The Zen of Yacht Photography: M/Y Satori
I recently spent a day on the water near the pine-fringed coasts of Agistri and the turquoise waters of Aponissos documenting the M/Y Satori. An Italian-built masterpiece from Cantieri Navali Santa Margherita, Satori lives up to her name—which means "Enlightenment"—offering a meticulously refit space designed for a calm, sophisticated charter experience.
For this project, I once again teamed up with Dimitris Tzankatian for the drone photography and videography, capturing the 108-foot yacht as she navigated the hidden gems of the Saronic Gulf.
Chasing the Light: The Logistics of a Single Day
When a yacht is commissioned for a single-day shoot, there is no room for error. We believe in maximizing every minute of the owner's investment. This means our day starts well before the sun rises—usually at 4:00 or 5:00 AM—to ensure we are on location and ready to capture the first "blue hour" light.
Starting early isn't just about the aesthetics of natural light; it’s about efficiency. Keeping a ship out for multiple days is a significant expense for the owner and can be exhausting for the crew. By starting pre-dawn, we can capture the full spectrum of light—from the soft morning glow to the bright midday sun for the toy action shots—and be finished without wearing out the crew or extending the budget.
Volume and Craftsmanship
What stands out immediately about Satori is her 24-foot beam. This width allows for an incredibly voluminous interior that I treated with an architectural photography lens. I focused on the premium raw materials and the impeccable craftsmanship of the 2023 refit, ensuring the brand-new upholstery and refined textures were captured in their best light.
The salon, with its panoramic views and plush wrap-around seating, was a highlight. I wanted the images to reflect the "Zen" atmosphere the owners have cultivated—a space that feels like a floating sanctuary.
Efficiency on the Water
By the time the sun is fully up, we have already banked our most critical interior and exterior shots. This disciplined approach allowed us to document Satori’s unique five-suite layout and her extensive toy collection in a single day. The result is a complete library of marine media that helps prospective guests visualize their time onboard, delivered through a process that respects the ship's operational realities.
Drone Photography by : Dimitris Tzankatian