Some families come to Paris for a week. Others are lucky enough to call it home for a little while.
For the Bhatia family, this autumn family photoshoot in Paris was about celebrating a chapter of their lives they knew wouldn’t last forever.
Shwetha (Sway), Neeraj (Nick), and their adorable three-year-old daughter, Ayana, moved to Paris from the United States in December 2021. Living in Europe had always been a dream for Sway and Nick. When an opportunity through Nick’s job made it possible, they jumped at the chance.
But with their eventual return to the States on the horizon, they wanted to preserve what everyday life in Paris felt like. Not just the beautiful buildings and iconic landmarks, but their little family exploring the city together.
And, of course, all the sass and personality that comes with being three years old!
We absolutely LOVE photographing families visiting Paris on a family vacation. But there’s something equally special about documenting the lives of families who call Paris home, even temporarily.
Add in the gorgeous autumn colors of the Luxembourg Gardens, a beautiful October morning, and one very spirited little Parisienne-in-training?
We couldn’t wait to get started.
You can see more of their gorgeous portraits in our Bhatia Family Photography Portfolio.
What You’ll Find in This Blog:
- Before the Paris Family Photoshoot: Getting to Know the Bhatia Family
- Planning Their Autumn Family Photoshoot at Luxembourg Gardens
- Behind the Scenes: How Our Paris Photography Studio Prepared
- During the Photoshoot: Making the Magic Happen at Luxembourg Gardens
- Why Luxembourg Gardens Is One of Our Favorite Paris Family Photography Locations
- After the Paris Family Photoshoot: Choosing Artwork at Our Studio
- FAQ: Paris Family Photoshoot
- Ready to Book Your Paris Family Photoshoot?
Before the Paris Family Photoshoot: Getting to Know the Bhatia Family
At Katie Donnelly Photography, we always start by getting to know our clients before their photoshoot.
We want to know what makes your family YOUR family. What you love doing together. What makes you laugh. And what you hope to remember when you look back at your portraits years from now.
With the Bhatias, we loved their story from the very beginning.
Unlike many of our clients, who are visiting Paris for a special vacation, this family was already living their Parisian dream.
They loved their neighborhood, their daily adventures, and the little moments that made living abroad feel so extraordinary.
As Sway explained:
“I think when we see these photos, we want to look back fondly at familiar areas we spent time at as a family and also feel a reminder of the constant ‘Do we actually live in Paris!?’ thoughts we have going through our minds!”
HOW sweet is that?
It’s a feeling we understand so well. Even when Paris becomes your everyday home, there are moments when you look around and remember just how incredible this city really is.
For Sway and Nick, their time in France was also an important part of Ayana’s childhood. She was growing and changing so quickly, and they wanted professional family portraits before returning to the US.
Sway even mentioned loving the idea of four photoshoots across the year. One for each season, capturing the changing beauty of Paris AND the changes in their little girl.
We think that’s such a wonderful idea. A seasonal family photo session is a great way to document those little changes while creating beautiful memories together.
What Did the Bhatia Family Want to Remember?
One of our favorite questions to ask before a family photoshoot is:
When you look back in 20 years, what parts of yourselves do you want to see reflected back at you?
The Bhatias answered:
“The mischievousness, spunk, and sass of our daughter (and ourselves 🙂 ). The delight and awe we feel from our surroundings. Enjoying our company within our beautiful and historic surroundings.”
We LOVED this answer.
Because while everyone wants a beautiful family portrait, we also want to capture what makes each family different.
The little expressions. The inside jokes. The way a toddler looks at her parents when she’s plotting something particularly mischievous.
Those are the details that make photographs feel personal. We want every family’s unique personality to shine through.
And speaking of personality, we asked the Bhatias to describe themselves in three words.
Their first answer?
“Sassy mooses & pantoufle.”
Apparently, there’s a whole family story behind that one!
They eventually settled on sassy, goofy, and curious. And we couldn’t think of three better words to guide a fun, relaxed family photography session.
If you’ve explored our Paris Photography Portfolio, you’ll know that capturing these genuine family connections is at the heart of what we do.
Their Dream Paris Family Photograph
We also asked Sway to describe the photograph she dreamed of creating.
Her answer was all about light and happiness.
“Something where you can see our personal glow of happiness and also the glow from the amazing Paris light.”
She referenced a beautiful Parisian fashion campaign by Meghan Donovan, where the natural light seemed to surround the subject.
We loved the inspiration.
Not because we wanted to recreate a fashion photograph, but because it told us how Sway wanted her portraits to FEEL.
Warm. Joyful. Full of light. And unmistakably Parisian.
Our job was to bring that vision to life in a way that felt natural for a family with a very energetic three-year-old.
Planning Their Autumn Family Photoshoot at Luxembourg Gardens
The Bhatias had plenty of wonderful ideas for their photoshoot locations.
They loved the grassy areas along their own street, Avenue de Breteuil, and the Eiffel Tower view from their apartment. They were also drawn to the bridges of Paris, especially Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, and Pont Alexandre III.
From romantic bridges to charming cobblestone streets, Paris offers so many beautiful locations for family photography. We love helping our clients choose the right location for their vision and personal style.
And since the Bhatias spent so much of their time at parks and playgrounds with Ayana, they were very open to photographing somewhere green.
This gave us a lovely starting point.
We wanted a location that felt familiar to their Parisian lifestyle. Somewhere Ayana could enjoy herself while we created beautiful family portraits.
The Luxembourg Gardens were a perfect choice.
Located in the 6th arrondissement, the Jardin du Luxembourg is one of our absolute FAVORITE locations for family photography in Paris.
It has everything we love about Paris in one place. Gorgeous architecture, elegant fountains, tree-lined pathways, open lawns, seasonal flowers, and beautiful pockets of natural light.
And in October?
The autumn leaves make everything even more magical.
We also love that the gardens offer so much variety without needing to travel across the city. This is especially important when photographing young children.
For another look at how beautifully the gardens photograph in fall, take a peek at Emily’s Autumn Solo Photoshoot at Luxembourg Gardens.
It’s the same wonderful location, but with a completely different story and photographic style.
Behind the Scenes: How Our Paris Photography Studio Prepared
Once we’d chosen the Luxembourg Gardens as our location, it was time to make sure everything was organized for the Bhatias’ session.
We believe a relaxed family photoshoot starts with thoughtful preparation.
Before every session, our team works with clients to understand their vision, discuss specific locations, and make sure they feel confident about what to expect.
Our goal is to make the entire process as easy and enjoyable as possible. From planning to choosing artwork, we’re there to guide our clients every step of the way.
For the Bhatias, we chose the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens for their family photoshoot. With its gorgeous autumn colors, elegant fountains, and tree-lined pathways, it was the perfect setting to capture this special chapter of their Parisian life.
We also made sure all the practical details were taken care of ahead of time, so the family could simply arrive, relax, and enjoy the experience.
Preparing for a Family Photoshoot With a Toddler
We also knew that photographing Ayana would be a little different from photographing a couple or a solo traveler.
And that’s exactly how we like it.
With young kids, flexibility is everything.
Rather than expecting a three-year-old to stand still and smile on command, we plan for movement, exploration, and plenty of opportunities for spontaneous moments.
We also use what we learn from the family’s questionnaire to guide the experience.
For Ayana, that meant making space for her curiosity, her independence, and all that wonderful sass her parents had told us about.
We wanted the session to feel like a happy family morning in the gardens, not an hour of asking a toddler to behave perfectly.
After all, a family photo shoot should be fun for everyone, including the littlest family members!
You can see a very different approach to planning a Paris family session in Brittany’s Black Tie Family Photoshoot at Trocadéro. That’s what we love about custom photography. Every family brings its own energy and vision.
During the Photoshoot: Making the Magic Happen at Luxembourg Gardens
And then it was finally time for the fun part!
A beautiful October morning in the Luxembourg Gardens, with the trees beginning to turn golden and the soft autumn light filling the pathways.
We couldn’t have asked for a lovelier setting.
But the real star of the morning?
Little Ayana, of course.
Ayana’s Big Personality in Front of the Camera
Three years old is SUCH a fun age to photograph.
There’s so much personality, curiosity, and energy. And Ayana had all three.
We loved capturing her playful expressions, her adventurous little spirit, and those moments when she was simply being herself.
The gardens gave her room to move and explore, which made the session feel wonderfully natural.
There are beautiful photographs of Ayana running near the Luxembourg Gardens’ famous sailboat pond, enjoying the garden paths, and having sweet moments with her parents.
And then there are those quieter portraits.
A little girl standing near a tree. A moment on the garden steps with her dad. A family cuddle surrounded by the beautiful greenery and autumn colors.
These are the kinds of photographs we love most.
Not every image needs everyone looking directly at the camera.
Sometimes the most meaningful portraits happen when a child is busy discovering something new, or when parents are simply enjoying being with their little one.
Capturing Natural Family Moments in Paris
One of the most important things Sway and Nick wanted was to see their family’s happiness reflected in their photographs.
We kept that in mind throughout the session.
Rather than focusing only on traditional family poses, we made space for walking, playing, laughing, and enjoying the gardens together.
Of course, we also love a gorgeous family portrait where everyone is close together and looking wonderful.
But the candid moments in between can be just as special.
The way Ayana reaches for her dad’s hand. The affection between Sway and her daughter. Those little bursts of laughter that happen when nobody is thinking about the camera.
We had so much fun capturing their interactions. It was a playful session that really reflected their family’s energy.
The Bhatias wanted to remember the joy of their life in Paris, and these everyday interactions were such an important part of that story.
Our approach is similar for couples, too. In Sheila and Jeff’s Paris Couples Photoshoot on Île Saint-Louis, we focused on natural connection and locations that felt meaningful to them.
Different clients, different stories, but the same goal: photographs that genuinely feel like the people in them.
Beautiful Autumn Leaves and Parisian Light
Can we talk about the autumn colors for a moment?
Because the Luxembourg Gardens in October are just GORGEOUS.
The leaves begin turning shades of yellow, gold, and warm brown. The tree-lined walkways create beautiful backgrounds, and the lower autumn sun brings a lovely softness to the photographs.
For the Bhatias, it was exactly the atmosphere we’d hoped for.
The seasonal colors added warmth and texture without taking attention away from the family.
We also had the gardens’ elegant stone steps, the Medici Fountain, and the beautiful central pond to work with.
Each area offered a slightly different look.
Some portraits felt playful and full of movement. Others were more classic and timeless.
And together, they created a lovely collection of photographs that celebrated both the Bhatias and their Parisian surroundings.
Why Luxembourg Gardens Is One of Our Favorite Paris Family Photography Locations
We photograph families all over Paris, and every neighborhood has something special to offer.
But the Luxembourg Gardens will always have a particularly big place in our hearts.
For family photography, they’re almost impossible to beat.
Located in the heart of Paris, these beautiful gardens are a popular choice for families who want a mix of nature, architecture, and classic Parisian charm.
The Medici Fountain: Elegant Paris Family Portraits
The Medici Fountain is one of the most beautiful spots in the Luxembourg Gardens.
Its historic stonework, peaceful reflections, and surrounding greenery make it a gorgeous setting for classic family portraits.
We love using this area for photographs that feel a little more elegant and intimate. It’s an ideal spot for creating timeless images with a romantic Parisian atmosphere.
The Grand Bassin and Luxembourg Palace: Playful Family Photography
The central pond, known as the Grand Bassin, is another favorite.
With the Luxembourg Palace in the background and colorful sailboats floating across the water, it feels unmistakably Parisian.
It’s also a wonderful spot for photographing young children.
There’s always something interesting to look at, which helps create natural expressions and playful moments.
For a Paris garden photoshoot with children, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect spot.
Tree-Lined Pathways: Beautiful Autumn Family Photos in Paris
And then there are those gorgeous tree-lined paths.
In autumn, the leaves turn golden and create some of the prettiest natural backgrounds in Paris.
These paths are the perfect backdrop for walking portraits, family cuddles, candid photographs, and capturing movement.
What makes the Luxembourg Gardens especially versatile is how easily we can move between all these different settings.
Within one garden, we can create portraits that feel grand and architectural, soft and romantic, or fun and completely candid.
It’s also a wonderful location throughout the year.
Spring brings blossoms and fresh greenery. Summer offers lush gardens and vibrant flowers. Autumn gives us those gorgeous golden leaves. And winter has its own quiet, elegant atmosphere.
We love that the Bhatias chose to document their family here during such a beautiful season.
It was the perfect setting for a little snapshot of their Paris life.
After the Paris Family Photoshoot: Choosing Artwork at Our Studio
One of our favorite parts of the entire Katie Donnelly Photography experience happens AFTER the photoshoot.
Once we’ve captured all those wonderful moments, we invite our clients to our beautiful Paris photography studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Here, they get to see their portraits for the first time in a special cinematic viewing session.
And yes, this usually happens on the SAME DAY as their photoshoot!
We love watching families see their photographs for the first time. It’s one thing to enjoy a wonderful morning together. It’s another to see those little moments turned into beautiful portraits.
During the viewing session, we help our clients choose their favorite photographs and decide how they’d like to enjoy them in their homes.
For the Bhatias, we already had some lovely ideas to work with.
When we asked Sway where she imagined displaying their portraits, she told us:
“Our future U.S. home is up in the air at the moment, but I like the idea of having a gallery wall in our entryway and also in the family room. If Ayana allows it, maybe I can make her future room Parisian-themed and add our photos there as well.”
We LOVE the idea of Ayana having photographs of her childhood in Paris displayed in her bedroom.
Imagine her looking at those portraits years from now and seeing herself as a little three-year-old, running around the Luxembourg Gardens with her parents.
And for Sway and Nick, a gallery wall in their future American home would be such a lovely reminder of the life they built together in France.
That’s exactly why we think about artwork from the very beginning.
Fine Art Albums and Wall Artwork
At KDP, we believe beautiful photographs deserve to be seen and enjoyed.
Not forgotten on a hard drive or buried somewhere in your phone.
We specialize in museum-quality photography artwork designed to last for generations.
Our custom artwork collection includes:
- Premium acrylic wall portraits — modern, vibrant statement pieces that beautifully showcase your favorite family photographs.
- Framed fine art canvases — elegant, timeless artwork that adds warmth and personality to your home.
- Hardwood-framed archival photographs — classic framed portraits, perfect for gallery walls and family spaces.
- Smaller archival prints — lovely keepsakes for desks, shelves, and thoughtful gifts.
- Hand-designed fine art albums — beautifully crafted albums printed on archival papers, designed to tell the story of your photoshoot.
Our artwork is created using archival materials and professional finishes designed for longevity. We can also ship finished artwork worldwide, making it easy to bring your Paris memories home.
During the studio viewing session, we help families choose the photographs that work best together. We consider everything from size and composition to the space where each piece might eventually hang.
For a family like the Bhatias, who were planning an international move, this is especially meaningful.
Their photographs could become part of their next home, wherever that might be.
And a fine art album would be another beautiful way to tell the story of their Parisian autumn.
You can learn more about our Paris photography experience and artwork process.
What the Bhatia Family Ordered
The Bhatia Family chose this gorgeous photo as a 24 x 30in Fine Art Canvas.
They also chose this portrait as a 16 x 24 in Fine Art Canvas:
They chose this adorable shot of Ayana running by the château at Luxembourg Gardens in a 16 x 24in Fine Art Canvas:
And lastly, they ordered a Fine Art Album (10in x 10in) with the embossed lettering: Autumn in Paris.
Absolute perfection. We couldn’t have chosen better ourselves.
There’s something so special about creating photographs of a place you once called home.
Years from now, Paris might no longer be part of the Bhatias’ everyday routine. But the portraits they created here can bring a little piece of that life into their future home.
FAQ: Paris Family Photoshoot
Is Luxembourg Gardens a good location for family photos with toddlers?
Absolutely! Luxembourg Gardens is one of our favorite places for family photography in Paris, especially with young children.
The garden has beautiful pathways, open spaces, fountains, and plenty of interesting things for little ones to explore. This allows us to capture natural movement and genuine expressions without expecting children to stay still for the entire session.
It’s also incredibly versatile, with gorgeous photography opportunities throughout all four seasons.
Please don’t worry!
We photograph children of all ages, and we know that toddlers have their own ideas about how a morning should go.
Our photographers keep sessions relaxed and playful. We use gentle direction, games, and movement to encourage natural interactions.
Some of our favorite photographs happen when children are simply being themselves.
We want your family to enjoy the experience, not spend the morning worrying about perfect behavior.
After your photoshoot, we’ll invite you to our Paris studio for a cinematic viewing of your portraits, typically on the same day.
You’ll see your beautiful photographs and work with our team to choose your favorites.
We’ll also guide you through our collection of museum-quality wall artwork, archival prints, and fine art albums.
Our goal is to help you create artwork that fits your home and preserves the moments that matter most to you.
You can find more information in our Paris Photography FAQs.
Of course! We love photographing families in every season. Paris looks completely different in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season brings its own colors, light, and atmosphere.
For families living in Paris, seasonal family photoshoots are also a wonderful way to document how children grow and change throughout the year.
If you’re wondering about the best time to book a fall family photoshoot, we especially love October for its colorful leaves and beautiful natural light.
We often recommend early morning sessions, when the gardens can be quieter. The ideal time of day also depends on the season, the location, and your family’s schedule.
And you don’t need a special occasion to book a session.
Sometimes celebrating your everyday life together is reason enough.
Ready to Book Your Paris Family Photoshoot?
Contact Katie Donnelly Photography to Plan Your Paris Family Photoshoot
As a Paris family photographer, our goal is to make every session feel personal, comfortable, and full of joy. With years of experience photographing families in the city of love, our team knows how to help everyone feel at ease in front of a camera.
Whether you’re searching for a Paris photographer to document a special trip or simply want to celebrate your everyday life here, you’re in the right place.
We want every family to leave with an unforgettable experience and beautiful artwork to enjoy for years to come.
The Bhatias’ autumn session was such a lovely reminder of why we do what we do.
Sway, Nick, and Ayana, thank you for trusting us to capture this special chapter of your Parisian life. We loved seeing your family’s personality shine through in the Luxembourg Gardens.
