The Perfect Paris Photoshoot Guide When You Don’t Live in France

The best time of the day for a Paris photoshoot 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 want to avoid crowds and aggressive vendors;
• expect the some of the most flattering lighting conditions;
• A sunrise photo shoot will presumably wrap up early. You’ll have almost the entire day left for sightseeing, shopping, and even for remote day trips, such as Versailles, Disneyland, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Loire Valley.
• great opportunity for silhouettes, which you can even get immediately before 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—notably for marriage proposals.
• Your professional makeup artist may charge a premium to arrive at your hotel early.

Evening (civil twilight) photography in Paris—the ‘Blue Hour.’

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

Advantages of doing photography in Paris in the evening:

• it’s the most romantic time of the day to have a professional photo shoot;
• soft, flattering light ensures no squinting, no blown-out details, and no undesirable shadows;
• unique opportunity to get daylight, the ‘Blue Hour,’ and even nighttime Paris photography within a single hour;
• a later starting time means you’ll have the opportunity to enlist professional beauty services.

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

• some popular photo spots are simply not possible due to crowds;
• you’ll need to hire an associate for lighting and crowd control;
• You’re less likely to receive a preview of same-day edited photos.

Nighttime Paris Photoshoot.

The time when it’s dark and the Paris feels most alive.

Advantages of doing your Paris photoshoot at nighttime:

• expect more privacy than earlier in the evening;
• you have time to enlist professional beauty services;
• the best chance to get legendary Champagne pop shots.

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

• expect fewer photos because it takes time to control lighting; set-ups can also take a tad longer;
• you’ll need to book an associate to help with lighting and crowd control;
• artificial lighting sources, such as flash or continuous light, can result in unflattering shadows, skin reflections, and squinting eyes.
• nighttime shoots can delay dinner plans.

The best way to decide on the perfect travelshoot package is to browse this guide from top to bottom. You’ll have an excellent idea of how many hours are ideal for you based on:

• the type of photoshoot (solo traveler, couple, family, proposal, elopement, …);
• your desired photo locations;
• number of outfit changes;
• starting time(s); and
• photography budget.

Our minimum booking is for a 30-minute Eiffel Tower session, typically around Trocadéro mid-morning or throughout the day. We do not offer the 30-minute option at sunrise or in the evening.

Remember that more photography coverage often translates into added fun and better value. Most of our clients prefer substantial bookings, including our fantastic 2-3 hour sunrise and/or evening sessions. Also, ask us about our brilliant specialty shoots (e.g., Midnight in Paris or Emily in Paris).

Things to keep in mind:

• Sometimes more is indeed more … Unless you already have experience in front of the camera, you might need a few minutes to warm up. Similarly, it takes time to change outfits, wait for a yummy café, and commute around town. The last thing you want is to introduce unnecessary stress into your Paris photoshoot.
• As a rule of thumb, we recommend approximately 1 hour of photography/video coverage per primary location, such as Trocadéro, the Louvre, Montmartre, and the Luxembourg Gardens.
• Remote photo spots, such as La Défense, Château de Villette, Château Bouffémont, and Château Vaux-le-Vicomte require a little more time. 
• Suppose you’re after maximum fun, photo variety, looks, and props. In that case, we’d recommend 3 hours of photography coverage, which is sufficient for the Eiffel Tower + Louvre (including surrounding attractions such as the Tuileries Gardens, Palais Royal, and a Parisian café). Of course, you’re welcome to split the 3 hours and customize your itinerary any way you see fit.
• Consider our shorter sessions (30-minute or 1 hour) for families with toddlers (approximately 1-4 years). When your kids are relatively independent, book more substantial coverage and have your kids entertain themselves while you as a couple sneak in a few romantic pictures.

The best 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 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.

• 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.
• Paris boasts many postcard-worthy photoshoot locations ranging from iconic Eiffel Tower spots to ultra-chic private yachts, palace-level hotel rooftops, and straight-out-of-a-movie French chateaux.
• It’s surprisingly easy to identify talented English-speaking vendors to help you plan the perfect Paris photoshoot across time zones and from thousands of miles away.
• Paris is always a good idea, right? You’ll certainly not run out of fun things to do. Here are the  6 most romantic places in Paris to kiss. Also, look at the best restaurants in Paris with an Eiffel Tower view. 
• And suppose, for some reason, 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.
• And, when you have additional time to burn, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, London, and Rome merely a stone’s throw away.

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.

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

Paris 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 it around sunrise unless you enjoy waiting in line, dealing with vendors, and other curious onlookers.

Montmartre (non-Eiffel Tower view; public): 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 City views immediately below Sacré-Cœur or the postcard-worthy winding street with La Maison Rose as the reference point.

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. While neither particularly romantic nor 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 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 (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). Lights, music, stage, extravaganza … no nighttime Paris photoshoot 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 Paris photoshoot 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 (non-Eiffel Tower; public).

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

A Holywood 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.

Seine River (non-Eiffel Tower; public).

Notre Dame (non-Eiffel Tower; public).

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.

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 Peninsula 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.

• pack all props and outfits the night before the shoot;
• Check the weather here when you wake up;
• charge your cell phone—you’ll need it to communicate with your photographer, take a selfie, possibly revisit your Pinterest board, and flag down an UBER;
• leave all valuable items (that are non-essential for your shoot) at the hotel, so they’re not lost or stolen;
• if you hired a beauty artist, make sure she’s done in time (the last thing you want is to arrive at your photoshoot stressed out);
• 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 warmers;
• consider bringing breath fresheners;
• 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;
• WhatsApp your photographer (and any other vendors) when you leave your hotel, so she knows you are on time;
• Trust in your photographer, give 100%, have a laugh, and enjoy your time in Paris.