The Most Trusted English-speaking Paris photographer

The rate for photographers in Paris depends on multiple factors—notably on the artist's quality, the type of photoshoot, and your photography package. While you may be able to book a Paris vacation photographer on Airbnb for as little as $26/per person, a minimum realistic starting price for an English-speaking artist is around Euro 200/per hour. Our packages start at only Euro 250/hour.

It may sound cliché, but you get what you pay for!

Some emerging Parisian photographers will throw in the proverbial kitchen sink and even take a loss to build a portfolio.

Still, ask yourself why any artist of value would commute 45 minutes into the City before sunrise, spend an hour shooting, depreciate her gear, and edit your photos at such a low rate.

The reality is you're already investing substantial time and resources into visiting Paris. Whether you're after couple photography, family portraits, a marriage proposal, or a solo traveler session, do you really want to risk a bad experience?

Or worse yet, have no recourse when your artist does not show up or delivers unflattering images?

Instead, we encourage you to reach out to a handful of established Paris photographers. Then, read up on reviews and probe for responsive communication.

Tipping at Kiss Me in Paris is neither required nor expected. Suppose your photographer or her associate incrementally enhances your experience or exceeds expectations. In that case, tips are a terrific way of showing appreciation.

Maybe you cannot afford to tip your photographer. Then there are other fantastic ways to show gratitude, such as through a hand-written Thank You note, a Christmas card, or a passionate online review.

When you intend to tip your Paris photographer, we recommend doing so directly. Remember that there's a good chance your artist works for a company and may not receive your full tip (due to taxes and other factors).

How much should you tip your professional photographer in Paris?

Well, there are no rules. It's entirely discretionary. As a rule of thumb, consider 10-15% of your photography package or whatever else feels right at the moment.

The perfect time of the year to do a professional photoshoot in Paris will be different for every couple, family, or solo traveler.

Expect to pay a premium for travel and vendors during the high season and on popular dates. January tends to be the cheapest month to stay and do a photoshoot in Paris. Conversely, Valentine's Day, Christmas through New Year, and May, June, and September are relatively more expensive.

The summer months attract many tourists. Yet, Paris feels particularly empty, considering that most Parisians escape the City during the warm season from late June to early September.

As such, it's easier to flag down a cab and commute between locations. Notably, it's an excellent opportunity to get ridiculously unique photos in otherwise busy spots like Bir-Hakeim, Pont d'Iéna, and Place de la Concorde.

A Paris photographer mini-session means different things to different folks. Typically, expect ten edited photos from a 30-minute photoshoot in one primary location, such as Trocadero (Eiffel Tower) or the Louvre Museum.

Here's an example of a Paris photographer mini session.

Who should book a Paris photographer mini session? Well, we're not big fans of a 30-minute photoshoot for multiple reasons:

1. Half an hour goes by so quickly that your Paris photoshoot will conclude just when things get interesting. Hey, we take great pride in rapidly breaking the ice and throwing ourselves in the proverbial deep end. However, unless you're already super-comfortable in front of the camera, it just takes a little time to warm up and shed unwanted camera awareness.
2. We think of Paris photography for tourists as an experience you'll enjoy with holiday memories that last a lifetime. Things should never feel rushed. More photo spots result in greater photo variety and better photos. Still, even 1 hour of photography coverage does not necessarily allow for multiple primary locations when you consider commute or the need for outfit changes.

Yes, it's possible, and encouraged to hire a family photographer in Paris. Here's our recommended resource.

When you book Kiss Me in Paris for your family travel shoot, we guarantee you'll have loads of fun and come away with unforgettable memories.

Paris is a fantastic place to do a travel shoot, whether you're after couple photography, a marriage proposal, an intimate wedding, or solo portraits.

Sure, the City of Lights is not for everyone … and does not even pretend to be. Yet, we think Paris is the ultimate playground for fun-loving, adventurous people, and here's why:

• From its trendy shopping streets to the carefree Bohemian spirit of the Left Bank, Paris tempts and inspires with lively cafés, world-renowned art & architecture, and countless hidden nooks to steal a few innocent French kisses.
• Paris boasts numerous postcard-worthy photo spots, including the uber-iconic Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, picturesque Montmartre, the greater Notre Dame area, and countless French cafés and bridges.
• It's surprisingly easy to identify talented English-speaking photographers to help you plan a fun photoshoot from thousands of miles away.
• Paris is always a good idea, right? You'll certainly not run out of fun things to do.
• And suppose you do desire a change of scenery. In that case, France offers more amazing attractions than you likely have vacation days. We're big fans of the glamorous French Riviera (Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Nice, and Cannes), the purple Lavender Fields of Provence, the utterly awe-inspiring Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and the famed wine-growing region of Bordeaux.

Paris is blessed with unique and swoon-worthy photo spots. In general, it helps to differentiate between:

• Public settings (free of charge and widely accessible to anyone) and private settings (you pay a premium in return for exclusivity and privacy);
• Eiffel Tower views vs. non-Eiffel Tower views

A private setting—such as a Parisian residential rooftop, hotel terrace, yacht, French Chateau, or even your hotel suite—is not always prettier than its public alternative. Yet, there are significant differences—notably for intimate events, such as marriage proposals, elopements, and anniversaries).

While not a definitive list, here are some of the most popular public spots to do a photoshoot in Paris (in no particular order):

For Eiffel Tower photos, Trocadero is the most iconic and instantly recognizable place in Paris. We only recommend it around sunrise unless you don't mind waiting in line, dealing with vendors, and other curious onlookers.

Montmartre: want quaint Parisian cafés and charming cobblestone streets? Then give Montmartre serious consideration. Like many tourist hotspots, Montmartre works best around sunrise and early morning. We cannot decide whether we prefer the expansive views immediately below Sacré-Cœur or the postcard-worthy winding street with La Maison Rose as the reference point.

Bir-Hakeim Bridge is a famous bridge with instantly recognizable architecture. It works pretty well for solo and couple photos, but not so much for families or marriage proposals. While not necessarily private, the bridge offers incredible photo variety and is a fantastic rain alternative when you have your heart set on the Eiffel Tower.

Alexander III Bridge is among the most elegant and beautiful bridges in Paris and photographs well any time of the day and night. Expect a more subtle view of the Iron Lady. This bridge is the perfect hub if you want nearby Petit Palais and the Seine River; alternatively, make the Louvre Museum or Montmartre your next stop.

Louvre Pyramid: the iconic museum is among the most recognizable and pretty monuments. Sure, the museum is public, and you'll need to show up early to beat the crowds. Yet, this stunning glass-and-metal structure is incredible when you're after the WOW factor.

Tuileries Garden Terrasse du Bord de l'Eau: located in the heart of the City and flanked on both sides by towering trees, this magnificent walkway is an ideal proposal setting when you desire privacy but don't want to rent a rooftop, terrace, or French Chateau. The esplanade works well any time of the day (note: verify the opening hours). The Louvre museum, Palais-Royal, Pont des Arts, and lively cafes are merely minutes away by foot.

Luxembourg Gardens. A place of natural beauty, the Jardin du Luxembourg will charm you with idyllic lawns, tree-lined alleys, and the historic Medici Fountain. Verify the opening hours and arrive early to beat the tourists.

Pont des Arts. This pedestrian bridge is superb when your lover desires some of the most picturesque vistas along the Seine River. While attaching engraved padlocks to the bridge is no longer possible, you'll not be disappointed. Pont des Arts offers expansive views of Paris; the best time to propose is sunrise and early morning.

Moulin Rouge: lights, music, stage, extravaganza ... no nighttime Paris photo session would be complete without a bigger-than-life Champagne pop at Moulin Rouge.

This infamous and flashy nightclub might be most renowned for its spectacular cabaret performances. Still, it's also one of the most instantly recognizable Parisian reference points, perfect for epic photos.

We suggest starting your evening session near Sacré-Cœur, followed by a cute Café photo shoot in the Place du Tertre square. Next, head to La Maison Rose for infinitely Pin-able romantic pictures before wrapping things up in style at Moulin Rouge.

Palais Royal: no serious discussion of the best photo locations in Paris would be complete without considering Palais Royal and its magnificent gardens.

A Hollywood favorite, this former palace would be our top choice when you're after maximum photo variety in a short time. It's almost mind-boggling that one primary location could combine playful black and white striped (Buren) columns with expansive courtyards, fountains, and tranquil gardens. Combine Palais Royal with a quintessential Parisian cafe and the Louvre.

Notre Dame. Sure, Notre Dame is officially closed until 2024. That does not mean it's no longer one of the most photo-worthy locations in Paris.

Despite the construction surrounding the iconic Cathedral, the greater Notre Dame area is filled with fantastic photo spots, including the oldest Parisian cafe, Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole, the iconic bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, numerous stunning bridges, cobblestone streets, and more.

Expressly because of the perception that the Cathedral is closed, you will not encounter large crowds—tourists, photographers, or otherwise.

Here are a few incredible private Paris photo shoot locations that tend to work particularly well for intimate private events, such as surprise proposals and elopements (in no particular order):

Secret Table at the Peninsula Paris is easily accessible without giving away the surprise. It’s reassuring that things always run smoothly at this five-star hotel with time-tested, proven processes and palace-level service. Expect maximum privacy and unpretentious luxury.

The Shangri-La Paris is an exceptional alternative to the Peninsula. You’ll need to rent an Eiffel Tower suite with an exclusive deck.

Chateau de Villette: located approximately 40km northeast of Paris, this ultra-exclusive historical landmark is unquestionably among the grandest French chateaux. You decide whether to use its lavish interiors or the splendidly manicured gardens (designed by André Le Nôtre, who also created the famous gardens of Château de Versailles). While Chateau de Villette is, by design, unaffordable for most, the sky is the limit when you have a healthy photography budget. Fly in on a helicopter or book a vintage Rolls-Royce with an elegant chauffeur.

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is among the foremost French castles, located approximately 65 km from Paris. Unless you fly in by helicopter, you'll ask an event planner to hire a luxury limo with a chauffeur. When you do a photoshoot at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte on a Saturday (7:00 PM - 12:00 AM) between May and October, you'll be treated to spectacular 2,000 flickering candles and fireworks.

That's a loaded question and entirely subjective. For one, it depends on the type of shoot.

For instance, an artist may be a fantastic photojournalist but have little experience posing people or showing families a fun time. Likewise, a film photographer may provide dreamy sunrise portraits but struggle in low-light conditions, such as Paris nighttime photos or indoor wedding receptions. And a boudoir photographer will shine when it comes to making her subject feel at ease and sexy but may not know how to capture the moment for a surprise proposal confidently.

All to say, it depends. Most top-rated local photographers in Paris would likely think they are the best. We at Kiss Me in Paris believe we deliver unparalleled value, loads of fun, and a fun-filled experience.

The best time of the day for a Paris photo session is when you feel most energized and happy.

Elements such as photo locations, jet lag, beauty services, dinner reservations, getting your kids ready, and other factors can make a difference.

That said, our favorite times of the day are sunrise, evening (including the so-called Blue Hour), and nighttime.

Sunrise Paris Photoshoot—The "Golden Hour."

Sunrise is the time when the sun slowly appears over the horizon in the morning. Specific sunrise times depend on the time of the year and can start as early as 5.45 AM in June and as late as 8.45 AM around New Year.

Advantages of doing your photoshoot in Paris at sunrise:

• It's the only time of the day to get dazzling pictures at popular Parisian photo spots when you wish to avoid distracting crowds and overzealous vendors;
• Expect some of the softest and most flattering lighting conditions;
• A sunrise photo session will presumably wrap up early. You'll have almost the entire day left for sightseeing, shopping, and even visiting remote attractions like Versailles, Disneyland, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Loire Valley.
• Great opportunity for silhouettes, which you can even get during civil twilight—the period immediately preceding official sunrise;

Reasons not to do a Paris photoshoot at sunrise:

• Waking up early often means less sleep and hurried (or no) breakfast, which may result in fatigue and forgetfulness;
• Sunrise tends to be less romantic than the evening.
• Your professional makeup artist will probably charge a premium to come to your hotel early.

Evening (civil twilight) Paris Photoshoot—the "Blue Hour."

The period when the day ends and the evening begins. Specific sunset times depend on the time of the year and can start as early as 4.50 PM around New Year and as late as 10:00 PM in June.

Advantages of doing your Paris photoshoot in the evening:

• The most magical time of the day to have your pictures taken;
• Soft, flattering light ensures no squinting in photos, no blown-out details in your outfits, and no distracting shadows;
• Priceless opportunity to get daylight, the Blue Hour, and even nighttime images within a single hour;
• A later starting time means you have the chance to hire professional beauty services.

Reasons not to do a Paris photo shoot in the evening:

• Some popular photo locations will not be an option due to crowds;
• You'll need to invest in an associate to help with lighting and crowd management;
• You are less likely to receive a preview of a few same-day edited photos.

Nighttime Paris Photo session.

The time of the day when it's dark and the City of Lights feels most alive and fun.

Advantages of doing your Paris photo session at nighttime:

• Expect more privacy than earlier in the evening;
• You have the time for professional beauty services before the photo session;
• The best chance to get legendary Champagne pop shots.

Reasons not to do a Paris photo shoot when it's dark:

• Expect fewer photos since it takes time to control lighting; set-ups can also take a little longer;
• You'll need to invest in an associate to help with lighting and crowd management;
• Artificial light sources, such as flash or continuous light, can make you cast shadows, result in skin reflections, and occasionally squint your eyes.
• Nighttime shoots can interfere with dinner plans.