How to Take Incredible Photos from a Hot Air Balloon
A hot air balloon ride over Melbourne offers views that few get to see—and for photography lovers, it’s pure magic. From the first flicker of sunrise to the moment you float above the city skyline, every second is picture-perfect.
Here’s how to capture it all and take home photos as unforgettable as the flight itself.
1. Keep It Simple — Focus on the Feeling
The best balloon photos aren’t always about technical perfection—they’re about emotion. Capture the wonder on your fellow passengers’ faces, the warm glow of sunrise, or the peaceful curve of the Yarra River below.
📸 Tip: Include part of the basket or the edge of the balloon in your shot—it helps tell the story of where you are.
2. Use Natural Light to Your Advantage
Sunrise lighting is soft, golden, and constantly changing. The first few minutes after takeoff often give you the most dramatic skies, with gentle pinks and golds that gradually brighten into daylight.
📸 Tip: Shoot toward the horizon for richer colours, and adjust exposure slightly lower to avoid washing out the sunrise.
3. Choose the Right Gear
You don’t need a professional setup—smartphones today can capture stunning shots. But if you’re using a camera:
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture sweeping landscapes.
Use a fast shutter speed to reduce motion blur as the balloon drifts.
Keep straps secure; there’s no retaking a dropped camera!
📸 Pro tip: Clean your lens before takeoff—early morning mist can cause soft haze.
4. Frame Melbourne’s Icons
From the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to Flinders Street Station, include recognizable landmarks in your photos to give them scale and context. These details instantly tell viewers, “This is Melbourne.”
📸 Tip: Try shooting with the Yarra River winding through the frame—it leads the viewer’s eye through the image naturally.
5. Capture the Changing Light
One of the most magical things about a sunrise hot air balloon flight is how quickly the light transforms. Take a few shots every few minutes—the soft dawn glow, the first golden rays, and the bright morning light each create their own atmosphere.
📸 Tip: Use HDR mode on your phone for better balance between sky and landscape.
6. Don’t Forget the People
Some of the best photos from a balloon ride aren’t of the view at all—they’re of the experience. Take candid shots of passengers watching the sunrise or the pilot operating the burners. These moments tell the real story of ballooning.
7. Enjoy the Moment
It’s easy to get caught up in taking the perfect photo, but remember—the most incredible pictures often come when you pause, breathe, and simply look around. Capture the view, but also let yourself feel it.
✨ Ready to take photos above the clouds?
Join us for a Melbourne sunrise hot air balloon flight and bring your camera—the sky will do the rest.