From a Windy Day in Miami to the Skies of Santorini
THE STORY OF HOW A VISION TOOK FLIGHT
In 2016, on the golden sands of Miami Beach, destiny caught the wind.
Photographer Aleksandr Chaltcev and stylist-turned-makeup artist Elina Chaltceva, a creative husband-and-wife duo, spent their winter holidays in the sun-soaked heart of South Florida. What started as a casual photoshoot soon turned into something magical. The wind picked up, catching the scarlet silk of a client's dress—and suddenly, she wasn’t just standing on the beach. She was flying.
That moment, when fabric met the breeze just right, ignited something much bigger than a photo. The client felt transformed: empowered, graceful, radiant. The next day, she brought her friends to relive that exact moment. And that’s how it began—the birth of what would become a global phenomenon in luxury portraiture.
THE BIRTH OF A CONCEPT
The idea of the Santorini flying dress experience wasn’t born in Greece—it was born in the wind.
Alexander and Elina tried to recreate that feeling again and again. But not every fabric flies. They quickly learned that to achieve true weightless beauty, the dress had to be designed for flight. So they went back to the drawing board, working closely with a master seamstress to create custom patterns and hand-select the lightest, highest-quality materials. The first dress flew. The second soared.
They expanded the collection to include a palette of vibrant colors and striking silhouettes—red, pink, yellow, azure, and even a bold black-and-white striped gown. Every detail was intentional. Every photo, iconic.
Meet the Visionaries
Aleksandr Chaltcev
Founder & Creative Director
is the heartbeat behind the lens. With over a decade of international photography experience—including seasons at Fashion Week—his direction turns first-time clients into confident icons. He personally conducts every photoshoot, guiding each guest through elegant, empowered poses that capture beauty in motion.
Ella Chaltceva
Co-Founder & Makeup and Hair Specialist
is the soul behind the styling. With a background in both hairstyling and luxury beauty, she ensures each client looks and feels radiant. From makeup artistry to dress flow management, Elina’s presence is both grounding and glamorous. Together, they craft unforgettable moments for every guest who steps into one of their gowns.
A New Chapter: Santorini
After several successful seasons in Miami and the Dominican Republic, the couple returned to Greece, where they had lived before their U.S. chapter. It brought their vision to one of the world's most photographed islands: Santorini.
There, they established Miami Dress Photo as a Greece-based brand with an international soul.
The volcanic cliffs and blue domes of Santorini were the perfect canvas for their concept. The wind, light, and color palette were simply cinematic. Their Santorini flying dress photoshoot became a signature experience—one that offered more than a photograph. It offered transformation.
The Experience
Over the last decade, Miami Dress Photo has curated thousands of flying dress photoshoots across Miami, the Dominican Republic, and Santorini. What began as an experiment is now a celebrated, full-scale operation with nearly 40 custom gowns, a global network of collaborators, and a loyal clientele spanning continents.
Each photoshoot is more than a session—it’s an experience. Clients become fashion muses, elevated by the landscape, guided by professionals, and captured at their most radiant.
Our mission is to help every woman embrace her power, femininity, and elegance—one breathtaking photograph at a time.