Photographer in Paris » Get great photos of you in Paris

  

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Our photos of Kea and James’ Paris destination wedding were published in the print version of Brides magazine back in August. Just recently, they published more pics in brides.com real weddings. The post reminded me how good Kea’s Monique Lhuillier gown looked set in the city of love.

Kea’s bridesmaids helped her get into that dress in a high suite at the Raphael. The view of charming, blue-slated Paris-rooftops served as a beautiful reminder they were about to go to s wedding ceremony in the world’s most romantic city.

They were even more awed by the intimate domed chapel where that ceremony took place. As a photographer, I was struck by how stunning the bride looked when her veil was backlit by sun coming through the chapel doors. Even though I had anticipated that shot and placed myself in the best spot to take advantage of the lighting, I was impressed by the bride’s literally glowing entrance.

After the ceremony, the couple wanted to spend only a short time getting photos out in the city. They already had photos of themselves in beautiful Paris locations since we were also the photographers for their engagement photo shoot.

James is a car buff who runs a Porsche restoration shop in his home town. Naturally, I had to show him how well their hired, vintage Rolls would photograph in a Paris square. The ornate lampposts in the background are from the same era as the car. From there, we stopped for a few pics by the Eiffel Tower before speeding off to their reception.

Their evening had a retro band, charming dining room, and whimsical lighting. The traditional guestbook was replaced by the lipstick mirror. Guests could leave kisses and messages on the mirror in their favorite shade of red. Even the bride got in on the fun. Our photo version of this alternative guestbook contains not only writings to serve as memories, but also images of the guests who wrote them.

To end the magical day, guests lit up the Paris night with a sparkler sendoff, lining the path to the newlyweds’ vintage Citroen getaway vehicle. (I told you James was a car buff.)

    

  

    

It was nice seeing our photos of the Gorse-Cousteau wedding published in the print version of Brides Magazine this spring and posted to Brides.com yesterday. We knew of Ashlan Gorse and Philippe Cousteau before they contacted us to shoot their chateau wedding near Paris. We had seen Ashlan often or E! News. We remembered Philippe from CNN International and Animal Planet. Like his famous grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, Philippe is an oceanographer. On the show Oceans Blue, I remembered Philippe fearlessly swimming with sharks. After the wedding, he was part of a fun coincidence. I was telling a friend about photographing Philippe’s wedding. During our conversation, we walked up on a larger than life poster of Philippe modeling for the Gap store. Surprised, I pointed at the poster and said, “that guy.”

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

   

 

  

The photos above explain why brides are willing to cross an ocean for a destination wedding in France. Alison and Philip chose the Chateau d’Artigny for their wedding in the dreamy French countryside. They hired us as their photographers, and the Paris based American event planners of Fete in France to plan their dream wedding.

The bride’s Swarovski crystal Louboutin Stilettos drew oohs and ahhs from every girl who cast eyes on them. Those sounds were bested by the reaction the veiled bride received when she entered the ceremony. What pairs better than a veil lit by enormous chateau windows? How about the trio of veil, grand windows, and the majestic marble staircase of this gorgeous French chateau? Now that’s an entrance. The virtual fireworks that scene caused were followed by real fireworks on the chateau grounds later that evening. The beautiful photo opportunities the day provide illuminates why photographers in France dream of destination weddings at charming countryside chateaus just as much as brides do.

We just had a full spread in Elle Magazine Taiwan. The magazine searched blogs from around the world looking for photos of some of the year’s best weddings for one of their features.  They found Melissa and Austin’s Louisiana wedding on Style Me Pretty and knew it fit the bill.  They were surprised that photographers based in Paris, France had shot the wedding. I explained that Melissa had found us looking for a Paris photographer for hire when she wanted engagement photos during her visit to the city of love. Later, she had to have us when she decided to import a little of Paris to her Rayville, Louisiana wedding.