind catch the train. Sometimes a helper stands just outside the frame to toss the fabric at the perfect moment. When everything comes together, the result looks effortless and high-fashion.

I love to bring at least one dress with me when we travel so people can share it. It’s one of the fun parts of traveling with a group of women.

Choosing the Perfect Dress

I have a few flying dresses, some more dramatic than others. I try to choose a color that will complement my surroundings. Here are the dresses I have and where you can buy them.

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Impact Dress

This is the longest flying dress I have, and it’s one size fits all. The “straps” go over the bust, criss-cross around the back, then tie around the waist, which makes it a great dress for anyone to wear. The train is long but not TOO long, and the color looks great on most people. You can buy this style of impact dress on Joyfolie, although it looks like they no longer carry it in deep ocean blue.

Yellow Flying Dress

I also have a similar flying dress in yellow that I bought on Amazon. The quality is not as good, but it was the right color. I wanted yellow for our Amalfi Coast photoshoot because… lemons? We also used it in Venice.

The Best Locations for a Flying Dress Shoot

Look for open space. You need room for the fabric to extend fully and move freely. Golden hour light, either just after sunrise or right before sunset, adds softness and depth that makes the dress glow.

Location sets the mood. Some of our favorite kinds of backdrops:

• Clifftops overlooking the ocean
• Desert dunes at sunset, like the Erg Chebbi dunes at our luxury camp in the Sahara Desert
• Colorful old towns, like the blue city of Chefchaouen
• Historic European streets
• Mountain overlooks
• Lakeside villas or gardens
• Stairs, running up or down and letting the movement carry the dress

These are the exact spots where we’ve shot ours. Tap any name to see it on Google Maps.

• The pink salt lake at Salin-de-Giraud, near Arles in the south of France
• Plage de Piémanson, a wide, wild beach in the Camargue, France
• Venice, on the stone steps and bridges along the canals
• Fort Canning Park tree tunnel in Singapore
• Cloud Forest and the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
• Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco
• Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara Desert, Morocco

How to Prepare

Preparation makes everything smoother.

• Iron your dress. You might not notice the wrinkles at first, but you’ll be glad you did later, and so will whoever would otherwise have to edit them out.
• Choose hair and makeup that can handle wind and heat. Loose waves photograph beautifully, but secure them enough that they don’t cover your face. Matte makeup holds up better in bright light.
• Bring comfortable shoes for walking between locations. Many people slip them off for the final shots.
• Hydrate, eat beforehand, and give yourself enough time so you don’t feel rushed. A relaxed energy shows up in photos.
• Pack it flat. Our guide to building a capsule wardrobe for every trip shows how we fit a photoshoot dress into a carry-on.

Posing Tips for Natural, Powerful Images

Movement is your friend!

• Walk slowly toward or away from the camera. Use the wind and the movement to work with the dress, not against it.
• Practice holding the edge of your dress and flipping it outward with a delicate hand, so that at the moment of release your hand and the dress look natural.
• Turn your body slightly instead of facing the camera flat on.
• Let one shoulder lead for a more flattering silhouette.
• Keep your hands soft and relaxed.
• Don’t forget about your feet! Point those toes.
• If you can, have a third person help with holding the dress, fixing hair, and being the photographer’s extra arm.

Flying Dress Photoshoot FAQs

Final Thoughts: Why It’s More Than Just a Photoshoot

For many women, a flying dress photoshoot becomes a celebration. Of growth. Of freedom. Of stepping into a new chapter. The images are stunning, yes. But the feeling of standing tall, wind in your dress, fully present in that moment? That’s the real memory.

If you’ve been thinking about doing one, consider this your nudge. Pick a place that makes you feel alive. Choose a color that makes you feel bold. Step into the dress and let it fly.

Years from now, you won’t just remember how it looked. You’ll remember how powerful you felt wearing it.

We’re planning the next Soul Sisters trip now. Tell us where you want to go.