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Hot Air Balloon Photography Tips for Dubai

By Qunoosh Published: September 19, 2026 Updated on: October 08, 2026 5 min read
Back to Blog Articles Deluxe Exotic Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast — prices updated today 3,000 AED 4,000 AED

A sunrise balloon flight over the Dubai desert is one of the most photogenic things you can do in the UAE. It's also surprisingly easy to come home with blurry, washed-out photos, because the light changes fast, the basket moves and you only get one try.

These tips will help you get strong shots quickly, so you can spend most of the flight just looking.

Quick Answer

  • Bring one camera or phone with a wide lens, and a strap. Don't change lenses in the air.
  • Shoot the inflation in the dark, the sunrise, your balloon's shadow on the dunes, and other balloons for scale.
  • Use a fast shutter speed (1/500s or faster in daylight) and expose for the sky at sunrise.
  • Drones aren't allowed, and nothing can be dropped from the basket, so secure everything.

What Gear to Bring

Phone photographers

A modern phone does a great job here. Make sure it's fully charged (you'll leave your hotel around 4 am) and clear some storage. Use the ultra-wide lens for the landscape and switch to the standard lens for the other balloons. A wrist strap or lanyard is strongly recommended.

Camera photographers

  • Lens: a wide-to-standard zoom (around 16–35mm or 24–70mm on full frame) covers almost everything. A short telephoto (70–200mm) is useful for other balloons and wildlife, but only bring it if you can do without changing lenses mid-flight.
  • Two bodies are better than one lens change: sand and wind at the landing site make lens swaps risky.
  • Spare battery in an inside pocket; cold mornings drain batteries faster.
  • No tripod. There's no room and the basket moves anyway.

What to leave at home

  • Drones: not permitted near balloons.
  • Big camera bags: space in the basket is tight.
  • Lens caps you can't clip on: anything you drop is gone.

Settings That Work

MomentLightSuggested settings
Inflation (dark)Very low, with bright burner flashesWidest aperture, ISO 1600–6400, 1/125s. Time your shot with the burner flame.
Pre-sunrise in the airLow, bluef/2.8–f/4, ISO 400–1600, 1/250s
SunriseHigh contrastExpose for the sky; −0.7 to −1 EV exposure compensation. f/5.6–f/8, 1/500s+
Full daylightBrightf/8, ISO 100–200, 1/1000s

On a phone, tap on the bright sky to set exposure, then drag the exposure slider down slightly to keep the colour in the sunrise. Turn off the flash for the whole trip.

Shot List: What to Photograph

1. The inflation

The launch field in the dark, full of balloons lighting up with each burst from the burners, is often the best photo of the day. Get low, frame a balloon against the night sky, and wait for the flame.

2. Inside the envelope

If you get a chance before the balloon is fully upright, point your camera up into the opening at the glowing fabric. Only do this where the crew says it is safe to stand.

3. The sunrise over the dunes

Include some of the dunes and, if you can, another balloon in the frame. A sunrise with nothing in the foreground looks like any other sunrise.

4. Your balloon's shadow

Soon after sunrise, the balloon throws a long, sharp shadow across the sand. Shoot straight down or at an angle so the dune ridges run through the frame.

5. Other balloons for scale

A small balloon over a huge sea of dunes shows how big the desert really is. Use a longer focal length to compress the scene.

6. Wildlife and desert life

Oryx, gazelles and camel farms look great from above. Use a fast shutter speed, as both you and they are moving.

7. People in the basket

Turn around. Your travel companions lit by the golden sunrise, with the burner flame overhead, make a better souvenir than another landscape.

8. The landing and pack-up

The crew packing the huge envelope into the sand, and the 4x4s lined up at the landing field, round off the story.

Composition Tips

  • Keep the horizon level. It's easy to tilt when leaning on the basket edge.
  • Avoid the basket rim in the corner of your frame, or use it on purpose as a frame.
  • Shoot in bursts during the burner flames and sunrise.
  • Shoot RAW (or ProRAW on iPhone) if you edit; sunrise colours recover much better.

Which Flight Is Best for Photography?

Every flight follows the same sunrise schedule. The advantage of a private balloon is space: you can move to either side of the basket without squeezing past other guests. Breakfast in the Sky uses a seated basket with a butler, which is great for relaxed lifestyle shots. For couples, an evening desert photoshoot pairs well with a morning flight.

Private Hot Air Balloon Charter (Up to 10 Guests)
Dubai

Private Hot Air Balloon Charter (Up to 10 Guests)

Approx. 4-5 Hours (Early Morning) Pickup Mobile
Starting From
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Breakfast in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Experience
Dubai

Breakfast in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Experience

Approx. 5 Hours (Early Morning) Pickup Mobile
Starting From
4,999 AED
Details
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Deluxe Exotic Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast
Dubai

Deluxe Exotic Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast

Approx. 5-6 Hours (Early Morning) Pickup Mobile
Starting From
3,000 AED 4,000 AED
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Practical Tips on the Day

  • Wipe your lens before take-off; condensation can form when moving from a warm car into cold desert air.
  • Keep a cap on; heat from the burners is noticeable, and it keeps glare off your screen.
  • Hold on during landing. Put the camera away when the crew asks you to take the landing position.
  • Put the camera down for a few minutes. Seriously, just watch the sun come up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a selfie stick?

Short handheld sticks are usually fine if secured with a strap, but check with the crew during the briefing, as space is limited on shared flights.

Can I fly a drone to film the balloon?

No. Drones are not allowed around balloon operations.

Do I get any photos from the operator?

You receive a flight certificate. Photo packages may be offered on the day by the operator; ask the crew at the launch site.

Also read: what you see from a hot air balloon in Dubai.

Thank you for reading All UAE Tours Blog!

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