One of the most important decisions before booking a Paris photoshoot, is to choose the ideal starting time. If you’re asking the question “when is the best time to take pictures outside in Paris ?” Then keep reading below.
The best light for photography in general is early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This is what we call the golden hour. That being said, the weather in Paris is unpredictable and most of the time the sky is covered, which makes any time of the day great for photos. There is another thing to consider though: the crowds. Paris is one of the busiest cities in the world, visited by millions of people every year. This is why, when talking about Paris photography, the best starting time becomes slightly more complicated. Next, we will learn about the most popular starting times for couples photos.
For our Paris photoshoots, we distinguish three popular starting times: sunrise shoots, late morning shoots and night photo sessions. In the sections below, we’ll explore quickly all three starting times.
Is sunrise the best time to take pictures outside ? Let’s see!
The sunrise in Paris varies depending on the season. If in the summer, the sunrise is around 5:45AM, in the winter it can be as late as 9:00AM. To check the precise sunrise time for your travel dates, check this link with the sunrise times in Paris.
BENEFITS
At sunrise, you get the most flattering light and almost no people around. Paris feels like you have rented it out for yourself. Most of the tourists buses start arriving around 9:00AM.
DRAWBACKS
Unless you are a morning person, it’s not easy to wake up very early to get ready for your photo shoot.
When is the best time to take pictures outside in the morning ?
If you are not an early riser and wish to take your pictures later in the morning, this is possible. Our late morning Paris photo sessions are scheduled around 9AM-10AM. At this time of th day, the sun is already high, giving the pictures a bright and airy feel. There are already people around, meaning that not all the best locations will be available, as opposed to sunrise.
If you are not an early riser and wish to take your pictures later in the morning, this is possible. Our late morning Paris photo sessions are scheduled around 9AM-10AM. At this time of th day, the sun is already high, giving the pictures a bright and airy feel. There are already people around, meaning that not all the best locations will be available, as opposed to sunrise.
BENEFITS
You can sleep in and still have beautiful pictures.
DRAWBACKS
As tourists start exploring the city, not all of the ideal spots in Paris will be available for photos.
When is the best time to take pictures outside in the evening ? Paris is magical at night. The architecture, the city lights, everything offers a unique charm. Night photo shoots typically start at sunset, which is around 5:00PM in the winter and 10:30PM in the summer. Here are the sunset times in Paris depending on the season.
BENEFITS
Photos of a city that looks magical at night, that you will cherish forever. Truly unique images.
DRAWBACKS
Night photos require an associate that helps with lights. In conclusion they are more expensive. Then, the light set-up takes time, meaning that we take less and more posed photos in the evening.
