Drone photographer in Dakar: how to choose

Looking for a drone photographer in Dakar? Before you book, it helps to know what a good pilot should bring you, which questions to ask and what a successful shoot looks like. Here is our guide, written by the team that flies a drone every week above the water of Ouakam, Ngor and Almadies.

At Senegal Nautique, our speciality is aerial photography on the water: you lie, sit or pose in a clear kayak, our pilot is on the beach or on the water and the drone films you from the sky. The result is the kind of image you have probably already seen on Instagram or TikTok: a colourful figure resting on an invisible hull, above the rocky seabed and the Atlantic. This guide explains how to choose your photographer, how a shoot works and how to prepare for it so you leave with photos you will be proud of.

In short: a drone photographer in Dakar should know the spots, the light and the flight rules, know how to direct your poses and deliver your images quickly. With us, the drone photoshoot in a clear kayak costs 35,000 F for one person, 25,000 F per person for two and 20,000 F per person from three people, plus 6,000 F per kayak. Photos and videos are delivered the same day, and it is best to book 24 to 48 hours ahead.

Why hire a drone photographer in Dakar?

Dakar lends itself particularly well to aerial photography. The city sits on a peninsula surrounded by ocean, with volcanic cliffs, coves, islands and often intense light. From the ground, the coast is beautiful. From the sky, it becomes spectacular: the rocky seabed shows through the water, the sea changes colour with the depth and every person on the water becomes the focal point of a picture. That unique perspective is what gives drone photos their power.

Hiring a professional rather than flying yourself changes everything. Flying a drone over water takes experience: you have to manage the coastal wind, the battery, the distance, the sun’s glare and the safety of the people below. You also need to know where to position yourself so the light falls in the right place, how high to fly so the figure stays readable and when to shoot as a wave passes. An experienced drone photographer handles all of that while you enjoy the moment.

Then there is the result. A great drone photo is not luck: it combines a setting, a pose, an outfit, a water colour and a frame. The photographer guides you through each of these. They tell you where to put your arms, how to turn your face to the sky, how to spread your dress over the hull, and they try again until they get the right image. That directing work is what makes the difference between a holiday snap and a photo you print.

Finally, a drone photographer saves you time. In one session, you leave with a varied series of photos and videos, ready to share. For a traveller passing through Dakar, it is often the strongest memory of the trip. For a content creator, a company or a couple preparing an announcement, it is a complete production done in one morning, in a setting few people get the chance to show.

Which projects is it for?

The requests we receive are very varied, but they have one thing in common: the wish for a striking image taken from the sky, with the ocean as the backdrop. The most frequent case is the travel memory. You are in Dakar for a few days, you want to leave with a photo unlike any other, and the clear kayak above the water of Ouakam or Ngor ticks every box.

Next come couples. Honeymoon, dating anniversary, marriage proposal: the drone captures an intimate scene without a photographer standing two metres away. The clear kayak works well for a proposal: the question is asked on the water while the drone circles above. Pregnancy shoots are also very popular: a long dress spread over the clear hull, above the water, makes for very gentle images.

Groups of friends often book a shoot for a birthday, a bachelorette party or simply a girls’ weekend. Several kayaks side by side, coordinated outfits, star poses seen from the sky: these are among the most shared images on our social media. The price per person drops as the group grows, which makes the session affordable for several people.

Content creators, swimwear, fashion or cosmetics brands and companies looking to illustrate their communication also come to us. The setting is already there, the light is often beautiful and fast delivery means you can post the same day. To be clear: our speciality is photography on the water, in a clear kayak, at our Ouakam, Ngor and Almadies bases, and at Lac Rose on request. For a wedding on land, a construction site, a property or an indoor event, you are better off with a drone photographer who specialises in those fields, using the advice in the next section.

How to choose your drone photographer

Look at their portfolio. This is the first criterion. A serious drone photographer should be able to show you recent images taken in Dakar, in the kind of setting you are interested in. Look at the sharpness, the colours, the variety of framing and above all how people are shown. Be wary of portfolios made up only of landscapes: photographing a cliff and photographing a person moving on the water are two different jobs.

Ask about safety and flight rules. Drone use is regulated in Senegal, and some areas of Dakar are sensitive, especially around airports, military sites and official buildings. A professional knows where they can fly and where to stay away from, always keeps the drone at a reasonable distance from people and does not fly in winds that are too strong. Do not hesitate to ask how they handle these questions: their answer says a lot about how serious they are.

Check that they know the terrain. Over water, image quality depends enormously on the spot, the tide, the swell and the time of day. A pilot who flies regularly in Ouakam or Ngor knows where the rocky seabed stands out best, where the water is most sheltered and when the sun creates awkward reflections. That knowledge saves you from a failed shoot over a simple question of timing.

Ask how they direct poses. Most people do not know how to position themselves for a drone. A good photographer guides you precisely and kindly, shows you examples and reassures you if you feel shy. Finally, be clear about delivery and price: when will you receive the images, in what form, and what is or is not included in the quoted rate? A clear quote with no surprises is the sign of a reliable provider. With us, the kayak is always listed as an extra, and delivery happens the same day.

Want your photos from the sky?

Drone photoshoot in a clear kayak from 35,000 F, kayak extra. Photos and videos delivered the same day, in Ouakam, Ngor or Almadies.

Book a photoshoot

How our drone photographer works on the water

A session with our drone photographer starts with booking. You choose your base, the date and the time on our booking page, or you message us on WhatsApp at +221 77 867 55 58. We confirm the slot, ideally 24 to 48 hours ahead, especially for weekends and late afternoons, which fill up quickly. If you have a specific idea, a special occasion or reference images, send them to us: it helps us prepare the shoot.

On the day, we recommend calling the base before you travel to check the state of the sea. On site, the team welcomes you, gives you a life jacket and settles you into the clear kayak. The pilot explains how the shoot will go, shows you a few example poses and checks your outfit with you. If there are several of you, they think about the composition: kayaks side by side, in a star, in a line, mirrored.

Then the drone takes off. You are on the water, usually very close to shore, in a sheltered area chosen according to the day’s wind and swell. The pilot guides you by voice or by gestures: lie down, raise your arms, turn your head, spread the dress, paddle gently to the left. They vary the height, from close shots where your face is visible to wide shots where you become a small colourful dot in the middle of the ocean. They also film videos, for example vertical rises or moves around you, which are very popular on social media.

At the end of the session, delivery happens immediately by AirDrop if your phone allows it. Otherwise, the photos and videos are sent to you later in the day via WhatsApp, WeTransfer or Google Drive. That way you can post your images the same evening.

How much does a drone photographer cost in Dakar?

Our prices are simple and shown upfront. The drone photoshoot in a clear kayak costs 35,000 F for one person. It is the ideal option for a portrait, a travel memory or content for your social media. For two, the price becomes 25,000 F per person, i.e. 50,000 F for the couple or the pair of friends. From three people, it drops to 20,000 F per person: a group of five therefore pays 100,000 F for the shoot.

On top of that comes the clear kayak rental, at 6,000 F per kayak. A tandem kayak is enough for two people. A concrete example: a couple booking a shoot in a tandem kayak pays 50,000 F for the shoot and 6,000 F for the kayak, so 56,000 F in total. One person pays 35,000 F plus 6,000 F, so 41,000 F. A group of four friends in two tandem kayaks pays 80,000 F for the shoot and 12,000 F for the kayaks, so 92,000 F.

Why this price? It covers the pilot’s work, the equipment, supervision on the water, pose direction and delivery of your photos and videos the same day. There are no hidden fees. However, for shoots at Lac Rose or at the Pointe des Almadies, which are on request, transporting the kayaks to the spot is paid by the customer: we give you the amount when you book.

Should you compare with other providers? Yes, of course, and we even recommend it. But compare like with like: a lower rate that includes no pose direction, no supervision on the water and no fast delivery is not necessarily a good deal. Conversely, a general drone photographer may be better suited for a project on land. The right choice is the one that fits your project, your setting and your schedule.

Preparing your shoot

Choose your outfit carefully. On the water, bright colours stand out best: red, yellow, pink, orange, white. Long dresses and flowing fabrics add movement and spread beautifully over the clear hull. Avoid blue and green, which blend into the sea. For a group, coordinated outfits, in the same colour range or contrasting, make very graphic images. Wear swimwear underneath and bring a change of clothes.

Think about timing. Our bases are open every day from 11am to 7pm. Late morning often brings a calmer sea and high light that brings out the seabed. Late afternoon gives warmer, golden light. If water colour is your priority, come earlier; if mood is, come later. Either way, keep in mind that water clarity varies with the swell and the season and that no one can guarantee it in advance.

Prepare a few ideas. Save two or three photos you like on your phone, from our Instagram account or elsewhere. It helps the pilot quickly understand the style you are after. If you are planning a proposal or a surprise, let us know in advance so we can discreetly organise the scene.

Practical details. Apply sunscreen before you arrive, tie your hair back if it is windy or leave it loose for a lying pose, take off jewellery that could fall into the water and keep your phone dry. Arrive a few minutes early to settle in without stress. Above all, relax: the most beautiful images are often the ones where you forget the drone. For more on poses, spots and staging ideas, read our guide to the drone photoshoot in Dakar, or see the Drone photoshoot page with our packages.

Frequently asked questions