My Favorite Spots for Portraits in Paris || Katie Donnelly Photography, English Speaking Paris Photographer

Paris is beautiful; this is no secret! It’s a large part of the reason I love working here, and why many families and couples who are locals and those who are visiting choose to capture their special memories here through photography. While a list of my favorite spots for portraits in this gorgeous city could be nearly endless, here are a few that bear mentioning. Have any to add? Share them in the comments!

Louvre Pyramid

This iconic structure is one not to miss in Paris, but it has an added bonus as an excellent backdrop for portraits. When the sun shines through the glass, especially in the summer, the morning light is perfect!

Local Cafés 

There is nothing more Parisian than soaking up the sunshine with a café or chocolate chaud on the terrasse of a local café! My favorite part of portrait sessions that include a stop at a café is that it takes the pressure off of the moment — it’s a snapshot of everyday life and gives everyone a chance to let their hair down and chat!  

Medici Fountain

This iconic, ornate fountain is a favorite for many of our younger clients — full of happy ducks and splashing water — and also is a symbol of the history of French royalty. Inside the Luxembourg Gardens, this is a great stop that can be combined with other garden highlights in a single session!

Pont de l'Archevêché

The Seine boasts many beautiful bridges, but this is my favorite. The iron balustrade is a great texture for the foreground, and the iconic Notre Dame in the background creates an idyllic Parisian scene!

Musee Galliera

The larger, more central museums in Paris tend to get much of the attention, but this fashion and history museum in the 16th arrondissement is beautiful both inside and out! In particular, the gardens around the museum are a great place to soak up the beauty and capture portraits to cherish!

Palais Royal

The arcade and courtyard at the Palais Royale are favorite spots of mine for families. Kids have a blast running and playing and jumping from black-and-white candy-striped columns that dot the courtyard as a part of an art installation, like an elevated game of hopscotch!

TrocadEro/Eiffel Tower

Of course, what list of Paris highlights would be complete without a mention of the Eiffel Tower! Across the river from the tower and the Champs de Mars, the Trocadero is a perfect vantage point from which photographers can focus on their subjects while also integrating this iconic structure into the background.

You can find beauty in Paris on almost every corner, which is one of the best parts of being a photographer here; with each family, we can incorporate new favorites into each portrait session! If you head to any of these places to snap some photos, tag us on social media so we can see the beauty you create!

xo

Katie + KDP team