Paris, with its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, picturesque cobblestone streets, and cozy cafes, is one of the most favorite destinations for tourists from all over the world. This city of love effortlessly blends classic charm with modern chic, so it is no wonder that Paris has long held a special place in the hearts of couples and artists.
However, when you go to one of the most popular tourist destinations, taking nice photos without people in the background becomes a real struggle. In this guide, we will show you 9 useful tips and tricks on how to prepare for your Paris photo shoot.
But if you want to take the stress of finding perfect angles, choosing and discovering fascinating locations, we recommend you hire a professional photographer like Julia Litvin. With an experienced photographer, you won’t need to worry about what to wear and how to pose and will get the best pictures from Paris to enjoy for years to come.
Paris Photo Shoot Tips & Tricks
Planning a photo shoot in the most romantic city is exciting and scary at the same time. Where do you go? What clothes do you wear? How to avoid all the crowds? How to edit the pictures later? There are a lot of questions to be answered!
Don’t worry, in this guide, you will learn all the necessary tips and tricks to turn your Parisian photoshoot into the most magical and unforgettable experience!
Get Some Inspiration
Finding inspiration before your photo shoot is crucial. We recommend you put together a board of image ideas that resonate with you. Pinterest and Instagram are the best platforms to get inspired! Look for photography-related hashtags and check out the profiles of Parisian photographers to define what style of photoshoot you want. It is better to create separate photo collections for each photoshoot so that it is easy for you to revisit them.
You can find a wide range of photography styles on Instagram and Pinterest, which can help you define which style speaks to you better – do you want street or fashion photography? Do you want day or night photography? Do you want to take pictures in front of the main landmarks or maybe you want to find something more unique than Eiffel Tower?
Scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest can give you a lot of inspiration as to the style, outfit, and poses. You should also pay attention to how photographers frame their shots, play with lighting, and edit.
Pre-Plan Locations
Of course, you can think that you will just arrive in Paris and find the best locations with no tourists around right away, and awesome things will happen. Unfortunately, that is far from reality! If you only have a few days in Paris, you need to be prepared! Pull up a map and see which sites you would most like to capture.
Upon arrival, spend some time looking for off-the-beaten-path locations that offer unique views and less crowded backdrops. While you can’t entirely skip Parisian iconic landmarks, we recommend you explore some less touristy areas to take more original and captivating photos. If you visit the photoshoot locations in advance, you can identify potential camera angles and see the potential challenges.
Check Weather Forecast
Checking the weather forecast is crucial if you want to be well-prepared for your photoshoot in Paris. Will it be cloudy or sunny? Or maybe it will be rainy and windy? Knowing the weather will allow you to dress appropriately and be comfortable on your photoshoot. If weather conditions aren’t very favorable for a photoshoot, you can postpone it for a few days to get the best photos.
Wake Up Early
If you want to take pictures next to the most iconic Parisian landmarks like Arc de Triomphe or the Louvre, waking up early and being at the location at sunrise is a must, especially in season! Make sure you prepare your clothes and decide on the hair and makeup and go to bed early to get a good rest before the photoshoot. Plan your logistics beforehand as well – think about how you will get to the location to minimize travel time.
Avoid People In The Background By Standing Up On Something High Or Turning The Camera Up
Sometimes it is just impossible to take pictures in Paris without people in the background, especially if you take pictures in the afternoon or evening. Standing up on something high like a ledge or bench is a perfect trick to take a perfect picture in the most touristy places without people in the background. If you can’t find a place to stand on, you can take a nice photo by having a photographer kneel down and put the camera up.
Dress to Impress
Paris is the world’s fashion capital for a reason, so your style will matter! Of course, your outfits will differ depending on the purpose and location of the photo shoot, but we recommend bringing different style outfits to create diverse photos.
The clothes you wear should be elegant and attract attention, but they should also make you feel as comfortable as possible and flattering to your body type. If you are taking family photos, consider getting matching outfits.
Are you planning a special photoshoot in Paris? If so, you’ll want to make sure you look your best. Litvin Photo offers a wide variety of evening dresses for rent, perfect for any occasion.
Our dresses are available for rent in a variety of styles, from classic to modern. We have something to suit every taste and budget. Whether you’re looking for a simple yet elegant gown for a romantic dinner or a more elaborate dress for a formal event, we have the perfect option for you.
Lighting Is Key
Lighting is one of the most critical elements in photography that can make or break the overall look of a photo. You can find the best light early in the morning when the sun is rising or during the golden hour (the last hour before sunset). We recommend skipping the middle of the day when the sun is too bright, or you’ll end up squinting.
Learn Editing Basics
If you aren’t hiring a professional photographer, you will need to learn the editing basics to enhance and refine the original image. You will need to learn how to crop and straighten the photos, how to adjust exposure and correct the color, as well as apply appropriate sharpening and reduce blur.
You might also need to remove distractions and unwanted objects from a photo by spot healing. If you want to apply a specific mood or style to your photos, using presets and filters is a great idea.
Enjoy the Process
Photoshoots in big cities like Paris can be overwhelming, but it is important to really enjoy the process and have fun capturing genuine emotions. You need to try to relax and not pay attention to other people around you because, in the end, photoshoots aren’t just about final images but also about the journey of creating these images, so you want this journey to be fun and stress-free. If you plan everything in advance and have a back up plan, your photoshoot in Paris will be just unforgettable.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to prepare for your Paris photo shoot, you should have no problems capturing the best moments with a camera. If you plan everything in advance and wake up early to avoid crowds, you will be able to create stunning photographs in the city of love and embrace its elegance and charm. Happy shooting!
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