Colours, fabrics, shoes and layers for a proposal photographed from a distance
Wear solid classic colours such as navy, cream, black, earth tones or soft gold, in fabrics that hold their shape, with comfortable flat or block-heel shoes and one outer layer you can take off.
Below: colours, shoes, seasonal layers, what to wear if your partner does not know, and what to carry. It is written for the person planning the proposal and for the person being proposed to. I photograph proposals from a hidden position with a telephoto lens, so your outfit has to read clearly at distance and still work for the couples portrait afterward.
Navy, cream, black, earth tones and soft gold photograph best, because they sit calmly against Paris stone, steel and water. Mid-tones and deeper shades also keep your skin tone and the light on your face from being overpowered. Avoid large logos, busy patterns and overly casual fabrics. Very fine stripes and tight checks can shimmer on camera, so choose solids or a quiet texture.
Distance changes the rules. Finzi works from a hidden position, so you need to stand apart from the background. Pale beige against a pale limestone facade can blur into the wall. A deeper tone or one clear accent colour solves that.
"I shoot proposals from far away with a telephoto lens, so I look for the one colour that separates you from the building behind you," Finzi says. "Navy, deep green or burgundy on a pale street works every time."
Coordinate, do not match. If one of you wears navy, the other can wear cream or a soft earth tone. Identical outfits flatten the frame.
TipPhotograph your outfit on your phone outside in daylight before you pack it. Colours that look fine in a hotel mirror can read differently outdoors.
| 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 |
Choose fabrics that move and recover: crepe, soft cotton, wool blends, fluid satin and jersey with some weight. Thin linen creases within minutes of sitting on a train. Stiff, shiny synthetics can look flat in direct sun.
Test the outfit for one specific movement: kneeling. Trousers should bend at the knee without pulling. A dress or skirt should settle when the wearer drops to the ground, and a long hem should not catch under the knee. If the proposer's jacket buttons close, check that it still looks neat when they bend forward.
Open locations such as bridges and quays are often breezy. Long scarves, veils and very full skirts can blow across the frame at the key second. If you love a flowing piece, choose one with enough weight to stay put, and tell me so I can pick a sheltered spot.
TipSteam or iron the outfit the evening before. Wrinkles show clearly in high-resolution files.
Flat shoes, clean leather trainers, loafers, ankle boots and block heels work best on Paris cobblestones and bridges. Thin stilettos catch in paving gaps and make a quiet, planned walk feel hurried. My sessions cover 3-5 km on foot depending on the package, so wear shoes that are already broken in.
Plan the approach too. The official Eiffel Tower website lists Bir-Hakeim station on line 6 as less than 10 minutes' walk from Entrance 1. That is a real walk in your proposal shoes, before the proposal.
After rain, stone surfaces hold puddles. Waterproof ankle boots are a sensible choice because Paris stone pools water fast after rain. For a dress, bring a pair of flats in a small bag if you want heels for the portraits only.
TipBring a small pair of foldable flats if you want to wear heels for the portraits only.
Layers matter in Paris because the weather shifts through the day. The city's official tourist office publishes monthly averages: January runs from 3.4 to 7.5°C, February from 2.7 to 7.2°C, March from 2.8 to 8.3°C. That means a proper coat in winter. Keep it plain and well fitted, so it looks good in the frame. If you want an unobstructed outfit shot, the proposer can leave the coat open or hand it over after the question.
On rain,Paris je t'aime, the official Paris tourist office, states "Paris does not have a distinct rainy season." So pack a compact umbrella in a neutral colour whatever the month. Light rain can make dramatic skies and an intimate mood, and I work in most weather. Free rescheduling is available if conditions are not right for your proposal.
In spring and autumn, wear a light knit or shirt with a jacket or trench you can remove. In summer, choose breathable fabrics that do not show sweat, and bring a light layer for the evening. In winter, add gloves in a neutral tone and a scarf that you can tuck in.
TipPick the outer layer first, then build the outfit under it. In cooler months it is in most of the frames.
They should wear whatever they would put on for a nice evening out, in comfortable shoes and a layer for the weather. Your partner does not know I am there, so the outfit has to feel natural to them. A dinner reservation or a special day out gives you a cover reason to suggest dressing up.
If you can, look at what they usually wear and plan your own outfit to complement it. Ask them to wear comfortable shoes because you plan a walk. That is true, and it protects the photos.
I photograph the proposal first, then we continue with a relaxed couples portrait together. Their outfit does the full job: candid proposal, then the session once the secret is out.
TipChoose your own outfit last, so it can complement what your partner is wearing.
Keep the ring in a secure inside pocket and check the pocket on the day, because a jacket that gapes or bulges gives the surprise away. If your outfit has no pockets, carry a small bag that matches your colours and hand it over before you kneel. Keep the rest of the load light: phone, keys and a compact umbrella.
Choose jewellery that does not compete with the ring. A simple watch, small earrings or a fine chain work well. Large statement pieces draw the eye away from the hands, and the hands are the picture. Sunglasses stay on until the moment, then come off. Hats can shade the face, so wear one only if you are happy to remove it.
Hair and grooming matter less than comfort, but plan for the wind. If your hair is long, take a clip or tie for the walk and let it down for the portraits.
TipPractise taking the ring out of your pocket in the outfit you will wear. It takes seconds at home and saves fumbling on the day.
The Proposal session is €300 for 1 hour with a hidden camera. I arrive first, position myself out of sight, and photograph every second from a distance. A couples portrait follows. Edited photos are delivered within 24 hours.
A €30 non-refundable deposit locks your date. Rescheduling is free at any time, which is useful if the weather turns on the day. If you want the Eiffel Tower lit up, the Night Session is €450, after sunset.
Tell me your date, the location you have in mind and what you plan to wear. I will suggest where the colours work and what to adjust.
TipSend me your outfit plan once you have it. I will tell you if it works for your location and time of day.
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.
BOOK NOW