400 Wild Horses
Cappadocia wild horses photoshoot at sunset.
Balloons own the morning. The evening belongs to the wild horses. Just outside Cappadocia, four hundred of them run free across the open steppe at golden hour.
For one private session you’re right there with them, walking among the herd as the dust turns gold. You leave with photos and a cinematic film of the evening you’ll talk about for years.
A wild horses photoshoot in Cappadocia, step by step
Most people come to Cappadocia for the balloons, and they are right to. But if you have one free evening, spend it with the wild horses. A short drive from Göreme, hundreds of horses live free on the open steppe. They are not a show and they are not saddled for tourists. At golden hour, local handlers bring the herd together and let it run, and you stand in the middle of it on foot.
I am Mehmet, a photographer based in Göreme. I have been photographing couples here for thirteen years, and this is still the session that surprises people most: low, warm light, dust hanging in the air, and the sound of the hooves, which you feel more than hear.
What happens during the session
I pick you up from your hotel about two hours before sunset; the field is roughly thirty minutes from Göreme. We start with relaxed portraits on the steppe while the light softens, so you are comfortable in front of the camera before the horses arrive. Around forty minutes before sunset the handlers bring the herd in. You walk into it, step back out whenever you like, and I photograph you as the horses gather and run around you. To finish, you sit on a calm, standing horse with a handler at its head for your on-horseback portrait. You are back at your hotel soon after dark.
Is it safe? Do I need to ride?
You do not need any riding experience. Guests are never put on a running horse and never chase the herd. The handlers know these horses well and decide when the herd moves and where you stand. The on-horseback photo is taken on a quiet horse that is not going anywhere. If you are an experienced rider with plenty of hours in the saddle, tell me when you book and we will plan a rider version with a trained horse and a handler beside you.
What to wear with the wild horses
Long, light dresses look beautiful in the wind and against the gold of the steppe: cream, white, rust, olive and deep red all work well. For men, linen shirts and earthy tones keep the frame calm. Wear shoes you can walk in on dry, uneven ground, and bring a light jacket for spring and autumn evenings. For colour ideas, see my guide on what to wear for a Cappadocia photoshoot.
Pair it with a sunrise balloon shoot
Many couples book the horses at sunset and the hot air balloons at sunrise on another day, so they leave with two completely different looks. The Diamond package puts both together, and the horses are a lovely way to celebrate the evening after a surprise proposal at sunrise.
Questions couples ask
How close do you get to the horses?
Close enough to hear the hooves and feel the dust. You walk among the herd on foot while it gathers and runs, with the handlers guiding where you stand.
Do I need riding experience?
No. The on-horseback portrait is taken on a calm, standing horse held by a handler. Experienced riders can ask for a rider version when booking.
How long does the session take?
About two hours door to door, from hotel pickup before sunset to drop-off after dark.
When will I receive my photos?
Edited photos and a short cinematic film are delivered within three weeks.
Can we come as a family or on our own?
Yes. Every session is private, and couples, families and solo travellers all join.