Timing, locations, strollers and session length that work for toddlers
Plan a Paris photoshoot with a toddler around one location, a short session and a playground nearby, and schedule it for the part of the day when your child is rested and fed. Everything else, including the light, the landmark and the outfit, can be adjusted around that.
This guide is for parents travelling with babies, toddlers and children under about six. It covers the time of day, the right package length, the Paris parks that suit small children, how to get around with a stroller, what to bring, and what happens if the day does not go to plan. I am Finzi, and this is the checklist I go through with families before a young-children session.
The best time is the window when your toddler is rested and fed, which usually means a morning session after breakfast or a late-afternoon session after the nap. A tired or hungry child gives you a short session however good the light is, so I plan around your child's rhythm first and the sun second.
For light alone, sunrise and the hour before sunset give the softest and most flattering results. Midday light is harder, but I use shade and backlighting to shape the photos, and that slot works well for families whose children have a lot of energy. The trade-off is that crowds are at their peak around midday, so a toddler who wants to run needs a spot with room.
Tell me your child's nap and meal times when you contact me. I will propose a start time that fits them, and we can adjust it if the schedule changes once you arrive.
TipBuild the session around the nap, not around the light. Light can be shaped, a tired toddler cannot.
| 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 |
One hour at one location is enough for most toddlers, which is the Essential session: €300, 1 hour, 30 edited photos, 1 location. Small children give their best expressions in the first stretch, and a single location means no extra travel, no extra stroller handling and no extra waiting.
Choose Signature (€500, 2 hours, 50 edited photos, 2 locations) if you want a landmark and a park, or if your children are old enough to enjoy walking between spots. Signature is the most popular package. Prestige (€800, 3 hours, 60 edited photos, 3 locations) suits larger family groups with older children more than toddlers.
Every session involves walking, 3 to 5 km depending on the package. With a toddler that means a stroller, a carrier, or a plan for the child to ride on a parent's shoulders for part of it. I pace the session so you are never rushing a child along.
TipIf you are unsure, start with one location. A short session with a happy child beats a long one with a worn-out child.
The easiest locations for toddlers are parks where a playground or carousel sits next to a good backdrop. At the Champ de Mars, the playgrounds sit at the corner of Avenue Charles Risler and Avenue Pierre Loti, next to a hand-cranked carousel about a century old. The Eiffel Tower is a short walk away, so you can combine play and a landmark frame in one session. Note that this is a different carousel from the newer one at the foot of the Trocadero.
The Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement suits a quieter, greener session. The official Paris tourist office,Paris je t'aime, states "There are many activities and facilities for children such as puppets, rides and slides." The main paths are wide and stabilised, so a stroller moves easily, and the lawns and shade help on warm days. Access to the playground itself is paid, so check the current rules at the gate if you want to use it.
The Tuileries Gardens, between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, also have a children's playground and long open paths, with distant views of the Eiffel Tower from the fountain. I photograph families at the Eiffel Tower, the Tuileries and along the Seine, and I choose among them based on your child's age and the time of day.
"With a toddler I let the child move first and I follow, so the camera comes second to the playground," Finzi says. "I pick the spot where a child can wander and the background still looks like Paris."
TipTell me which of these your child would enjoy most. A toddler who is happy on the swings is a toddler who smiles in the photos.
Children under 4 travel free on Paris public transport.Paris je t'aime lists the rules for families: children aged 4 to under 10 pay half price on single tickets and passes, and children aged 10 and over pay the full fare. The transport operator's app, Bonjour RATP, adds that free travel for under-4s applies on presentation of proof, so carry the passport or an ID for your child.
The Metro is old and many stations have stairs and no lift. If you travel with a stroller, plan your route around stations you know have lift access, or be ready to carry the stroller. If the turnstile is too narrow, you can ask the ticket vendor to open the gate next to it.
A taxi or a short walk between two locations often works better than a Metro change with a tired toddler. Because I recommend one or two locations for young children, you will rarely need more than one journey.
TipCheck lift access on your route before you leave the hotel, not on the platform.
Dress your children in classic colours: navy, cream, black, earth tones or soft gold. Avoid large logos, busy patterns and overly casual fabrics. Coordinate the family's palette rather than matching it exactly, so no one looks like a uniform and the photos feel calm.
Layers matter in Paris because the weather shifts through the day. Bring a light jacket and a spare layer for your child that you can remove between frames. Choose shoes your child can run and climb in, and a second pair of socks if you plan to use a playground.
Pack snacks, water, a favourite small toy and a change of clothes. Hand a snack to your child between set-ups. I use these breaks to photograph the quiet moments, which are often the best frames in the gallery.
TipSkip brand-new shoes. A toddler who is uncomfortable will stop walking.
Rescheduling is free and available anytime, so a sick or overtired toddler means a new date, not a lost session. Message me when you know and we will find another slot during your stay.
A meltdown during the session is part of the plan, not a failure. I keep the pacing flexible, stop when your child needs a break, and mix posed, candid and movement-based frames, so the session does not depend on any single moment. Sessions feel like a walk with a friend, not a photoshoot.
Children respond to calm adults. I give the parents clear direction and keep my voice low, which helps small children settle. If your child refuses to look at the camera, I photograph the hands, the walking and the way they reach for you.
TipAsk your child to carry something, such as a small bag or a flower. A task keeps toddlers walking and their hands relaxed.
I recommend booking at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during peak season from April to October. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible, so contact me directly to check availability. Send me your dates, your child's age, their nap times and the kind of place they enjoy.
A €30 non-refundable deposit locks your date. Every session includes location planning, full direction, professional editing, high-resolution digital files with a print licence, and an online gallery delivered within 24 hours. Pick a session. Choose a date. I handle the rest.
TipInclude your child's age in your first message so I can plan the location and pacing around it.
Quick answers to the questions visitors ask before they book.
“Finzi made our whole family feel so comfortable. Even our two-year-old was laughing the entire time. The photos are absolutely perfect and we received them the next day.”
Pick a session. Choose a date. I handle the rest.
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