Locations, light, session length and booking, in the order to decide them
For a first trip to Paris, plan your photos in this order: choose the time of day, pick one or two locations, then book a session two to four weeks before you arrive. Light and crowds shape the result more than the landmark does.
This guide is for first-time visitors, whether you are travelling as a couple, a family, or solo. It covers what to photograph, when to shoot, how to fit a session into your itinerary, which session length to choose, and what to prepare. I am Finzi. This is the checklist I go through with every client before their session. Read what fits your plan and skip the rest.
A first-time visitor should photograph the Eiffel Tower area first, then add one location with a different mood. The Tower area gives you the view everyone wants. The second location gives the gallery variety, so every photo does not look like the same postcard.
Around the Tower, I use three spots most often. Trocadéro is the famous frame. Pont de Bir-Hakeim is moodier, with steel structure and leading lines. Avenue de Camoëns is quiet and intimate, and it is also where I am based. For the second location, match the setting to what you want. Luxembourg Gardens offers open green space and suits families and multi-generational groups. The Marais has character. Montmartre has steep stairs and narrow streets. The Louvre gives a landmark backdrop without the Tower. The Tuileries suit a classic Paris look.
I shoot at over 30 locations across Paris. You do not need to pick from a list. Tell me what you want the photos to feel like and I choose the spot and the angle.
TipPick one location with the Tower and one without. The pair gives you two different galleries in one session.
| Package | Price | Duration | Photos | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | €300 | 1 hour | 30 photos | 1 location |
| Signature | €500 | 2 hours | 50 photos | 2 locations |
| Prestige | €800 | 3 hours | 60 photos | 3 locations |
Sunrise and the hour before sunset give the softest, most flattering light in Paris. Sunrise has empty streets and cool air, which is why couples and proposals prefer it. The hour before sunset has warm, directional light that suits every skin tone and every session type. Midday light is harder. I use shade and backlighting to shape it, and it works best for families with higher energy, though crowds are at their peak.
Night is a separate option. The Tower's operator, the Eiffel Tower official website, says the Tower adorns itself in gold and "sparkles the first five minutes of every hour". The same page names the Trocadéro esplanade and the Champ de Mars as the best places to watch the lights come on. My Night Session at €450 takes place after sunset for exactly this effect.
Season changes the schedule. November gives Paris about nine hours of daylight, so golden hour arrives early in the afternoon. Summer evenings run much later. Tell me your dates and I work out the light for that week. "Sunrise gives you the quiet, golden hour gives you the warmth, and I choose between them based on who is in front of the camera," Finzi says.
TipWeekday mornings are quieter than weekends around the Tower.
Put the session early in your trip and the rest of the schedule around it. The light fixes the session time, so the museum visit and the restaurant booking should move, not the session. Rescheduling is free and available anytime, but an early session leaves you room to use it if the weather turns.
A session is a guided walk, not a stop. You cover 3-5 km on foot, depending on your package. Plan a lighter afternoon after a sunrise session, and a late dinner after a Night Session. A sunrise start also means you finish with the best light of the day captured and the rest of the day free.
If you are travelling with children, grandparents, or a surprise planned for your partner, tell me when you book. Pacing, location choice, and hidden coverage all depend on it.
TipBook your photos first, then fit dinners and tickets around the session time.
Signature, at €500 for 2 hours, suits most first visits because it covers two locations and 50 edited photos. That is enough time for one Tower view and one contrasting setting without rushing. It is the most popular package for that reason.
Essential is €300 for 1 hour, 30 photos, and 1 location. It works if you want one place done well, such as sunrise at Trocadéro. Prestige is €800 for 3 hours, 60 photos, and 3 locations. It suits families who need slower pacing or couples who want three different settings, such as the Tower, the Seine, and Montmartre.
If you are planning a surprise, the Proposal session is €300 for 1 hour with a hidden camera. I arrive first and stay out of sight. Every package includes full posing guidance, high-resolution files, a print licence, and delivery within 24 hours.
TipNot sure which one? Tell me your dates and the people in the photos, and I recommend one.
Book at least 2-4 weeks ahead, especially during peak season from April to October. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible, so if you are already in Paris, contact me directly and I check availability.
A deposit of €30 locks your date. It is non-refundable. Rescheduling is free anytime, so a change of flight or a day of bad weather does not cost you the session. Your gallery arrives within 24 hours of the session, which means you can see the photos while you are still in the city.
The message I need is short: your dates, your preferred locations, and the session you have in mind. I reply personally and take it from there.
Prepare comfortable shoes, layers, and one classic outfit. Elegance over trends works best in Paris. Avoid large logos, busy patterns, and overly casual fabrics. Navy, cream, black, earth tones, and soft gold photograph well against the stone and metal of the city.
Layers matter because the weather shifts through the day, and the walking is real exercise at 3-5 km. Light rain is not a reason to cancel. It can create dramatic skies and an intimate mood, and I work in most weather. If conditions are poor, we move the session for free.
You do not need to know the city or how to pose. I give clear direction on movement and positioning, and I leave space for natural moments to happen. Communication is in English throughout, from the first message to the final gallery.
TipBring a light extra layer. Early sessions are cool even in summer.
The most common mistake is shooting from the main plaza at Trocadéro. Everyone stands there. The lower terrace and the side staircases give you the same Tower with a cleaner background and far fewer people. "I start at the edges, not the centre, because the crowd gathers where the signs point," Finzi says.
The second mistake is stacking too many locations into a short window. Each location needs time for light, angle, and a few unhurried frames. This is why packages are built around one, two, or three locations. A relaxed two-location session produces better photos than five rushed stops.
The third mistake is waiting. Golden hour slots in April, May, September, and October go first. If your dates are fixed, secure the session before you finalise the rest of the itinerary.
Quick answers to the questions visitors ask before they book.
“It was very special. Finzi is very caring and enjoyable. It was a dream photoshoot experience. His artistic vision has collected very beautiful and special memories for us.”
Pick a session. Choose a date. I handle the rest.
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