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

Knowing how to get around Paris efficiently during a photoshoot with multiple locations is essential. Time is indeed money.

Presumably, you book a Paris photo session to get amazing pictures while creating fun memories for life.

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

Commuting—on foot or by car—can result in delays and even fatigue. Your goal should be to minimize commuting and maximize time spent on having your pictures taken.

That said, expect plenty of walking within a primary location, such as Trocadero, the Louvre, Montmartre, or Notre Dame.

You'll need a vehicle when you change primary photo spots, such as from Trocadero to the Louvre. Here's where things become interesting since 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. Alas, UBER (in Paris) is no longer good, and drivers will 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 an excellent 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 a hefty Euro 120 per hour for convenience, comfort, safety, and above all, better net photography coverage. Net photography coverage is the amount of time during a photo session when you're taking pictures. It's the metric to obsess about when you're after fun and lots of amazing images. 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. Hey, a van is the best option when you have bulky props, such as oversized balloons, or require a discrete environment for outfit changes.

• Pack all props and outfits the night before the shoot;
• Check the weather here when you wake up;
• Download WhatsApp and charge your cell phone—you’ll want a phone to communicate with your photographer, take a selfie, possibly revisit your 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 in time (the last thing you want is to arrive at your photoshoot late or stressed);
• Optionally, pack a pair of comfy shoes to get from one location to the next. Louboutins are not walking shoes!
• On cool winter days, dress in layers and consider hand or boot warmers;
• Optionally, 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, right? Please do not underestimate the Parisian traffic. Relatedly, expect UBER drivers to cancel on short notice;
• Text your photographer (and any other core vendors) when you leave your hotel, so they know you're on time;
• Trust in your photographer, give 100%, have a laugh, and enjoy your adventure in Paris.

The best time of day for photo sessions around Paris depends on your choice of photo spots, biorhythm, dinner plans, whether your kids play nice, ...

Our favorite times of the day are sunrise and evening, including the 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:

• the only time to get spectacular photos at busy photo locations (notably at Trocadero) when you want to avoid crowds;
• expect some of the softest lighting conditions;
• Your sunrise photoshoot will typically wrap up early. You'll have almost the entire day left for sightseeing, shopping, and even day trips to Versailles, 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 hurried breakfast, which can beget fatigue;
• 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'll have the opportunity to do professional beauty services.

Reasons not to do your Paris photoshoot in the evening:

• some Parisian 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 photo session at nighttime:

• expect more privacy than earlier in the day;
• you have enough time to hire a professional makeup artist;
• 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.

The location decision is so consequential that we dedicated an entire chapter to helping you identify the perfect Paris photo shoot spots.

The City of Love is blessed with insanely romantic, 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):

Trocadero (Eiffel Tower view; public): the most iconic and instantly recognizable place in Paris for photos. We only recommend Trocadero around sunrise unless you enjoy waiting in line, dealing with vendors, and other curious onlookers. That said, the fountains near the bottom of Trocadero work well during the day and evening.

Montmartre (non-Eiffel Tower view; public): 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-pretty in the evening. It is the best place for fun caricatures, pretty cafe photoshoots, and when you want a primary location that says Paris without the Eiffel Tower.

Bir-Hakeim Bridge (Eiffel Tower view; public): 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 not particularly romantic or 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 (subtle Eiffel Tower view; public): among the most elegant and beautiful 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 and the Seine River; alternatively, make the Louvre Museum or Montmartre your next stop.

Louvre Pyramid (non-Eiffel Tower view; public): 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 and something different from the Eiffel Tower.

Tuileries Garden Terrasse du Bord de l'Eau (non-Eiffel Tower view; public): 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 pretty 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 (non-Eiffel Tower view; public). 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 fantastic spot for dreamy picnics, intimate elopements, couple photography, and marriage proposals. However, verify the park's opening hours and arrive before the tourists.

Pont des Arts (non-Eiffel Tower view; public). 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 definitely not be disappointed. Pont des Arts offers expansive views of Paris and the best time to propose is sunrise and early morning.

Moulin Rouge (non-Eiffel Tower; public). 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.

We suggest starting your evening shoot at the top of Montmartre (near the Basilica of the Sacred Heart) with a dreamy Café Paris photoshoot at Place du Tertre. Then continue to La Maison Rose for infinitely Pin-able pictures before wrapping things up in-style at Moulin Rouge.

Palais Royal (non-Eiffel Tower; public).

No serious discussion of the best photo locations in Paris is complete without considering Palais Royal.

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 combines playful black & white striped columns with expansive courtyards, fountains, and elegant gardens.

Combine Palais Royal with a quintessential Parisian cafe and the Louvre.

Seine River (non-Eiffel Tower; public).

Notre Dame (non-Eiffel Tower; public).

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 fantastic 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 more.

In fact, 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 photoshoot locations (in no particular order):

The Peninsula Paris (Eiffel Tower view; private): unlike some other Parisian hotels with Eiffel Tower views, The Secret Table offers a unique rooftop terrace that's intimate, beautiful, and easily accessible. It's reassuring that things always run smoothly at the Peninsula Hotel with time-tested, proven processes and palace-level service. Expect maximum privacy and unpretentious luxury. The most romantic time to do your photo shoot is around sunset.

The Shangri-La Paris (Eiffel Tower view; private): the Shangri-La is an exceptional alternative to the Peninsula and is considered by many to be the best place for an Eiffel Tower photoshoot. You'll need to rent a suite with an exclusive deck.

Chateau de Villette (non-Eiffel Tower view; private). 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 (non-Eiffel Tower view; private). Vaux le Vicomte is among the foremost French castles, located approximately 65 km from Paris. Unless you fly in by helicopter, you'll generally 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.

There are no hard rules regarding attire choices for your Paris photoshoot. It depends on your style, the occasion and type of photo session, and your chosen Parisian locations.

You can go with casual, formal, and, time permitting, a combination of both.

Remember that you'll be photographed in the fashion capital of the known universe … so style matters (hey ladies … this is the perfect excuse to get that pair of red bottoms!).

That said, here are a few tried and tested recommendations:

• dress for how you'd like to be seen in your photographs;
• wear outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident and lift your mood;
• Avoid fine stripes, which can cause distracting moiré patterns in your images. Instead, when you want to make a statement, embrace bold prints and colors (red, purple, and yellow pop magnificently);
• Bring a pair of flats for the summer and boots in the winter to avoid foot fatigue while you're not having pictures taken.

  

Paris is a terrific city to have professional photos taken—be it for couples, families or solo travelers.

The City of Love is not necessarily for everyone. Still, we 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 cafes and renowned art & architecture.
• Paris offers uncountable stunning photo shoot locations ranging from iconic Eiffel Tower spots to private yachts, palace hotel terraces, and straight-out-of-a-movie French castles.
• It's pretty straightforward to identify English-speaking vendors to help you plan the perfect Paris photo session across time zones.
• Paris is always a good idea, right? You'll certainly not run out of fun things to do [Here are the best restaurants in Paris with an Eiffel Tower view].
• Suppose you do desire a change of scenery. Then France offers more amazing attractions than you probably have vacation days.
• We're big fans of the French Riviera, the Lavender Fields of Provence, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and Bordeaux.