Paris is a fairyland for anyone with a creative soul and passion for photography.
Whether you are looking for unusual activities in iconic Parisian locations, or opportunities to capture magazine-style photos of yourself in the city’s most romantic spots, Paris has it all in abundance.
Today I’d like to share with you four photogenic experiences I personally tried during my stay in Paris and would recommend the most.
They are not only unique to experiencebut will also leave you with a set of extraordinary images that will forever remind you of your stay in the city of light.
PICNIC AT THE EIFFEL TOWER
If you want to feel like you are on a movie set, you should definitely treat yourself to a picnic “a la Françoise” with the vista of the Eiffel Tower.
Imagine kicking off your day with petit dejeuner (breakfast in French) with the Iron Lady in the background.
Think a cup of strong black espresso, an orange juice, a basket of classically French fluffy croissants and other scrumptious viennoiseries. Just the mere thought of it makes me feel nostalgic.
I booked my picnic experience with PariSabor.
The picnic table was beautifully set up for me on the bank of the Seine near the Eiffel Tower.
You can also choose to have your picnic in the Trocadero Gardens. Although that was my first choice, in the end I decided against it.
The Trocadero Gardens were not very eye-pleasing at the time of my visit. There were major renovations taking place there in preparation for the 2024 Olympics, and I didn’t want to have a picnic surrounded by cranes and construction barriers.
This is why the much more camera-friendly spot at the Seine was a no-brainer choice.
The picnic starts early in the morning. Mine was set up for 7.30 am. You will need to be up with the lark but you won’t regret it.
The sidewalk along the river is very quiet at sunrise. At this time of the day, you can still enjoy some privacy and serenity far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Before taking your first bite of the French pastries, don’t forget to take some photos of yourself at your picnic table with the vista of the Eiffel Tower bathed in the first rays of the morning sunlight.
If you are in a creative rut, you can even style your photos to your creative heart’s desire.
I personally wanted to encapsulate a classical French style and Parisian mood in my shots. So before coming to Paris, I did a deep dive into my closet and unearthed a navy blue and white striped dress (which reminded me of a classical French “la marinière”).
I matched it with a vintage red beret, white gloves, and a scarf bought on Amazon (as part of a French costume set :)) to use all three quintessentially French colours in my photos. You don’t need much to add a fun twist to your images.
- HOW TO BOOK
You can book your experience contacting @parisabor via Instagram or through PariSabor website.
Alternatively, you can check out the website of Lovepicnicparis to book a gourmet picnic on the grass in various Parisian locations. They can also arrange a photographer who will document your experience.
PARIS ROOFTOP PHOTOSHOOT
If you’ve ever been to Paris, you’ve probably noticed numerous photoshoots happening around the clock in most popular corners of the city.
Many travellers want to preserve their holiday memories. But Paris is also a city of choice for many influencers. I’ve never seen so many social media stars as in Paris carrying suitcases with outfit changes to the most instagrammable locations.
Many iconic spots are swarmed with photo shooters, and you have to wait a long time for your turn to take photos.
A Paris rooftop photo shoot is a perfect alternative for those who want to have their photos taken in a more relaxed and private setting. Plus, it’s more than a regular photo shoot – it’s an adventurous experience (with adrenaline rush guaranteed).
Paris rooftops are represented in photography and movies for a reason. They are charming and entirely romantic. Climbing a rooftop gives you that much needed break from reality. Seeing the city from above would put even a down-to-earth realist into a poetic mood.
You can’t easily access a rooftop of a house in Paris unless you are one of its residents. But a rooftop photographer can sneak you in to this magical and secret place.
Note that it’s not as easy as it seems to get to the house rooftop. You need to be very cautious while climbing the ladder for the first time to avoid injuries. This applies also to posing at the edges of the rooftop. It’s essential to organise the shoot with an experienced rooftop photographer who knows how to shoot following all the safety measures.
You can bring outfit changes and props with you to add character and interest to your photos (flowers, balloons, books – you name it).
The best time for a photo shoot is right before sunset so you can get that soft, warm, flattering light that is so perfect for portraits.
In just a one hour photo shoot you will be able to get plenty of outstanding images for your photo gallery wall, photo albums or social media feed.
- HOW TO BOOK
You can book your photo shoot contacting @carina_shooting via Instagram.
FLYING DRESS EXPERIENCE
The flying dress experience is one of a kind. If you want to have your own Marilyn Monroe moment posing for photos in an elegant dress with a long train fluttering in the air, you should book a Flying Dress photo shoot.
The idea originated on the Greek island of Santorini and quickly spread to other countries, including France. Now you can get some fashion magazine-style photos in front of the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, or any other location you agree on with your photographer.
The one-size-fits-all dresses are available for rent in a variety of colours. I chose a red one (doesn’t a colour of love perfectly fit the romantic Paris landscape?) but you can also opt for a black, purple, yellow, or a blue dress.
The dress rental company can arrange a photographer (who also shoots videos) and an assistant for you (the assistant is needed to throw the train in the air during the shoot). But if you want to, you can also bring your own photographer.
My photo shoot started around 7 am at the riverbank close to Ponte d’lena and lasted one hour. We started shooting early before it got busy. It gave us some time to shoot a quick video on the nearly empty bridge at the very foot of the Eiffel Tower, which normally wouldn’t be possible because of the heavy traffic (at least not without a risk of being hit by a car or caught red-handed by the French police).
The whole experience is fun and unique, and if you want to feel like a fairy-tale princess for once you, should definitely add the Flying Dress Photo Shoot to your Paris itinerary.
- HOW TO BOOK
You can rent your dress and book a photo shoot contacting @magnolia.marrakech via Instagram.
FLIGHT OVER PARIS IN A BALLON
When I was searching for the most unusual experiences in the French capital, I came across the balloon flight over Paris. I had never flown in a balloon and got really excited about the prospect of boarding what appeared to be the biggest hot air balloon in the world, saying nothing about taking photos of Paris from the sky!
There are many Ballooning experiences in Paris offered by various companies but the Ballon De Paris Generali located in the Parc André Citroën turned out to be the most affordable option. It’s also easily accessible, and just a short walk away from the Javel–André Citroën station.
The whole experience lasts around 10 minutes and offers a perfect birds-eye view of the city. It lets you take amazing panoramic photos of the Eiffel tower and other Parisian landmarks.
If I had to give you just one photography tip here, I would recommend using a zoom lens if you have one instead of changing lenses in mid-flight (I had to change my lenses which took time and made me miss out on some nice photo opportunities).
Apparently when the weather is nice, the balloon can reach an altitude of around 300 m, which makes it the second highest point in Paris (after the Eiffel Tower).
The balloon doesn’t take off if it’s too windy and the weather conditions are bad, so it’s better to check the forecast in advance.
Following your ride, you may enjoy the rest of your day sunbathing on the grass or going for a stroll in André Citroën Park.
- HOW TO BOOK
You can book your tickets on the Ballon De Paris website.
I hope this article inspired you to try any of the four photogenic experiences in Paris and will help you make your stay in the city of love even more unforgettable.
