Selçuk is the small town in İzmir province that sits next to Ephesus, and most visitors pass through it on the way to the Library of Celsus without looking up. That is a mistake for anyone planning photographs. The town has its own hilltop monuments, storks nesting on Byzantine aqueduct pillars, a hill village among vineyards a short drive away and a long empty beach on the coast. Ephesus may be the reason you come, but it is rarely the easiest place for a session.
Ephesus: what is realistic
The ancient city is one of the most visited sites in Türkiye. The Library of Celsus, the marble-paved Curetes Street and the Great Theatre are magnificent, and from mid-morning they are packed with tour groups, many arriving from cruise ships at nearby Kuşadası.
Two points matter for a photoshoot. First, Ephesus is a ticketed archaeological site, and professional or commercial photography there generally requires official permission. A couple in wedding clothes accompanied by a photographer with professional equipment is likely to be asked for it. Second, even with permission you will not have the place to yourselves. The practical approach is to arrive at opening time, head straight for the library before the groups, keep the styling simple and move quickly. Marble underfoot is polished and slippery, and summer heat among the stones is intense.
Many couples settle for casual pictures in Ephesus as ordinary visitors and hold their proper session elsewhere in Selçuk. It is a sensible compromise.
Locations in Selçuk town
- Ayasuluk Hill. The ruins of the Basilica of St John and the castle above it stand on the hill over the town, with views across the plain towards the sea. The site is ticketed but far calmer than Ephesus; the same permission rule applies to professional work.
- İsa Bey Mosque. A fourteenth-century mosque at the foot of the hill with a handsome courtyard and stone façade. Dress modestly and avoid prayer times.
- The aqueduct and the storks. Remains of the Byzantine aqueduct run through the centre of town, and storks build large nests on top of the pillars in spring and summer. Cafés beneath make this an easy, charming spot.
- The Temple of Artemis. One reconstructed column stands in a marshy field where one of the wonders of the ancient world once stood, with the mosque, basilica and castle lined up on the hill behind.
Şirince
About eight kilometres into the hills, Şirince is a village of old white houses with tiled roofs stacked up a slope among olive trees, orchards and vines. Its cobbled lanes and views over rooftops are a favourite for engagement sessions. The main street fills with day-trippers and stalls from late morning, particularly at weekends, so come early or stay until the coaches leave. The upper lanes are quieter at any hour.
Pamucak beach
West of town, Pamucak is a long, wide strand of dark sand facing the open Aegean. It faces the sunset and has room to spare, which makes it a strong choice for the final half hour of a session. It can be windy.
Seasons and light
April, May and early June are the best months: the plain is green, poppies appear among the ruins and the storks are on their nests. July and August are very hot, and anything outside the first and last hours of daylight is hard work. September and October bring softer light and the grape harvest around Şirince. Winter is mild and quiet, with rain.
Choosing and booking a photographer
Photographers who work here may be based in Selçuk, Kuşadası or İzmir. When you make enquiries:
- Ask for full galleries from Selçuk, Şirince or Ephesus rather than a selection of highlights.
- Be clear about whether you want to shoot inside a ticketed site, and ask who arranges permission and how long it takes.
- Agree a route. Selçuk, Şirince and Pamucak can be combined in an afternoon if the order is planned around the light.
- Confirm the number of edited images, delivery time and any travel fee.
- Have deposit, cancellation and rescheduling terms written into a contract.
- For aerial images, check that the drone is registered and that flying is permitted; protected sites are restricted.
Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and a hat in summer, and bring a second pair of shoes for the photographs themselves.
Browse the photographer directory to compare professionals near Selçuk, and if you photograph in the area, add a free listing. For more locations, see more Türkiye photography guides.
Cover photo: Ephesus Celsus Library Façade.jpg by Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
