Paris is commonly referred to as the city of love. Oh wait, you already knew that! Why else would you choose Paris as the perfect backdrop to pop the big question?
Everything about a Paris wedding proposal screams romance, love, and lifelong passion. In case you’re still unsure, I just want you to know you’ve picked the right place. There’s no better place than Paris for a lifetime moment. And believe me, I’ve had a lot of them here!
If you’re planning an engagement photoshoot here, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. At Katie Donnelly Photography, we’ve had the privilege of capturing countless love stories against the many iconic and intimate backdrops of Paris. It fills me with so much joy to think about all the incredible stories I’ve heard from clients over the years.
We’ve done engagement shoots with highschool sweethearts, retirement age couples, best-friends-turned-lovers, francophile couples, and many many more. Every love story deserves to be heard, and in our case, seen. I seriously believe there’s no better way to witness true, committed love than to see it captured in a fine art snapshot that will last for many generations to enjoy.
If you’re still on the fence about a surprise engagement photoshoot in Paris, just do it. It could be one of the best decisions you ever make, second to proposing of course!
So whether you’re planning a surprise proposal or want to commemorate your recent engagement in the City of Light, here are our top tips to make your Paris engagement photoshoot truly magical.
Planning a Surprise Proposal with a Hidden Photographer
Imagine the joy of your partner saying “yes” to a proposal they didn’t see coming, all while a photographer discreetly captures the moment. This is where we come in. We specialize in orchestrating surprise proposals that are seamless and unforgettable. The reactions are always priceless and make us feel all the emotions.
How it works:
Pre-shoot Consultation:
We’ll discuss your vision with you, via email or even through a Zoom call if you prefer. This way we can talk about preferred locations, the best time to ensure optimal lighting and minimal crowds, and how to keep it all secret.
Discreet Presence:
We do morning shoots (early morning or late). On the day, we’ll set up a meeting point and an outfit that you can identify your photographer by. The photographer will blend into the background, capturing candid, intimate moment leading up to the proposal.
The Big Moment:
When the time is right, we’ll be ready to document the exact moment of your proposal, preserving the raw emotion and joy. Ugh, this is our favorite part.
Post-Proposal Session:
After the proposal, we’ll guide you through a relaxed photoshoot to celebrate your new engagement, while you feel all the feelings. Soak it up!
Popular Locations for Photo Spots in Paris
Paris offers a plethora of picturesque locations perfect for engagement photos. Here are some of our favorite spots and our most popular:
Eiffel Tower viewpoint options:
Trocadéro:
For iconic shots in front of the Eiffel Tower (it’ll be close in the background). Perfect in any season.
Bir-Hakeim Bridge:
A covered bridge with a stunning backdrop of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Perfect in all seasons, and an excellent choice on a rainy day since it’s covered.
Avenue de Camoëns:
Less crowded than the Trocadéro Esplanade, this tiny dead-end pedestrian avenue offers a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower nearby.
Favorite Locations without Eiffel Tower views:
Luxembourg Gardens:
A serene natural setting with lush greenery, a chateau, a duck pond, and the charming Medici Fountain. A perfect spot for Spring and Summer when everything is green and the flowers are blooming.
Banks of the Seine River:
Classic, Seine river backdrop with bridges in the background and that perfect Parisian movie atmosphere. Perfect for any time of year, but I personally LOVE a Seine Winter photoshoot with the silhouette of wool coats and long jackets.
Charming Cafés:
Capture the essence of Parisian life with a cozy café stop. Perfect in all seasons, but especially in Fall and Winter for romantic shots under a covered terrace with mugs of chocolat chaud.
Other great locations with unique backdrops and elegant Parisian architecture:
Ile Saint Louis
Louvre museum
Montmartre
Palais Royal
Parc Monceau
Place Dauphine & Pont Neuf
Place des Vosges
Pont Alexandre III
Saint Germain dès Pres
What I love is that each location offers a unique ambiance, which allows us to tailor your photoshoot to your personal style and preferences. What kind of vibe are you going for? How do you want to remember this moment? Let us know what your ideal location for a romantic moment is. We have plenty of great ideas if you’re not sure. No matter what, we want this to be a stress-free proposal that is full of personal touches. Your portraits should reflect your unique relationship in a romantic ambiance.
Keeping the Photoshoot a Secret
Maintaining the element of surprise is crucial, especially for a secret proposal. We do this all the time and it’s so fun! Here are some strategies to keep the photoshoot under wraps:
Coordinate with a Friend:
Have a trusted friend or family member assist in planning and keeping the secret. This can be helpful if you happen to be traveling with friends and/or family. If it’s just you and your partner, don’t stress. This isn’t the most important step. We can pick up any extra slack to make it all happen in the perfect place at the perfect time.
Disguise the Photoshoot:
If you don’t want to keep it a secret, you can present the session as a “just because” photoshoot, or a special way to capture memories of the trip. Then you can seamlessly slip in a proposal while we’re doing a normal session. I can guarantee they’ll be surprised and delighted.
Use a Decoy:
If you want to keep the photo shoot a total secret from your partner, we recommend telling your partner you have reservations for a fancy restaurant for lunch, and to dress nicely for it. Since our outdoor sessions are all in the morning, this makes it so easy. Your partner will dress nicely for “lunch” when you head out in the morning, and then we’ll capture the proposal first thing so you have the entire day to celebrate the news! You could also actually make reservations for lunch after if you want!
I promise you, this tactic works SO well. They’ll have no idea.
Our goal is to ensure the photoshoot feels natural and unplanned, capturing authentic emotions and reactions.
Making the Moment Special
Here are some tips on how you can enhance the significance of your photoshoot:
Personalize the Experience:
Feel free to incorporate elements that reflect your relationship, like meaningful props (besides the ring, of course), meaningful locations in Paris if you’ve already been there together, or memories to reflect on during the photoshoot. Having some stories on hand can help make everyone feel more comfortable and relaxed. We love snapping photos of couples having fun together and laughing.
Dress the Part:
Choose outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable. Rich, solid colors and classic styles often work well in Parisian settings. I often recommend pairing rich tones with neutral colors, to make them stand out. We have SO many resources for choosing outfits for a photoshoot! Go check out our blog HERE
Be Present:
Focus on each other and the moment. Don’t worry about us. We’ll blend into the background and do our part. The portraits will turn out better if you don’t stress about us and just relax into the moment with the person you love. Genuine interactions lead to the most beautiful photographs.
Schedule a Portrait Viewing Session:
The timing of this is totally up to you. We can do an hour long viewing right after your shoot while it’s all still fresh. That way you can come to the studio and select your Paris engagement photos immediately, so you have the whole evening free.
If you’d rather spend the next few hours alone as a couple, celebrating your engagement together in the most romantic city, you can also schedule a viewing session for later that day or on another day of your trip.
Celebrate Afterwards:
Consider a post-marriage proposal celebration, like a reservation at a nice Parisian restaurant for dinner, a Seine river cruise, or a toast at a scenic spot, to commemorate the special moment.
For more ideas for your perfect Paris proposal, check out our other blog HERE
Booking Your Paris Engagement Photoshoot
Ready to capture your love story in Paris with a professional photographer? It would be our absolute pleasure to be your surprise proposal photographer!
Book your magical moment with us at Katie Donnelly Photography HERE.
