If you are considering having your wedding photos taken in Paris, here are five things you should keep in mind from the standpoint of a wedding photographer. The ironclad rule for a successful Paris photo wedding is to gather information thoroughly by yourself and enjoy the interaction with the photographer. Let’s look at each one in detail!
Find your ideal photographer based on your favorite Paris wedding photos
Many of you may read the title and feel it is obvious, but in reality, the majority of people request a wedding photo shoot based on the name value of the wedding photo company. But since there are many different photographers working for major wedding photography companies, in many cases you don’t know which photographer will be in charge of your wedding until the day of the shoot. The quality of the photos is not determined by the recognition of the company, but by the photographer’s taste and skill. If you are going to commission a photo wedding shoot for the memories of a lifetime, it is best not to leave it to chance, but to thoroughly and uncompromisingly search for the ideal photographer on your own.
To do this, make the most of the Internet and social networking sites like Instagram, and start by looking for wedding photos that you like. If your ideal photographer is a freelance photographer, try contacting them directly through their website or social networking sites. Even if the photographer works for a wedding photography company, we recommend asking if it is possible to appoint a photographer.
Consult directly with the photographer about the location & schedule of wedding photos in Paris
Many people may think this is a given, but in fact, there are surprisingly few wedding photography companies that allow you to consult directly with photographers regarding the selection of shooting locations and schedules. While any wedding photography company can choose from standard photo spots such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Alexandre III Bridge, Paris-based photographers are usually subconsciously searching for possible photo spots for their shoots, so they are familiar with attractive locations other than those standard photo spots. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, you can choose from a wide range of locations.
While first-time visitors to Paris may be satisfied with only shooting at such standard locations, those who know Paris well and are particular about their wedding photos and want something different from the rest will want to shoot at locations other than the standard.
Also, be careful when choosing the time of day to shoot. The ability to read light is one of the most important factors for a photographer, and in wedding photography, the shooting direction is often limited depending on the location, so it is necessary to schedule the shoot while keeping in mind the time of day when the ideal light is available.
For example, Trocadero Square is one of the most popular places to take pictures with the Eiffel Tower in the background, but the square is in the shade around sunset, and only the Eiffel Tower in the background is lit by the intense setting sun. This is a situation that photographers want to avoid as much as possible.
Of course, the quality of the light depends on the weather on the day of the shoot, but the photographer should carefully organize the shooting schedule to avoid the possibility of falling into such a difficult situation in the first place. In order to do so, it is necessary to have the skill of a craftsman who is able to assess the “light” that is unique to the area and changes with the seasons.
A photographer living in the area should be able to calculate the position of the sun and create an ideal shooting schedule. For a successful photo wedding, we strongly recommend that you hire a freelance photographer or a wedding photography company that can consult directly with photographers. In order to have a successful photo wedding, we strongly recommend that you hire a freelance photographer or a wedding photography company that allows direct consultation with photographers.
Share your image with the wedding photographer well in advance
There are many different styles of wedding photography. For a musician couple, we may shoot a scene of them playing musical instruments. For a fashion magazine, we may use lighting to express the extraordinary from the camera’s point of view. As for wedding attire, some brides are nowadays photographed not only in pure white wedding dresses, but also in suits with the bride wearing pants. I have the impression that many Western couples are photographed in easy-to-move one-piece dresses or beautiful casual wear, and they can also enjoy shooting with their hair styled down for a more dynamic look. In fact, there are no restrictions at all when it comes to wedding photography styles, and in the extreme, anything goes!
If you and the photographer have a clear understanding of the image you want to capture, you will be able to concentrate on the shoot on the day of the shoot with a natural expression and without any nervousness, and you will be able to take your ideal photos. Also, the photographer will be able to concentrate on the shoot with peace of mind because he/she has a clear understanding of the shooting style that the client is looking for.
Schedule your Paris wedding shoot to include the Golden Hour
For those who are familiar with photography, the hours of sunrise and sunset are known as the “golden hours” of photography. The deep azure blue color of the golden hour of sunrise and sunset in Paris is particularly magical and romantic, so we would like you to organize your shooting schedule to include this time. Also, the warm colors of Parisian streetlights with their lovely decorations, combined with the azure night sky, create a different kind of beauty than during the daytime.
We recommend shooting during the day with a blue sky in the background, but don’t forget to try shooting only silhouettes with the setting sun in the background before sunset, or try night photography with lighting equipment after sunset, for a successful Paris photo wedding with a lot of variation!
For more details, please see “7 Reasons Why Night Wedding Photography in Paris is by far the best choice – Studio Lazuli”.
Control the light and expand your range of expression with lighting photography
Lighting photography is an essential technique for photographing weddings after sunset, whether it is creating light silhouettes in the hair and wedding dress by adding backlighting or using front lighting to cover underexposure and create striking photos that capture facial expressions well. But lighting photography is not a technique limited to after sunset; it should also be used during daytime shooting, depending on the situation.
For example, if you need to take a backlit photo during daylight hours in mid-summer, the subject will appear completely dark if you take a normal photo, so you have no choice but to overexpose the photo if you do not have lighting equipment, right? If the light is a little overexposed, the photo will have a nice, fluffy look, and the result will be fine. However, professional photographers are in a difficult situation when there is intense backlighting and the photographer cannot choose the direction of the light. In such situations, lighting equipment can be used to adjust the exposure of the subject to a suitable range, and in some cases, the background can be darkened to create a dramatic atmosphere.
Also, when shooting wedding ceremonies at churches and cathedrals, or indoors at hotels, lighting photography can be used to create striking images that naturally draw the eye to the subject.
Therefore, we highly recommend that you request a lighting shoot not only for nighttime shoots, but also for daytime shoots. These are the 5 strongest rules for a successful Paris photo wedding!
Leave it to Studio Lazuli for [Wedding Photography in Paris].
As for the above-mentioned “(1) Find your ideal photographer based on the wedding photos you like…”, it is up to you. However, Studio Lazuli is confident that we can help you with (2) to (5) above. Studio Lazuli is well versed in the most attractive spots in Paris and will organize your own wedding photos in Paris at an affordable price (from 480 Euros)!
If you feel that you meet the requirements of (1) above, please visit our Photo & Photography page for more information about our photo shoots.