Atatürk Arboretum

In Bahçeköy, Sarıyer, right on the edge of Belgrad Forest, lies a hidden garden: Atatürk Arboretum. A living museum of trees, where species brought from different corners of the world grow side by side, it is one of Istanbul’s most peaceful corners of nature.

Willows bending over the water, wooden piers stretching across the ponds, soft grassy clearings and golden light filtering through the trees. Every corner of the arboretum sets a different scene; the white of the gown meets the reflections on the water and the warm tones of the leaves, creating fairytale, cinematic photographs.

Highlights

• Ponds and wooden piers over the water, with reflections that add depth to every frame
• Tree species from around the world, giving each corner its own texture
• Soft light filtered by the trees, especially in the golden hours before sunset
• Colours that change with every season: the fresh green of spring, the warm tones of autumn

Photographer’s note

As Atatürk Arboretum is a protected research area, professional shoots require a permit and a fee; we recommend confirming the current conditions and visiting hours before your date. The grounds are large and partly grass and earth, so we recommend choosing your gown and shoes with this in mind. We prefer the afternoon and the hours close to sunset, when the light is at its most beautiful.