Paris Photoshoot: The #1 Guide When You Don’t Live in France

It’s possible to hire Parisian photographers for as little as Euro 200 per hour; our award-winning artists start at only Euro 250 per hour. That said, photographers are not created equal, and rates vary substantially.

The best way to decide on the perfect photography package is to browse this guide from top to bottom. You’ll know where you stand and have an excellent idea of how many hours of photography coverage are ideal based on the following:

• the type (and occasion) of your photo session (solo traveler/blogger/influencer, boudoir, engagement photos, family photoshoot, marriage proposal, elopement, intimate wedding …);
• your goals and desired photo locations;
• number of wardrobe changes and
• photography budget.

The location decision is so consequential that we dedicated an entire chapter to help you identify the perfect Paris photoshoot locations.

The City of Light has insanely romantic, unique, and iconic 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 privacy);
• Eiffel Tower views vs. non-Eiffel Tower views

A private setting—such as a residential rooftop, hotel terrace, yacht, French castle, or even your hotel—is not always prettier than its public alternative. Yet, there are significant differences, and it’s important for you to understand.

Here’s a list of the most picturesque and iconic public Paris photoshoot locations to have your photos taken (in no particular order):

Trocadero (Eiffel Tower): the most iconic and instantly recognizable place in Paris for photos.

Montmartre: Suppose you’re after picturesque Parisian cafes and enchanting cobblestone streets. Then Montmartre, including Sacré-Cœur, La Maison Rose, and Place du Tertre, deserves real consideration. Montmartre works particularly well around sunrise and early morning but is also super-romantic in the evening.

Bir-Hakeim Bridge (Eiffel Tower): 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 (due to the traffic). While neither romantic nor private, the bridge offers good photo variety and is a fantastic rain alternative when you have your heart set on the Eiffel Tower.

Alexander III Bridge (subtle Eiffel Tower view): Among the most elegant bridges in Paris, Alexander III photographs well any time of the day and night. Expect a more subtle view of the Eiffel Tower. This bridge is the perfect hub if you want nearby Petit Palais (in the morning) and the Louvre Museum or Palais-Royal as your next stop.

Louvre Pyramid: The iconic museum is among the City of Lights’ most recognizable and famous landmarks. Sure, you’ll need to show up early to beat the crowds. Still, this stunning glass-and-metal structure is incredible when you’re after the WOW factor and the best spot to capture the magical Blue Hour.

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 a lovely public proposal spot when the Eiffel Tower feels too cliché (note: verify the opening hours). The Louvre museum, Palais-Royal, Pont des Arts, and lively cafes are merely minutes away on foot.

Luxembourg Gardens. A place of unpretending natural beauty, the Luxembourg Gardens will charm you with idyllic lawns, tree-lined alleys, and the fabulous Medici Fountain. It’s a fabulous spot for dreamy picnics, intimate elopements, couple photography, and even marriage proposals (verify the park’s opening hours).

Pont des Arts. This pedestrian bridge is superb when your lover desires postcard-worthy vistas along the Seine River. While attaching engraved padlocks to the bridge is no longer possible, you’ll definitely not be disappointed. Pont des Arts offers expansive views of Paris.

Moulin Rouge. No evening Paris photoshoot is complete without a fabulous Champagne pop (at Moulin Rouge).

This historic 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.

Palais-Royal. No serious discussion of the best place in Paris to take pictures is complete without mention of Palais Royal.

A Hollywood favorite, this former palace is near the top of our list when you’re after maximum photo variety.

It’s almost mind-boggling that one primary location combines playful black & white striped columns with expansive courtyards, fountains, and elegant gardens.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

Notre Dame Cathedral is officially closed until 2024. Still, it’s one of the most photo-worthy locations in Paris.

Despite the construction surrounding the iconic Cathedral, the greater Notre Dame area is filled with amazing photo spots, including the oldest Parisian cafe, Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, the super-fun bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, numerous postcard-worthy bridges, cobblestone streets, and the Seine River.

The City of Light is home to countless charming streets. Rue Crémieux, located in the 12th arrondissement, is often cited as one of the most postcard-worthy spots in Paris. The pedestrian-only cobblestone street is known far and wide for its colorful houses and feels like straight out of the movies.

Alternatively, Rue de l’Abreuvoir, located in the heart of Montmartre, offers quintessential Parisian charm. It is a must-see along with other popular 18th arrondissement attractions such as La Maison Rose, Place du Tertre, and Le Moulin de la Galette.

Knowing how to get around the City of Love during a photoshoot with multiple locations is priceless. Time is indeed money.

Presumably, you book professional portraits to get amazing pictures while creating unforgettable memories.

The easiest way to get around Paris for a photoshoot is by using a van with a professional English-speaking driver.

Commuting by foot can result in delays and fatigue. Your goal should be to minimize travel time and maximize the time spent on having your pictures taken.

Expect plenty of walking within primary locations, such as Trocadero, the Louvre, Montmartre, or Notre Dame.

You’ll need a vehicle when you change primary photo spots, such as from Trocadéro to the Louvre. Here’s where you have several options:

• UBER had been the gold standard for getting around Paris for many years. The company offered convenience, security, and outstanding service, which translated into value. Unfortunately, UBER (in Paris) is no longer good, and drivers will typically not even confirm rides for short distances or amounts less than around Euro 8-10. Where does that leave you? Try UBER’s competitor, Bolt, which offers affordable rides on demand, or flag down a taxi or a G7 taxi.
• Taxis present a good alternative to UBER since they accept short rides and use bus & taxi lanes during rush hour. The only significant drawback is that there are few taxis, and you need to find them instead of them finding you;
• Our preferred option, by far, for multi-location photoshoots is to hire a Mercedes van with an English-speaking driver. The van is a total game-changer! Expect to invest Euro 120 per hour for convenience, comfort, safety, and greater net photography coverage. Net photography coverage is the amount of time you take photos during a photoshoot. A van will optionally pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. You or your photographer’s assistant can share your live location via WhatsApp, so your chauffeur always knows where to collect you and go next. A van is the best option when you have bulky props, such as oversized balloons, or require a discrete environment for outfit changes.

The best time of day for photo sessions around Paris depends on your choice of locations, biorhythm, dinner plans, and whether your kids can shake themselves out of bed early (for family portraits), …

Our favorite times of the day are sunrise and evening, including the ridiculously romantic Blue Hour and nighttime.

The Golden Hour.

Sunrise is when the sun slowly appears over the horizon in the morning. Sunrise times depend on the season and start around 5.45 AM in June and 8.45 AM in late December.

Benefits of a sunrise photoshoot:

• Sunrise is the only time to get spectacular photos at busy photo spots (notably at Trocadero)—especially when you want to avoid crowds;
• Expect some of the softest lighting conditions;
• Your sunrise session will typically wrap up early. You’ll have almost the entire day left for sightseeing, shopping, and even day trips to Versailles and Disneyland, …
• Great opportunity for silhouettes, which you can get shortly before sunrise;

Reasons not to do your photo session at sunrise:

• Waking up early can result in less sleep and a hurried breakfast, which can affect your mood;
• Sunrise tends to be less romantic than the evening.
• Your professional beauty artist may charge a premium to come to your hotel early.

Evening photography—the ‘Blue Hour.’

The period when the day ends and the evening begins. Sunset times differ based on season 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 shoot in the evening:

• It’s the most romantic time of the day;
• soft light ensures no squinting, blown-out details, and undesirable shadows;
• opportunity to get daylight, the ‘Blue Hour,’ and nighttime photos within a single hour of photography coverage;
• A later starting time means you can do professional beauty services.

Reasons not to do your Paris photoshoot in the evening:

• Many popular locations are not possible due to crowds;
• You’ll require an associate to help with lighting and crowd/theft management;
• You’re less likely to receive a preview of same-day edited photos.

Nighttime Paris Photoshoot.

The time when the City of Lights feels most alive.

Advantages of doing your shoot at nighttime:

• Expect greater privacy than earlier in the day;
• You have enough time to hire a professional makeup artist;
• the best chance to get epic Champagne pop photographs.

Reasons not to do a professional photo shoot when it’s dark:

• Expect fewer photos because it takes time for your photographer’ associate to control the lighting;
• You’ll need to hire an associate for lighting and crowd/theft management;
• Artificial lighting sources, such as flash, can result in unflattering shadows, skin reflections, and squinting eyes;
• Nighttime sessions can delay dinner plans.

• Pack all props and outfits the night before your shoot;
• Check the weather here when you wake up;
• Download WhatsApp and charge your cell phone—you’ll need a phone to communicate with your Paris photographer, take a selfie, possibly revisit a Pinterest board, and flag down an UBER or Bolt;
• Leave all non-essential valuable items at the hotel so they’re not lost or stolen;
• If you hired a beauty artist, make sure she wraps up on time (the last thing you want is to arrive at your photoshoot late or stressed);
• Pack a pair of comfy shoes to get from one location to the next. Red bottoms are not walking shoes!
• On cold days, dress in layers and consider hand or boot warmers;
• Bring breath fresheners when you anticipate a lot of kissing;
• Leave your hotel early! There’s no harm in arriving at the meeting point before your photographer. Worst case, you grab a quick café. Please do not underestimate the Parisian traffic and expect UBER drivers to cancel on short notice;
• Text your photographer and any other core vendors (ideally with a photo) when you leave your hotel so they know you’re on time and will recognize you from a distance;
• Trust in your photographer, give 100%, laugh, and enjoy your travel shoot.

Yes—at least when you work with Kiss Me in Paris—and here is what to expect when you work with us:

The clock officially starts at the scheduled kickoff time of your shoot (even when you arrive a few minutes late).

It’s entirely up to you how to use your commissioned photography time.

Some people prefer to visit as many photo locations as possible. However, remember that Paris is busy, so you should expect to lose time in traffic or waiting for a UBER or taxi.

Perhaps you intend to make several outfit changes. In that case, please appreciate that unless you rent a private van with a driver, you’ll lose time passing by your hotel or changing in the restroom of a café.

The City of Love is not necessarily for everyone. Still, Paris is the ultimate playground for a memorable travelshoot, and here’s why:

• From its luxurious shopping streets to the carefree Bohemian spirit of the Left Bank, Paris inspires with lively cafés and renowned art & architecture.
• Paris offers countless stunning photoshoot locations, including the iconic Eiffel Tower, beautiful parks and gardens, quaint coffee shops, historical museums and palaces, and much more.
• It’s relatively easy to identify English-speaking vendors.
• Paris is always a good idea. You’ll certainly not run out of fun things to do. Here are the best restaurants in Paris with an Eiffel Tower view.