As someone with a love of photography, I've always dreamed of capturing the streets of Paris in all its glory. In the first week of June, this long-held dream of mine manifested, and I traveled to Paris for an editorial wedding shoot.
In this blog, I take you behind the scenes as I prepped myself for one of the best event shoots I've ever had the privilege to participate in. I'll also be painting a vivid picture of this enchanting city of love while I'm at it.
Excited? Let's dive right in!
Paris Shoot Location #1: The Louvre
You can't miss out on the Louvre if you are in Paris. Its rich history and architectural grandeur are something to behold, so we chose the Louvre as the first venue for the shoot.
When we arrived at the Louvre, the first thing that stood out was how the glass glimmered under the sunlight. It was ethereal. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I prepped for my equipment. What can I say? I'm a sucker for artsy historical buildings!
At first, I shot some close-up pictures of the couple so the Louvre could peek from the background. After I was satisfied with the results, I took some solo portraits of the bride. The white of the gown against the shimmer of the glass looked surreal — just like a dream.
Paris Shoot Location #2: Tuileries Gardens
Nestled in the heart of Paris next to the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, with its beauty and history, were our next natural choice. Lush greenery and geometrical layouts make it a breathtaking shoot location.
The perfectly aligned rows of trees and manicured hedges in the gardens offered an ideal backdrop for the shoot. The pictures turned out to be nothing short of perfection. Kudos to the team for arranging this shoot!
Paris Shoot Location #3: The Eiffel Tower (From The Trocadero Stairway)
The Eiffel Tower was the third of the shoot locations in our itinerary. For a hassle-free shoot, we were up at dawn. We wanted some good shots before the streets of the Eiffel Tower were teeming with people.
Consequently, we chose the Trocadero stairway to capture the viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower. Not only is the stairway symmetrically aligned (and a photographic marvel!), but it's also less crowded during the early golden hours of sunshine.
I couldn't help but be in awe of how the sun glowed softly over the Eiffel Tower. The interplay of the light and shadow was exhilarating to watch. Almost instinctively, I knew this would be a beautiful shoot.
The bride wore a flowy gown, whereas the groom wore a tailored black tux. I played with perspectives and angles to capture the couple's silhouettes against the iron lattice. The shoot was very magical — it made me feel like a little girl lost in a land of love.
Paris Shoot Location #4: Palais-Royal
Lastly, we headed to the stunning architectural delight of Paris - the Palais-Royal. I was immediately drawn to the ornate details and the symmetrical designs (I know, the French have a thing for perfection!)
The black and white striped columns (Les Colonnes de Buren) wonderfully juxtaposed against the black and white attire of the bride and groom. As the sun peeked through the building, the photoshoot felt like a royal fantasy at play.
Final Thoughts
Each picture I took was part of a grander artistic composition. It fills my heart with so much joy. I couldn't be more grateful for this beautiful opportunity to realize my dream and experience this city from a photographer's perspective.
As a destination wedding photographer, I would love to capture your special day anywhere in the world! Inquire here.