Your Paris Photoshoot, From First Hello to Art on Your Wall
Relaxed sunrise sessions with an English-speaking team of Paris photographers. See your portraits the same day in our Saint-Germain studio.
What is a Paris photoshoot with Katie Donnelly Photography like?
It feels like a morning walk through Paris with a friend who happens to know every beautiful corner, and who is very good with a camera. We meet just after sunrise, when the city is quiet and the light is soft. We guide you the whole way: where to stand, what to do with your hands, how to get a real laugh out of a teenager. None of our clients are models. They come out looking like themselves on a very good day.
A few hours later you join us at our studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés to see your portraits on the big screen and choose your favorites as artwork for your home.
- When: Mornings, just after sunrise
- How long: Mini sessions of 30 to 45 minutes in one neighborhood, or up to 2 hours across two
- Where: The Eiffel Tower, Palais Royal, the Luxembourg Gardens, Pont Neuf and more
- Language: English and French
- Your photos: Viewed the same day at our central Paris studio
- Session fee: From €150
“She was so kind the day of and put us instantly at ease. It felt like chatting with an old friend that we hadn’t seen in a while! … If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate and just book it!”
Elizabeth L., birthday and anniversary trip, Google review
Which Paris photoshoot is right for you?
Family photoshoot
Little ones, grandparents, grumpy teenagers: everyone is welcome and nobody has to say cheese. Explore family photoshoots
Engagement and proposal photoshoot
Planning to propose in Paris, or celebrating that you just did. Explore engagement photoshoots
Couples, anniversary and honeymoon photoshoot
For the two of you, at any stage. Explore couples and anniversary photoshoots
Solo photoshoot
Your trip, your milestone, your portraits. Ask about solo photoshoots
Boudoir photoshoot
Private, in studio, at your pace. Explore boudoir photoshoots
“An unforgettable experience that captured not just photos, but a feeling!”
Marina, mother and daughter photoshoot in the Luxembourg Gardens, Google review
How does booking a photoshoot in Paris work?
1. Schedule your session
Tell us your dates and who is coming. We help you pick a session length and location, send our what-to-wear guide and a location guide, and offer a call if you would like to talk it through. We recommend booking 2 to 4 months ahead, earlier for spring and summer. Last-minute requests are always worth an email.
2. Enjoy your Paris photoshoot
We arrive with ideas built around your story and get a mix of candid and posed portraits.
3. See your photos the same day
Come to the studio that afternoon for your viewing. Choose the portraits you love as wall art, a fine art album or archival prints. There is no minimum purchase. Most clients invest €1,500 to €5,000 in their custom photo artwork.
4. Your artwork arrives at home
We ship worldwide and cover shipping on anything ordered at your viewing.
“Within minutes we were laughing and smiling and the nervous jitters were gone. … The process from start to finish was seamless.”
Cynthia B., family photoshoot, Google review
Where are the best places for a photoshoot in Paris?
Our favorites are Palais Royal, the Luxembourg Gardens and Pont Neuf, and the most requested is the Eiffel Tower. A mini session covers one neighborhood with plenty of variety; a two-hour session covers two.
For more ideas, see our 13 best Paris photoshoot locations and our guide to Eiffel Tower photo locations.
Your Paris photographers
Katie Donnelly is an American photographer who opened her Paris studio in 2013 and was voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris in 2017. She leads a team of photographers who speak English and French, so there is no language barrier at any point.
What clients say about their Paris photoshoot
Rated 5.0 from over 320 Google reviews.
- ★★★★★
“I’ve never done a photoshoot and she walked me through the poses and really made me feel comfortable. And within a few hours you’re viewing your photos and picking which ones to keep.”
Amanda B.Google review
- ★★★★★
“Pictures came out so beautiful and more incredible than we could ever imagine! Definitely the easiest and best experience possible for the greatest day ever!!”
Megan W.Google review
- ★★★★★
“She did a fantastic job wrangling our group of 8 (4 teenagers) in 26 degree weather! My mother was beyond delighted when she received the canvas and book from our trip.”
Melanie L.Google review
- ★★★★★
“Zoë put us at ease right away during our family photoshoot in the Jardin de Luxembourg and had some great ideas for different settings and poses.”
Clementine D.Google review
- ★★★★★
“I cannot recommend KDP highly enough! From the communication we received starting with booking to the actual photoshoot itself, the experience was top notch.”
Elizabeth L.Google review
- ★★★★★
“Magda was confident and comfortable behind the camera and knew exactly how to help us to look natural and be ourselves.”
Cynthia B.Google review
- ★★★★★
“Zoe instantly put us at ease and has such a gift for capturing real, unposed moments.”
MarinaGoogle review
You may recognize us from our work featured on Tidy Dad, Everyday Parisian, En Route to Rêverie, Wit + Whimsy, Amanda Kloots, Anna Kloots, HIP Paris, Image Magazine, and NBC.
Which Paris location suits which look?
After photographing thousands of families in Paris, these are our clients’ top picks. All sessions start in the morning, while the city is quiet.
The classic Eiffel Tower photo
- Trocadéro: the famous lookout over the Eiffel Tower. Best at sunrise (in summer we start between 6:45 and 7:45 am).
- Pont Bir-Hakeim: a bridge view of the tower, with more flexible timing.
- Avenue de Camoëns: a Paris street with the tower at the end, quieter than Trocadéro.
- Champ de Mars: the gardens right below the tower.
Romantic and typically Parisian, less touristy
- Pont Neuf and Place Dauphine: one of our clients’ favourites. The oldest bridge in Paris next to a calm, intimate square.
- Île Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame: surrounded by the Seine, with a charming variety of extra-romantic spots.
- Banks of the Seine: a different view of the city, calm and a little off the beaten path.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: quiet streets and alleys around our studio.
- A Parisian café: easy to add to any session, just ask.
Families with little kids
- Luxembourg Gardens: an impeccably kept Florentine-style garden where little ones love to run around.
- Tuileries Garden: a big garden for families and romantic strolls.
Elegant architecture
- The Louvre pyramid: for architecture lovers. Tuesdays are best, because the museum is closed and there are fewer people.
- Palais Royal: gardens and architecture, with some cover on a rainy-ish day.
- Parisian doors: a more casual but still very Parisian look, easy to add anywhere.
Village charm
- Montmartre: cobblestones and iconic hills. A little outside central Paris, but so worth it.
Paris photoshoot questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend 2 to 4 months ahead, and longer for spring and summer. We keep some flexibility for last-minute requests, so email us at hello@katiedonnellyphotography.com.
Just after sunrise. The city is quiet, the light is soft and everyone is fresh. All our outdoor sessions are in the morning.
Mini sessions run 30 to 45 minutes in one neighborhood. Full sessions run up to 2 hours and cover two neighborhoods. Extra time can be added if arranged in advance.
Once you book we send our complete what-to-wear guide. You are welcome to bring a second outfit, or change the look with a jacket, scarf or hat.
Yes. We show you how to pose and then let things unfold naturally. It feels more like spending time with friends than a photo session.
We check in 24 to 48 hours before. If the forecast is poor we try to move your session to a better time or day. If that is not possible, we bring out the nice umbrellas and use cafés, covered passages and markets.
Yes. Katie is American and the team speaks English and French.
The same day, at our studio in central Paris, usually in the early afternoon.
Yes. They are included with our Gold and Platinum sessions. A social-media file comes with every print, and printable files up to 5×7 come with wall portraits.
Sessions start at €150 and go up to €2,750. Artwork and albums are chosen afterwards and start at €500 and go up to €7,500. Contact us for our packages and what is included.
A mini session includes up to six people. For a bigger group, book a double mini session. Gold and Platinum sessions have no limit on group size.
Ready to plan your Paris photoshoot?
Tell us your dates and we will reply with availability and next steps.