Updated October 13, 2026
The best time of day for a Paris photoshoot is the hour just after sunrise. The light is soft and golden, and the city is empty, with no tourists bumping into you or photobombing. As a Paris photographer, I strongly encourage a morning session, especially around the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro. Here is why.
What You’ll Find in This Blog:
Why Morning Is the Best Time for a Photoshoot in Paris
Lets agree that if youre having a photo shoot you want to look good. No squinting, comfortable and in a zen state of mind. If you’re a photographer you most likely know about the golden hour. It’s the magic hour before sunset and the hour after sunrise when you get this beautiful soft golden light that makes everyone look good. In France you have thesè crazy long days in the spring and summer and quite short days in the late fall and winter. We are talking summer sunrises at 5:30am and winter sunrises at 9am. Now 5:30am is daunting for pretty much everyone I know (I mean the metro is barely running!) BUT I strongly encourage having a morning session for 2 reasons:
1. The Gorgeous, Flattering Light
The golden hour, the hour after sunrise, gives you beautiful soft golden light that makes everyone look good. No squinting.
2. Paris Is Empty in the Morning
The second reason is the fact that Paris is EMPTY in the morning and there are no tourists bumping into you or unintentionally photobombing. Essentially, you feel like the king of the town… it’s great.
The Best Time for Photos at the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro
This is most important around the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero. In the summer I simply don’t do photo sessions at the Trocadero after 8am. It’s just not feasible. A crowd of thousands of people is not enjoyable for anyone and not at all interesting in portraits.
Read our Trocadéro sunrise photoshoot guide and the best Eiffel Tower photo locations for where to stand once you are there.
One of my clients sent me this video of what she wanted the feeling of her session to be, that gorgeous empty morning Paris showered in light… Romantic and simple, styled yet with tons of personality. I’m a big Kylie Minogue girl so I ate it up! However, to do something like this, the morning is the only option.
Ready to have Paris to yourselves?
We meet you just after sunrise, when the light is soft and the city is quiet. Sessions with our English-speaking team start at €150, and you see your photos the same day in our Saint-Germain studio.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
What Time Is Sunrise in Paris?
In France you have these crazy long days in the spring and summer and quite short days in the late fall and winter. We are talking summer sunrises around 5:30am and winter sunrises around 9am. So a sunrise session in December is a very civilized hour, and a sunrise session in June means an early alarm that is completely worth it. For help choosing a month, read our best Paris photoshoot locations by month and why September is one of the best months.
How to Choose the Time for Your Session
So the real question to ask yourself when choosing a time for your session is what kind of Paris you would like to have? And if we’re working with kids, what time are they at their peak energy and cooperation? Whatever time you choose and whatever Paris you are after, we will make sure to capture what you are looking for in your session!
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- With kids, think about when they are at their peak energy and cooperation. For most little ones, that is the morning.
- In summer, plan on a very early start, then a long breakfast afterwards.
- In winter, you get sunrise light without the early alarm.
- Plan your outfits the night before. See our what to wear guide and my favorite pieces on ShopMy.
Next, see how a Paris photoshoot with us works and the 13 best Paris photoshoot locations.
Wishing you lots of happiness and laughter,
Katie
Paris Photoshoot Timing Questions
Just after sunrise. The light is soft and golden, and the city is quiet. All our outdoor sessions are in the morning.
The golden hour is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset, when the light is soft, warm and flattering.
It depends on the season. Summer sunrises are around 5:30am and winter sunrises are around 9am.
First thing in the morning. In summer, Katie does not photograph at Trocadéro after 8am because of the crowds.
Choose the time when your kids have the most energy and are most cooperative. For most young children, that is the morning.
We recommend booking 2 to 4 months ahead, and earlier for spring and summer. Last-minute requests are always worth an email.
“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.
5-star Google review
About the author
Katie Donnelly, Paris Photographer
Katie Donnelly is an American photographer who opened her Paris studio in 2013 and was voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris in 2017. She and her English-speaking team photograph families, couples and solo travelers at sunrise, so visitors go home with relaxed, real portraits instead of rushed selfies. Meet Katie and the team.
Ready to Book Your Paris Photoshoot?
Set the alarm. The Paris you get at sunrise is worth it.
- When: Mornings, just after sunrise, when the city is quiet
- Who: Families, couples, engagements and proposals, and solo travelers, with an English-speaking team
- Your photos: Viewed the same day at our studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Session fee: From €150. Inquire for our full price list.
Tell us your dates and we will help you plan the rest.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
