The drone photoshoot in Dakar has become one of the city’s most sought-after souvenirs: a colourful figure in a clear kayak, photographed from the sky above the ocean. Here is our complete guide to getting yours right: choosing the setting, outfits, poses that work, group compositions, ideas for every occasion and mistakes to avoid.
At Senegal Nautique, we run drone photoshoots every week, in Ouakam, Ngor and Almadies, and at Lac Rose on request. We have photographed solo travellers, couples, mothers-to-be, groups of friends, content creators and families. Over the sessions, we have learned what makes a beautiful image from the sky, and what spoils it. This guide shares those observations so you arrive prepared and leave with the photos you dreamed of.
In short: the drone photoshoot takes place in a clear kayak, guided by our pilot, with photos and videos delivered the same day. It costs 35,000 F for one person, 25,000 F per person for two and 20,000 F per person from three, plus kayak rental at 6,000 F. Bright colours, flowing fabrics and a calm late morning give the best results. Ideally, book 24 to 48 hours ahead.
How a drone photoshoot works
The idea is simple. You sit in a clear kayak, close to shore, in a sheltered area. Our pilot flies the drone above you and guides you throughout the shoot. The kayak, with its invisible hull, makes it look as if you are floating directly on the water, above the rocks and sand. From the sky, the image is graphic and bright: a clear shape, a figure, vivid colours against the green and blue of the sea.
The shoot happens in several stages. The pilot starts with wide shots to set the scene, then gradually comes down for tighter shots where your face and outfit details are visible. They suggest different poses, lying down, sitting, arms open, moving with the paddle, and adjust their position to the light. They also film videos: rises that reveal the landscape, moves around you, still shots where you paddle gently.
As for prices, the shoot costs 35,000 F for one person, 25,000 F per person for two, i.e. 50,000 F, and 20,000 F per person from three. Clear kayak rental is extra, at 6,000 F per kayak, and a tandem kayak is enough for two. A couple therefore pays 56,000 F in total. For shoots at Lac Rose or the Pointe des Almadies, on request, transporting the kayaks is paid by the customer.
At the end, your photos and videos are delivered by AirDrop right after the shoot, or later in the day via WhatsApp, WeTransfer or Google Drive. You can post them the same evening. To book, use our booking page or message us on WhatsApp at +221 77 867 55 58. And if you are still choosing a provider, our article on finding a drone photographer in Dakar explains how to choose well.
Ouakam, Ngor, Almadies or Lac Rose: which setting?
Each base gives a different style of image, and choosing the setting is the first creative decision of your shoot. In Ouakam, at the foot of the Mosque of the Divinity, the seabed is volcanic and rocky. In a calm sea, it shows as dark patches beneath green or turquoise water, which gives very textured, almost abstract images. It is the most requested setting for top-down photos, and the most spectacular when the sea is clear.
In Ngor, the bay facing the island often has calmer water and more even tones. Images there are softer and cleaner: the figure stands out against an almost plain green background, which especially flatters colourful outfits. It is also a practical spot for families, thanks to the shelter of the island. In wide shots, Ngor island and its houses add a recognisable landmark.
In Almadies, on request, the beach of the former Club Med offers clear shallows at the westernmost tip of Africa. The water there is often a bright green, and the coast gives a different setting from Ouakam and Ngor. At Lac Rose, also on request, the setting changes completely: the very salty water can take on pink tints depending on the light and the season, and you can add the water ball for playful images. The lake’s colour is never guaranteed, but the atmosphere is unique.
How to choose? If you dream of rocky seabeds and turquoise, choose Ouakam on a calm day. If you want clean images that make your outfit stand out, Ngor is ideal. If you want to get off the beaten track, ask for Almadies or Lac Rose. Either way, the team recommends the best spot for the day’s light and sea, and will not hesitate to suggest a change if conditions are better elsewhere.
Outfits and colours
From the sky, your outfit is the most visible part of the image. It needs to stand out against the water. The colours that work best are bright, warm colours: red, yellow, orange, pink, fuchsia. White is also an excellent choice: it stands out very well against green water and gives bright, elegant images. Colourful prints, wax, flowers, polka dots, stripes, add character and read well in close-up.
On the other hand, avoid blue, green and turquoise, which blend into the sea and make the figure disappear. Black can work if it is lifted with touches of colour, but it absorbs light and makes details harder to read. Very tight, dark outfits rarely give the best result from above.
As for cut, long dresses and flowing fabrics rule the drone photoshoot. A dress spreading over the clear hull or spilling slightly onto the water creates movement and shapes you cannot get any other way. Kaftans, light boubous, sarongs and full skirts work very well. A colourful swimsuit is perfect for a sportier or summery style, especially for content creators.
Accessories can complete the image: a wide-brimmed straw hat, sunglasses, a scarf, a flower crown. Use them sparingly, and think about the wind: a hat that blows away ends up in the water. For a group, coordinate colours: everyone in white, everyone in warm tones, or each in a different bright colour for a rainbow effect. Finally, wear swimwear under your outfit and bring a towel and a change of clothes: you might get a little wet. If you have several outfits, bring them: you can change between two series of shots, on the beach, to vary the images from the same shoot.
Your best photo is waiting
Drone photoshoot in a clear kayak from 35,000 F, kayak extra. Photos and videos delivered the same day, book 24 to 48 hours ahead.
Book my photoshootPoses that work
Posing for a drone has nothing to do with posing for a photographer on the ground. The camera is above you: what matters is the shape your body draws when seen from above. The most iconic pose is the lying pose: you stretch out in the kayak, face turned to the sky, arms along your body or above your head, dress spread out. It gives a calm, elegant image and shows off the transparency of the hull.
The arms-open pose, like a star, is the most graphic. Lying or sitting, you spread your arms on either side of the kayak, sometimes until they touch the water. From the sky, the figure forms a bright cross in the middle of the sea. A variation: let one hand trail in the water or your feet stick out at the back to add movement. The sitting pose, legs crossed or stretched out, looking at the drone, works well for tighter shots where your smile shows.
Poses in motion add life. Paddle gently while the drone follows you, lay the paddle across the kayak to create a line, wave at the drone, turn your head towards the horizon. For video, these simple gestures make natural sequences, far nicer than a frozen pose. The pilot tells you the right moment for each move.
A few general rules help. Look at the drone for close-ups, or close your eyes and lift your chin for a more contemplative effect. Keep your movements slow and wide: from above, small movements do not show. Spread your outfit before each shot. Above all, relax your shoulders and hands: a tense posture shows even from twenty metres. Our pilot guides you step by step, shows you examples and tries again as often as needed. You do not need to be a model to get beautiful images, just follow their directions and enjoy the moment.
As a couple or a group
The drone photoshoot takes on another dimension with several people. For a couple, the tandem kayak allows intimate poses: lying head to toe, hand in hand, one sitting and the other lying down, or face to face. From the sky, two figures in the same clear hull immediately tell a story. For a marriage proposal, the drone can capture the moment of the question with no one standing next to you: let us know in advance and we will organise everything discreetly.
For a group, composition becomes the heart of the image. Several kayaks can be placed side by side, in a line, in a fan, in a star, or touching at the tips to form a shape. Participants can also hold hands from one kayak to another, or lie down with their arms linked. These are often the most spectacular images of a shoot, and the most shared afterwards.
Coordinating outfits matters enormously in a group. Choose a simple rule: the same colour for everyone, a shared palette, or a different colour per person for a rainbow effect. Make sure no one is dressed in blue or green, or they will vanish from the image. For a birthday or a bachelorette party, a distinctive outfit for the guest of honour makes them stand out straight away.
Budget-wise, the price per person drops with the group size: 25,000 F per person for two, then 20,000 F per person from three, kayaks extra. A group of six friends in three tandem kayaks pays 120,000 F for the shoot and 18,000 F for the kayaks. Just allow a bit more time to set everyone up, and book ahead, especially at weekends, so we can prepare the right number of kayaks.
Ideas for every occasion
Travel memory. For a first visit to Dakar, focus on the setting: a wide shot showing the Ouakam coast or Ngor island, then close-ups of you in the kayak. A colourful local outfit, a wax print or a light boubou, roots the image in the country and makes it unique. Honeymoon or couple’s anniversary. Choose matching outfits, white or in warm tones, and ask for a few video shots of you paddling together.
Pregnancy shoot. A long, flowing dress, ideally white, pale pink or red, spread over the clear hull, with your hands resting on your bump. The shoot takes place close to shore, in calm water, and you stay lying or sitting: it is a gentle, effortless session. Talk to your doctor if you have the slightest doubt, and let us know so we choose the most sheltered spot.
Birthdays and bachelorette parties. Coordinated outfits, a special colour for the person being celebrated, star or line compositions, and a few videos in motion for social media. Content creators and brands. Prepare a shot list: wide shots for the setting, close-ups for the product or outfit, vertical videos for short formats. Same-day delivery lets you post quickly.
For posting, think about format. Top-down photos crop very well vertically for stories and reels. Rise videos, where the drone starts on you and reveals the coast, work especially well as an opener. Feel free to tag us on Instagram or TikTok, @senegalnautique: we love seeing your images. And if you want to combine the shoot with another activity, a jet ski tour in Mermoz or a boat trip round off the day very well.
Mistakes to avoid
Choosing a blue or green outfit. It is the most common mistake, and the most regretted. From the sky, a turquoise dress on turquoise water disappears. If in doubt, bring two outfits: the team will help you choose on the spot. Coming at the wrong time. A late afternoon shoot gives beautiful warm colours but shows less of the bottom; if you dream of clear water and visible rocks, choose late morning.
Ignoring the weather. A rough or murky sea will not give the images you imagine. Call the base on the day, and accept a change if the team advises it: we would rather postpone a shoot than deliver disappointing photos. Remember: water clarity and colour vary with the swell, the wind and the season, and no one can guarantee them in advance. Our guide to clear water in Dakar helps you pick the right day.
Booking at the last minute. Weekend and late afternoon slots go fast. Book 24 to 48 hours ahead to have a choice of time and spot. Too many accessories. A hat, sunglasses, lovely; a pile of objects clutters the image from the sky and may end up in the water. Keep it simple.
Tensing up. The drone can be intimidating at first. Take a few minutes to get used to it, breathe, listen to the pilot and enjoy the water. The best images are often taken halfway through the shoot, once you have forgotten the camera. Forgetting comfort. Sunscreen applied beforehand, hair tied back if it is windy, fragile jewellery left on shore, phone kept dry: these small details let you focus on what matters, your moment on the water. And if a question comes up before the shoot, message us: we would rather answer it the day before than see you hesitate on the water.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone photoshoot in Dakar cost?
35,000 F for one person, 25,000 F per person for two and 20,000 F per person from three. Clear kayak rental is extra, at 6,000 F per kayak.
What should you wear for a drone photoshoot?
Bright colours or white: red, yellow, orange, pink. Long dresses and flowing fabrics add movement. Avoid blue, green and turquoise, which blend into the sea.
Where can you do a drone photoshoot in Dakar?
In Ouakam, Ngor or Almadies, and at Lac Rose on request. Ouakam has rocky seabeds, Ngor calmer water and cleaner images.
What is the best time for a drone photoshoot?
Late morning for clear water and a visible seabed, late afternoon for warmer light. Water colour is never guaranteed and depends on the day’s sea.
Can you do a drone photoshoot as a couple or a group?
Yes, and the price per person drops with the group size. Couples, friends, families and bachelorette parties are welcome, with compositions using several kayaks.
Do you need to know how to pose for a drone photoshoot?
No. Our pilot guides you throughout the shoot, shows you examples and tells you which poses and gestures work from the sky.
When do you receive the drone photos?
Right after the shoot by AirDrop, or later in the day via WhatsApp, WeTransfer or Google Drive.