A dream destination for many couples, Santorini, Greece is full of awe-inspiring scenery. Practically everyone has seen the iconic picture of the blue dome with the glittering Aegean beyond.
Most people who vacation or honeymoon in Santorini want the best possible pictures of themselves in the midst of all that beauty and the best way to accomplish this is by scheduling a Santorini photo shoot with a professional.
During our trip to Santorini, we used the fantastic onsite photography services of Flytographer to get our vacation shots. Working with a local photographer who knew all the best places to take photos in Santorini, we got some truly amazing pictures that we will always treasure.
When you go on Flytographer it only takes a few steps to get your photo shoot scheduled.
First, you choose your photographer. If you book early, you should have plenty to choose from. Review the photographers to find one that matches the aesthetic you are going for.
Next, you want to choose your time and location. We recommend your photo shoot be early in the morning if possible.
Here are some ideas for choosing your photography locations.
Santorini Photo Shoot Locations
Oia: Best Photo Spot in Santorini for Blue Domes
Oia is the most famous photo location in Santorini and the answer to the question, what is the popular picturesque town of Santorini? Everyone wants to have photos in front of the iconic three blue domes.
You can find those blue domes at the church in Santorini. While the street it’s on doesn’t have a name, you get there by following the main pathway (Nikolaou Nomikou) and stepping off just before the Patisserie Medevio.
Go down the path and staircase to find the perfect view for your Santorini photo shoot. You can also take the path that leads toward Caldera Villas and take pictures up toward the churches.
Set high on cliffs overlooking the ocean, the village of Oia is extremely picturesque and is one of the top places to take photos in Santorini. You can find great spots to take photos everywhere.
Because Oia is so famous and beautiful, however, it can get very crowded. Wander the back streets, especially west of the main area, to find some less-populated places to take pictures. The best way to avoid the crowds is to take pictures in Oia early in the morning. This will also give you beautiful light.
While Oia provides some of the most stunning sunsets on Santorini, we strongly advise to go there only for early morning sessions and not during the sunset time because of the crowds (unless you happen to be in Oia at a less busy time of year, like winter). Below, we recommend other top photo locations in Santorini that are ideal for afternoon sessions.
Imerovigli: Best Photo Spot in Santorini for Alternative Blue Dome and Sunset Shots
For a great alternative blue dome photo, head to Imerovigli. Set on a cliff overlooking the sea, it offers breathtaking views including those from and of the blue-domed Anastasi Church.
This village is in the highest location in front of the caldera and it is ideal for afternoon and sunset sessions. In fact, Imerovigli is one of the best photo locations on Santorini for sunsets.
Another great photo spot here is at Skaros Rock (also known as Skaros Fortress), which overlooks majestic rocks, the sea, and other islands. It’s particularly stunning at sunset. To get to the top of Skaros Rock, it’s a 30-minute hike; part of it is rocky so wear sturdy shoes.
You can easily walk from Imerovigli to Fira (below), with all sorts of excellent photo spots along the way.
Fira: Best Photo Spot in Santorini for Less Crowded Shots
Fira is the capital of Santorini and is located on the west side. Not as crowded as Oia, it is perfect for early morning and afternoon photo sessions. Two cathedrals here are great photo spots: the Church of St. John the Theologian and the Catholic church, which also has blue domes.
You can also get good pictures looking out over the village toward the water with cruise ships and ferries, or back up the cliffs of the beautiful buildings.
Pyrgos: Best Photo Spot in Santorini for Authentic Greek Life
Pyrgos is a charming old traditional village south of Fira. This is a top photo location in Santorini for couples who are looking for something different. You’ll see views of cliffs and green hills, rather than the more common Santorini scenery. It offers a very beautiful, authentic Greek style for your pictures.
There’s an incredible preserved medieval castle here, Pyrgos Kasteli, which offers some great photo ops against its stunning architecture and whitewashed walls.
Vlychada Beach: Best Photo Spot in Santorini for Unique Scenery
Last but not least is Vlychada Beach, located on the southern coast of Santorini. In addition to the caldera view, there is an amazing 2,5 km black volcanic sand beach, with huge rocks and cliffs in the background. This provides unique scenery that is wonderful for early morning and late sunset photo sessions in Santorini.
Have you been to Santorini? If so, do you agree with our top 5 places to take photos in Santorini, or do you have some other choices? Let us know in the comments!
What to wear for a Santorini photo shoot?
- Most important is that you wear something comfortable.
- Avoid patterns and logos. Plain, solid colors are best so that the focus is on you and your spouse, not your clothing.
- Dress for the weather. It will likely be warm out since it is Santorini. Opt for airy, light fabrics that won’t make you sweat. If it’s cooler, bring a light jacket.
- Consider your shoes. Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking, make sure to wear comfortable shoes that won’t rub or cause blisters.
- Accessorize wisely. Less is more when it comes to jewelry and other accessories. A few simple pieces will look best in photos.
- For colors, there are a lot of options. The most popular colors are pastels that pop against the white walls. We wore dark clothes and like how they turned out since they stood out against the white walls and blue domes. You can always look on Flytographer for more inspiration.
Ashley has always loved to explore new places and indulges her passion for travel whenever she can. She has been to 12 countries and 32 states so far.
Ashley has worked as a freelance writer for more than 20 years, specializing in the areas of travel, marketing, personal development, and the pursuit of happiness.
Favorite destinations include Sorrento and Capri, Italy; Haarlem, Netherlands; Paris; Sydney and K’gari, Australia; Rotorua and Waiheke Island, New Zealand; the American West; Palm Beach; the Florida Keys; and her hometown of New Orleans. Ashley has a goal of visiting every state plus many more international destinations.