DJ Set Videography at Patara Beach That Reached 100K+ Views
How we transformed Turkey's most pristine beach into an epic filming location and created a viral DJ set video for YouTube.
YouTube Views in First Week
Lana Adamova DJ Set at Patara Beach
Some locations are so breathtaking that they almost film themselves. Patara Beach is one of those places. When Lana Adamova approached us about filming a DJ set for her YouTube channel, we knew we needed something extraordinary. Not just another sunset session on a crowded tourist beach, but something that would stop viewers mid-scroll and make them feel like they were right there with us.
That's exactly what we delivered. Working with my colleague Richard, we spent two days scouting, planning, and executing what became one of the most successful music video productions in our portfolio. The result? A video that captured the raw beauty of Turkey's longest beach at sunrise and exploded to over 100,000 views within the first week of posting.
This case study breaks down exactly how we made it happen, from the initial location scout to the 4 AM call time, the challenges we faced hauling a generator across sand dunes, and the creative decisions that made this project stand out in a crowded YouTube landscape.
Project Overview
Client
Lana Adamova
Platform
YouTube
Location
Patara Beach, Turkey
Production Time
2 Days
Set Duration
1 Hour
Result
100K+ Views
The project scope was clear but ambitious: create a visually stunning DJ set video that would showcase both Lana's talent and one of Turkey's most spectacular natural landscapes. This wasn't just about pointing a camera at someone mixing music. It was about creating an experience, a moment that viewers would want to share and return to again and again.
Why Patara Beach?
Patara Beach isn't just another Turkish coastline. Stretching 18 kilometers along the Mediterranean, it's officially one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in the entire world. But what makes it truly special for video production is what you won't find there: crowds, buildings, and the typical tourist infrastructure that clutters most coastal filming locations.
Pristine Landscape
18km of untouched golden sand with dramatic dunes rising up to 20 meters high, creating natural amphitheater-like settings.
Perfect Light
The east-facing beach catches the first rays of sunrise, painting everything in golden and pink hues that no filter can replicate.
Natural Isolation
Protected as a turtle nesting site, the beach has restricted access that keeps it quiet and unspoiled, perfect for audio recording.
Iconic Backdrop
Ancient Lycian ruins nearby add historical depth to the visual narrative, connecting modern electronic music with timeless landscapes.
The challenge with Patara, though, is that its beauty comes with complexity. There's no easy road access to the prime filming spots. No power outlets waiting for you on the dunes. And the protected status means you need to plan carefully to minimize environmental impact while maximizing production value.
The Production Journey
Great content doesn't happen by accident. Here's how we approached this project from start to finish, including the obstacles that almost derailed us and the solutions we found along the way.
Location Scouting
We arrived at Patara early afternoon and spent several hours exploring the beach. Most visitors stick to the main access point, but we knew the best shots would be further out. We walked the dunes, marked GPS coordinates for promising spots, and studied how the light would fall during the sunrise window.
- Identified three potential setups at different elevations
- Mapped access routes for equipment transport
- Tested sand stability for DJ equipment placement
- Photographed reference shots for planning
Planning & Prep
After scouting, we checked into a local hotel and spent the evening planning every detail. We reviewed the reference photos, finalized our shot list, calculated exact sunrise timing, and triple-checked our equipment. Sleep came early because we knew what was waiting for us.
Setup & Challenges
The alarm hit at 3:30 AM. By 4:00 AM, we were loading the car with cameras, stabilizers, DJ equipment, and the diesel generator that would power everything. We'd discovered a secondary road during scouting that got us closer to our chosen spot, but the last 200 meters had to be done on foot through soft sand.
⚡ The Generator Challenge
Carrying a heavy diesel generator up sand dunes in the dark was probably the hardest physical challenge I've faced on a shoot. The sand shifts under your feet, the weight throws off your balance, and every step feels like two. Richard and I took turns carrying it, stopping to catch our breath every 30 meters. It took us almost 45 minutes to get everything in position, but we made it.
The Shoot
By 5:15 AM, we had the DJ setup positioned on a dune overlooking the Mediterranean. As the first light started coloring the horizon, Lana began her set. For the next hour, we captured magic. Richard handled the ground-level cinematography while I worked the wider angles and drone shots. The sunrise cooperated beautifully, transitioning from deep purple to orange to golden as the set progressed.
- Multi-camera coverage for dynamic editing options
- Drone sweeps showcasing the landscape scale
- Close-up details of hands, equipment, expressions
- Natural ambient audio mixed with the live set
Creative Decisions That Made the Difference
Technical execution is important, but it's the creative choices that separate forgettable content from viral success. Here's what we did differently with this project.
Embracing the Environment
Too many DJ set videos fight against their location, using heavy color grading to create an artificial mood. We went the opposite direction. The natural colors of Patara at sunrise were so stunning that we kept our grading minimal, allowing the real beauty to shine through. Viewers can feel the difference between authentic and manufactured visuals.
Strategic Timing
Sunrise wasn't just a pretty backdrop. It was a narrative device. The set began in near-darkness and built alongside the growing light, creating a natural arc that matched the energy of the music. By the time Lana reached her peak tracks, the sun was fully up and the energy was electric.
"The location felt like it was performing alongside me. Every time I looked up from the decks, I couldn't believe where I was. That energy definitely came through in my mixing."
Movement and Scale
Static shots bore viewers quickly, especially in longer format content. We kept the cameras moving constantly, using a combination of handheld work for intimacy, gimbal shots for smooth movement, and drone footage for scale. The editing switches perspectives frequently enough to maintain visual interest without becoming chaotic.
💡 Production Tip
When filming in remote locations, always bring backup power and arrive earlier than you think necessary. Equipment issues and unexpected obstacles will eat into your setup time, and you can't ask the sun to wait.
Equipment & Technical Setup
Remote location filming demands reliable gear that can handle challenging conditions. Here's what we brought to Patara and why each piece mattered.
Primary Camera
Main Coverage
Professional cinema camera for the majority of shots, prioritizing low-light performance for pre-dawn filming.
Secondary Camera
B-Roll & Details
Compact mirrorless for quick repositioning and capturing spontaneous moments without disrupting the flow.
Drone
Aerial Perspectives
Professional drone platform for sweeping landscape shots and establishing the scale of the location.
Power Solution
Off-Grid Energy
Diesel generator providing reliable power for DJ equipment, lighting accents, and battery charging station.
Audio Considerations
Sound quality is often overlooked in DJ set videos, but it's half the experience. We captured both the direct output from Lana's mixer and ambient sound from the location. In post, we blended these together so viewers get the full power of the mix while still feeling like they're standing on that beach hearing the waves in the quiet moments.
The Results
Numbers only tell part of the story, but they're important. Here's what happened when the video went live on Lana's YouTube channel.
Week 1 Views
100,000+
Watch Time
High Retention
Engagement
Exceptional
Subscriber Impact
Significant Growth
Beyond the immediate metrics, the video continues to perform well in search and recommended feeds. Comments frequently mention the location as much as the music, with many viewers asking where Patara Beach is and planning visits to Turkey based on what they saw. That kind of organic tourism marketing is exactly the secondary value that makes these projects worthwhile for everyone involved.
Working with Amin and Richard was an incredible experience. They understood exactly what I wanted to achieve and then exceeded it. The video quality is professional, but more importantly, they captured a feeling. Every time I watch it, I'm transported back to that sunrise on the dunes.
Key Takeaways for Your Project
Whether you're planning a similar production or just curious about what goes into creating viral content, here are the lessons we took away from this shoot.
- Location scouting is non-negotiable. We spent almost as much time scouting as filming. That preparation time directly translated into a smoother shoot and better final product.
- Embrace natural light. The best cinematography works with available light rather than fighting against it. Plan your timing around golden hour and you'll get results no amount of post-processing can match.
- Prepare for the unexpected. The generator challenge could have derailed the entire shoot if we hadn't built buffer time into our schedule. Always have contingency plans.
- Story matters more than gear. We used professional equipment, but the video's success came from storytelling, capturing a journey from darkness to light that viewers could feel.
- Collaboration creates magic. The partnership between videography team and artist is crucial. Lana trusted us with her creative vision, and that trust allowed everyone to do their best work.
This project reminded me why I got into music video production in the first place. There's something special about combining technical craft with artistic vision in stunning natural settings. When everything comes together, the results speak for themselves.
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