Paris, the “City of Lights,” is a photographer’s dream. Every corner offers a picturesque scene, from iconic landmarks to charming hidden alleys. To truly capture its essence and elevate your photography skills, a dedicated photo tour led by a professional can be invaluable.
Here’s a guide to the best photography tours in Paris, catering to all levels from amateur enthusiasts to seasoned pros.
파리 최고의 사진 투어: 에펠의 화려함부터 숨겨진 보석까지
These tours go beyond just sightseeing, focusing on composition, lighting, and unique perspectives, ensuring you leave with stunning, portfolio-worthy images.
What to Expect from a Paris Photo Tour:
- Professional Photographer Guide: Crucial. They’re not just tour guides; they’re expert photographers who know the best angles, lighting, and camera settings for each location.
- Optimal Timing: Tours are often scheduled around golden hour (sunrise/sunset) or blue hour (just after sunset), which offers the most magical light. Night tours focus on city lights and long exposures.
- Focus on Composition & Technique: Guides will help you with camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO), composition rules, and creative techniques.
- Personalized Attention: Especially in small group or private tours, you’ll receive tailored feedback and instruction.
- Logistics: Many tours handle transportation between spots (via public transport or private vehicle), allowing you to focus on shooting.
- Safety: Guides ensure you shoot from safe and authorized locations.
Essential Gear for a Photo Tour:
- Camera: DSLR or mirrorless camera (any brand is fine).
- Lenses: A versatile zoom (e.g., 24-70mm or 24-105mm) is good. A wide-angle (16-35mm) is excellent for grand scenes. A telephoto (70-200mm or 100-400mm) is great for compressing distances or isolating details.
- Tripod: Essential for sunrise, sunset, and night photography. Look for a lightweight, travel-friendly one.
- Extra Batteries: Cold weather and long exposures drain batteries quickly.
- Memory Cards: Plenty of storage.
- Filters (Optional but Recommended): Polarizer (for reflections, deepening skies), ND filters (for long exposures of water/motion blur).
- Remote Shutter Release: To avoid camera shake.
- Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing.
- Layers of Clothing: Especially for early mornings or late evenings, it can get chilly.
1. Classic Locations: Eiffel Tower Focused Tours
The Eiffel Tower is Paris’s undisputed icon, and photo tours dedicated to it ensure you capture its majesty from every angle.
- Highlights: Trocadéro (for panoramic views), Champ de Mars (for scale from below), Bir-Hakeim Bridge (for unique perspectives, including reflections and architectural lines), Avenue de Camoëns, Rue de l’Université (for the iconic street views).
- Golden Hour Tip: Trocadéro at sunrise is unmatched. You’ll have significantly fewer crowds and beautiful soft light. For sunset, the Eiffel Tower will be front-lit, but the area will be extremely busy.
- Night Photography Tip: The Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour, from dusk until 1 AM (or 11 PM after summer). Use a tripod for long exposures to capture its sparkle and light trails from passing cars.
- Example Tours:
- “Paris: Your Own Private Photoshoot at the Eiffel Tower” / “Eiffel Tower Photoshoot”: These focus on capturing you with the Eiffel Tower, with a professional photographer guiding poses and locations. Great for couples, solo travelers, or families wanting stunning portraits.
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Booking: Viator – Eiffel Tower Photoshoot
- “Private Guided Professional Photoshoot by the Eiffel Tower”: Focuses on photography instruction and guiding you to the best vantage points for shots of the tower.
- “Paris: Your Own Private Photoshoot at the Eiffel Tower” / “Eiffel Tower Photoshoot”: These focus on capturing you with the Eiffel Tower, with a professional photographer guiding poses and locations. Great for couples, solo travelers, or families wanting stunning portraits.
2. Iconic Landmarks: Louvre, Montmartre & Grandeur
These tours cover broader areas, hitting multiple famous spots with a photographic eye.
- Highlights:
- Louvre Area: The Glass Pyramids (especially at blue hour or night), Palais Royal (Colonnes de Buren, gardens), Tuileries Garden.
- Montmartre: Sacré-Cœur Basilica (sunrise/sunset views), Place du Tertre (artists), La Maison Rose (charming pink cafe), hidden cobblestone streets, windmills.
- Pont Alexandre III: Ornate bridge with golden statues, connecting Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
- Notre-Dame (exterior): Iconic cathedral, best viewed from the Seine quays or bridges.
- Daytime Photography: Focus on architectural details, street scenes, and capturing the bustling energy.
- Night Photography: The illuminated Louvre Pyramid is spectacular. Montmartre offers charming streetlights and city views.
- Example Tours:
- “Paris Photo Shoot Eiffel Tower / Chateau de Versailles” (or similar combos): While the name might mention specific spots, many of these tours allow you to choose locations or focus on a themed area.
- Booking: Viator – Paris Photography Tours
- “Paris Hidden Gems Photoshoot Tour”: Often covers a mix of iconic and lesser-known locations, allowing for a more diverse portfolio.
- “Paris Photo Shoot Eiffel Tower / Chateau de Versailles” (or similar combos): While the name might mention specific spots, many of these tours allow you to choose locations or focus on a themed area.
3. Hidden Gems & Unique Perspectives
Go beyond the postcards and discover Paris’s lesser-known, yet incredibly photogenic, corners.
- Highlights:
- Covered Passages: (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas) Beautiful glass roofs, vintage shops, and unique light.
- Rue Crémieux: Famous for its colorful houses.
- Canal Saint-Martin: Quaint bridges, locks, and tree-lined banks, great for a more “local” Parisian feel.
- Less common angles of landmarks: Discovering unique compositions that aren’t the standard tourist shots.
- Golden Hour Tip: The light in the covered passages can be magical, creating interesting shadows and reflections.
- Night Photography Tip: Capturing the intimacy of side streets, illuminated cafes, and subtle city lights.
- Example Tours:
- “Paris Secret Spots Photoshoot Tour”: Similar to the hidden gems tour above, focusing on finding unique perspectives.
- “Marais Private Photo Tour” (Airbnb Experiences): Focuses on a specific charming neighborhood like Le Marais, known for its hidden courtyards and unique light.
- Booking: Airbnb – Marais Private Photo Tour
4. Instagram-Focused Photo Tours
These tours prioritize visually striking and popular “Instagrammable” locations, often with a focus on quick, effective shots for social media.
- What to Expect: A guide who knows the most popular photo spots for social media, often with tips on posing and capturing trendy aesthetics.
- Highlights: Often a curated list of spots like Rue Crémieux, Pont Alexandre III, specific cafes (e.g., Le Consulat in Montmartre, Pink Mamma restaurant), and iconic Eiffel Tower views.
- Pros: Efficiently hits many popular photo ops, good for those who want specific types of shots for social media.
- Cons: Can be less focused on true photography technique, might feel rushed.
- Example Tours: Many “Paris Photoshoot Tour” or “Instagram Photo Tour” services offer this. Look for those highlighting a specific number of “Insta-worthy” locations.
5. Specialized Photography Workshops (for Pros & Amateurs)
For those serious about improving their skills, consider a dedicated workshop.
- What to Expect: More in-depth instruction on camera settings, composition, lighting, and post-processing. Often involves specific themes like street photography, architecture, or night photography.
- Focus: Developing your creative eye and technical skills.
- Example Workshops:
- Paris Photo Trip: Paris Street Photography Workshop: Offers half-day and full-day private workshops focused on street photography techniques.
- Booking: Paris Photo Trip Website
- Peter Turnley’s Paris Street Photography Workshop: For more advanced photographers, often led by renowned photojournalists.
- Booking: Peter Turnley Website
- Magdalena Martin – Street Photography Workshop: Another option for street photography workshops.
- Booking: Magdalena Martin Website
- Paris Photo Trip: Paris Street Photography Workshop: Offers half-day and full-day private workshops focused on street photography techniques.
Booking Links for General Photo Tours:
- Viator: Extensive List of Paris Photography Tours
- GetYourGuide: Variety of Paris Photography Tours
- Airbnb Experiences: Often offers unique private photo sessions with local photographers. Airbnb Experiences – Paris Photography
Whether you’re looking to capture your own stunning portraits against Parisian backdrops or to master the art of capturing the city’s soul, a guided photography tour is an excellent investment in your skills and your memories.