This guide is packed with my best tips, tricks and insider secrets for booking and scheduling your portrait session. Together, we will plan your perfect Paris photo shoot, making sure to customize each moment to reflect your precious relationship with this magical city! We will create lifelong memories as I capture treasured moments from the journey you've been dreaming of. I have a flair for timeless and romantic aesthetics, creating stunning pictures with the perfect backdrop - Paris!
Everything you want to know
From booking to delivery of your portrait collection, my goal is to provide an experience that leaves you with a happy heart and gorgeous photographs. I feel strongly about connecting with my clients because connecting on a personal level, allows me to truly tell your story in an authentic way. When you are comfortable in front of the camera, the emotional walls come down, allowing me to capture the real you.
& let's be friends! Check out my About Me page to learn more about how I came to Paris, what made me fall in love with this magical city, and more about how I'm the perfect Parisian photographer for you!
And what if you have more questions? Reach out and let me know!! I can't wait to connect with you and for us to get to know each other some more!
process
Every vacation and itinerary is different, so select the session that works best for you and then contact me to work out the best date and time for your session.
Once I have your signed contract and 25% retainer, your session date/time will be secured - officially and exclusively yours! Please note, the remaining balance is due two weeks before the session date - you will see all of the specifics in my contract.
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booking
For most of my sessions, outdoor, open-air environments are always my first choice. I love shooting in wide-open spaces because the light is divine, especially at sunrise. There are great options all around the city, so even if you've never seen me photograph in a specific spot before, I'm always up for exploring a new spot together! I have some great go-to locations that we can always hit, too. Just let me know which photos you love, and what type of location you’d like to feature, and we will go from there!
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If picking out outfits for photos takes you back to your high-school days when you literally tried on everything in your closet and piled it on your bed but still felt like you had nothing to wear, you're in luck!
I put together an extensive outfit suggestion guide with tips for everyone!
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I'll be so excited to finally get to meet you in person, even if I feel like I already know you with all the planning we've done!
Come ready to laugh and dance, snuggle and kiss! Beware, I've been known to do a booty dance for a real laugh! Your pictures will be incredible, but even better, we're going to create memories you will cherish forever!!
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You're on vacation, and you want to show everyone how fabulous it is! I totally understand! My famously fast turnaround ensures you will receive your beautiful online gallery in no more than two weeks.
You can download your high-resolution pictures for wall prints! Or you can even select your favorites to upload directly to Facebook and even download mobile-friendly sizes that are perfect for sharing!
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...because once you've been to Paris, it stays with you. And you can't fit everything in one visit. So I know you're coming back!
I'm often meeting up with past clients, grabbing a quick coffee (with maybe a pain au chocolat) or catching up over a fabulous glass of French red, because while in Paris...
I love staying in touch, watching your family grow, and seeing all of your other amazing adventures!
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booking
Includes:
• Customized route based on what you love most about Paris
• My exclusive Paris Session Guide, packed with tips for preparing for your session
• Digitally enhanced, high-res images in an online gallery
Additional Outfit Change (+15min.) - 75€
Additional Location on 120-minute+ Sessions (+30min.) - 125€
60-Minute Session
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425€
30 high-resolution images
1 hour of coverage
Explore one area of Paris
90-Minute Session
575€
45 high-resolution images
1.5 hours of coverage
Multiple areas, as time permits
120-Minute Session
700€
60 high-resolution images
2 hours of coverage
Multiple areas, as time permits
Parisian Proposal Session
100€ Add-on
Includes:
Proposal planning questionnaire
30+ minute video chat
Personalized play-by-play proposal plan
*can be added to any session above*
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While shopping for a brand new outfit is something fun and exciting, I always emphasize how important it is for your outfits to be comfortable. If you do decide to get everything brand new (and really, who can blame you!?), make sure you wear it at least once before your shoot to make sure it fits and feels great. This is especially important for things like shoes, which can cause all kinds of problems if they aren’t broken in properly!
Please do keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.” In fact, I recommend that you avoid thinking about “matching,” and instead think about what “fits” together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through.
your portrait session
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Make sure that the children can move freely in their outfits and that they aren’t going to be pulling and scratching at their new clothes. You want them happy and comfortable, not grouchy and miserable during the shoot! Kids who help dress themselves will not only be much happier campers when shooting time comes, but you’ll let their own beautiful personalities shine through in the images. Beware of new clothes bought “to grow into”; shirts hanging from shoulders and cuffs turned back can look untidy, better to wear an old favorite.
If you have multiple children, don’t feel like you need to put them all in the same type of outfit. For example, if one of your daughters wears a dress and flats, the other can wear a skirt and boots, if that’s more her style. If one of your sons wears a bowtie, the other can wear suspenders. Mixing up the wardrobe pieces will bring even more visual interest to the photos.
for the littles
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When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting lighter, neutral tones and more muted shades. Bright, bold or neon colors are distracting and take the focus away from where it should be: YOU! You can never go wrong with light neutral colors like cream, taupe, camel or light gray. The camera loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with a lovely, natural green. This softer, more pastel-leaning color palette looks beautiful against the sophisticated beauty of Paris!
Want more? My Paris Session Guide walks you through how to select every aspect of your session-day attire, and I absolutely love helping you pick out the most flattering outfit for your session. Start by creating a Pinterest board of outfit ideas and we'll go from there!
find inspiration
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I'll give you a high-five if you can give me a little Amelie reference! Montmartre has everything I ever imagined Paris to be with its winding cobblestoned streets, artists painting at Place du Tertre and the wisteria growing as we head down Rue de l'Abreuvoir on our way to the most epic view of the Sacre Coeur. This village within Paris is absolutely exceptional as we start in front of the basilica on a hill and watch the golden rays bathe the city.
location inspiration
My gentlemen love this stunning two-level bridge, also known as the Inception Bridge! I love this alternative view of the Eiffel Tower as we have everything all in one little area - the Eiffel Tower, of course, but also amazing Parisian architecture, the metro passing above us, the Seine River flowing below, and a great way to add something modern to your shoot with the incredible bridge itself! Plus, we can shoot there later in the day! So this location is ideal if you MUST sleep in!
location inspiration
This fun spot is like my little Parisian secret - no joke, I once took a friend who was born and raised in Paris, and he'd never once seen it! The Palais Royal has everything you love about Paris in one palace garden: modernity vs. history, amazing fountains, perfectly trimmed trees, and gorgeous blooms! The Palais Royal opens at 7:30 am and with its close proximity, is a perfect second location if we are starting at the Louvre!
location inspiration
The Louvre brings history alive! Every time I stroll through the corridors or wander across the courtyard, I start to imagine who might have walked these halls before me. The architecture is divine, and has such an enchanting old Parisian feel. Plus, on Tuesdays, the museum is closed, so we will have far fewer tourists in the background. If we get there early enough, we might even have the place to ourselves!
location inspiration
The Marais has long been the home of the French aristocrats, and you can tell by some of the stunning historical buildings that are still standing today. As we wander through these historical streets, we will see noble-built urban mansions, the Royal Square, and today's Parisian chic and stylish with gorgeous boutiques and fun cafés. The Marais is the Instagrammer's dream and the perfect place to capture your solo trip!
location inspiration
This stunning location gives us a perfect, straight-on view of the Eiffel Tower. It is by far, my most requested shooting location! But be aware, it gets crowded earlier than any other route! So be prepared to wake up early as it is only possible to shoot there the first three hours after sunrise. You'll thank me in the end, though, because when you visit it again in the evening, you'll understand why it's so much more magical at sunrise!
location inspiration
How far in advance should I book?
The sooner the better! My sunrise sessions tend to book up pretty quickly - especially during high season, so the sooner you reach out, the more likely you are to get your desired date and time! Please note, to reserve your session, I'll need a contract and retainer. And if something comes up and you need to change your date, just let me know!
What if it Rains?
The weather is so fickle in Paris! Even if the forecast shows a 100% chance of rain, we can't tell until the morning of. I can definitely be flexible with you, but if your itinerary is packed, take a chance! We have what I call café weather. Often times, we can pop into a café, and by the time we are finished with our drinks, the shower has passed! Worst case scenario, we can always change the location!
How will we receive our photos?
Within five business days of your session, you'll receive a link to a digital gallery that will allow you to download your high-resolution images. The gallery is also set up to make ordering prints, canvases and other keepsakes as easy as turning on a Roomba to clean your floors. No worrying about tricky things like color correction, DPI and image format.
WE'RE AWKWARD AND MY KIDS DON'T SIT STILL.
You're going to feel awkward at first, but as the session goes on and I coach you through images, you'll find that being photographed can actually be fun!
And don't worry about your kids!! I'm well versed in capturing even the busiest of little ones.
Her warm and bubbly personality showed from her initial response to my booking request. She made my fiancée and I feel comfortable as she directed us for the best shots we could get. After the shoot, Rachael went out of her way to give us first-time Parisian tourists a crash course of the metro system. Our pictures turned out beautiful and we look forward to linking back up on our next visit!
- Indiara + Marcus
"Her warm and bubbly personality showed from her initial response to my booking request...Our pictures turned out beautiful and we look forward to linking back up on our next visit!"
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KIND
Rachael was an absolute pleasure to work with! Not only does she have a great eye, but she also knows how to give just enough direction to give your photos that dreamy yet candid Instagram feel! On top of that, she's super warm and friendly. We hit it off with her right off the bat, which allowed us to feel even more comfortable in front of the camera.
- Stacey + Pascal
"Not only does she have a great eye, but she also knows how to give just enough direction to give your photos that dreamy yet candid Instagram feel!"
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KIND
It's unbelievable how Rachel was able to capture such beautiful moments of the kids even though they were so cranky during the shoot. She's so so so amazing with the kids!! Love the photos so much!!
- Song Family
"Rachael was able to capture such beautiful moments of the kids...She's so so so amazing with the kids!! Love the photos so much!!"
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KIND
Rachael is one of the most amazing photographers I’ve ever met. She was totally friendly and made us feel so comfortable that we just lived in the moment and forgot anyone around us! The images we received were better than we imagined and it really looks like we were the only ones there.
- Holly + Ricky
"She was totally friendly and made us feel so comfortable that we just lived in the moment and forgot anyone around us!"
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KIND
Rachael was absolutely amazing to work with. She was fantastic with our 21 month old (a child that never smiles) and made her smile in her photos. She has a bubbly personality and was committed to getting every shot perfect. We are absolutely in love with them and so happy we have them for the rest of our lives. Thank you Rachael for capturing our memories! We look forward to returning to Paris and getting another shoot done!
- da Silva Family
"She was fantastic with our 21 month old (a child that never smiles) and made her smile in her photos.She has a bubbly personality and was committed to getting every shot perfect."
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KIND
Rachael was an absolute joy to work with. She was very enthusiastic and made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. Taking pictures surrounded by crowds in one of the most populated attractions in the world can sound stressful, but Rachael navigated the scenery like a true pro.
- Michelle + Cody
"Taking pictures surrounded by crowds in one of the most populated attractions in the world can sound stressful, but Rachael navigated the scenery like a true pro."
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KIND
Rachael did such an amazing job with our photo shoot in Paris and our pictures. She made the whole process not only easy but a lot of fun too! She was super friendly and professional and put us at ease from the moment we met her. She gave us exactly what we were hoping for out of the experience and more! We would recommend her to anyone!
- Christine + Ryan
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KIND
"...exactly what we were hoping for and more!"
Rachael was a blast to work with. She brings enthusiasm, love, and most importantly, care for her shoots. Immediately meeting her, I knew she would be as ecstatic as myself for our shoot. I love that she is heavily experienced not only behind the lens but also with her ideas. She is very welcoming and open to ideas, which made our shoot much more collaborative. Rachael is amazing and I could not be more happier with the results.
- Ajay + Ami
"I love that she is heavily experienced not only behind the lens but also with her ideas. She is very welcoming and open to ideas, which made our shoot much more collaborative."
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KIND
I'm so honored that you're considering working with me to capture your portrait session in Paris. To officially reserve your date, you can book with me directly via my online booking system. I can't wait to meet you in Paris!
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Timeless and romantic images for the modern francophile