Light is the
whole job.
Okan Pictures is a photography and video studio in Dubai, led by Okan Atabay. Photography covers brand and product shoots, portraits and headshots, interiors and real estate, editorial work and event coverage, shot on a Canon R5C with professional lighting and delivered fully retouched.
A selection of portrait, editorial and location work, shot in Dubai and in the studio. Every image below was lit rather than found: a shape built for the subject, the background separated, and the colour graded afterwards.
Why lighting decides everything
Most photography in Dubai is shot in whatever light happens to be in the room. That is why so much brand imagery looks flat: correctly exposed, and nothing else. Fifteen years of film work means lighting is not an afterthought here. A shape is built for the subject, the background is separated from it, and colour is graded afterwards the same way a film is graded.
The difference shows up on a phone screen, which is where most of these images end up. A well lit portrait reads instantly at thumbnail size. An evenly lit one disappears.
What you get
- Full gallery to review, final selection retouched
- High resolution files for print, plus web sized versions ready to upload
- Vertical crops for Instagram and horizontal for websites, framed separately rather than cut down
- Delivery within five working days
What it costs
Common questions
How much does a photographer cost in Dubai?
Photography at Okan Pictures starts at 1,200 AED for a one hour shoot at a single location with up to 20 retouched images. A half day is 2,900 AED with up to 40 images, and a full day 4,500 AED with up to 80. Additional retouched images are 75 AED each.
How many photos do I actually receive?
You review the full gallery from the shoot and choose the images you want finished. Only the selected ones are retouched, so you are paying for images you will use rather than a large folder you never open.
Do you shoot in a studio or on location?
Both. Most brand and business work is shot on location, in your restaurant, salon, showroom or office, because the space is part of the story. Studio work is available for portraits, products and editorial where a controlled background is the point.
Can you shoot photo and video on the same day?
Yes, and it is usually the cheaper option. The setup, the lighting and the travel are already paid for, so adding photography to a video shoot costs far less than booking it separately. Real estate agents book this combination as standard.
How much retouching is included?
Colour, exposure, skin and general clean up are included on every selected image. Heavier work such as object removal or compositing is quoted separately.
Do you shoot product photography?
Yes, on location or against a clean background, including the lighting setups needed for reflective and glass products. Product shoots are usually booked as a half or full day depending on the number of items.
What should I prepare before a shoot?
A short list of where the images will be used, since a website header, a menu and an Instagram grid need different framing. Beyond that, the space should be tidy and anyone appearing on camera should know roughly when they are needed.