FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions by PhilArty Photography Clients
Dear travelers!
Here are some answers to the questions you might have.
If you don't find the information you are looking for, feel free to contact me.
I would be happy to help and to complete this list of questions :)
How much does a photoshoot in Paris cost?
Packages start at 300€ for a short session and go up to 900€ for the luxury civil wedding formula, the most popular being a one-hour family session at 350€. Full details are broken down by session type:
Elopement Photoshoot Pricing
Family Photo Session Pricing
Lifestyle Photoshoot Pricing
Civil Wedding Photoshoot Pricing
If you need more time or something more personalised, just send me the details and we'll build a package tailored to your plans.
Elopement Photoshoot Pricing
Family Photo Session Pricing
Lifestyle Photoshoot Pricing
Civil Wedding Photoshoot Pricing
If you need more time or something more personalised, just send me the details and we'll build a package tailored to your plans.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your photo session after having paid the deposit, please notify me asap by email at info@philarty.com.
1)More than 1 month before the photoshoot:
If you cancel more than 1 month prior to your photoshoot, the deposit will be refunded, less applicable bank fees (around 3%).
2) Between 1 month and 1 week before the photoshoot:
If you cancel between 1 month and 1 week prior to your photoshoot, a credit of the same value will be issued. This credit is valid for a period of 2 years from the original photoshoot date.
3) Less than 1 week before the photoshoot:
If you cancel less than 1 week prior to your photoshoot, no refund or credit will be issued.
4) Force majeure / emergency situations:
In the event of an emergency (such as a natural disaster, illness, a direct family member emergency, or last-minute travel restrictions), a credit equal to the deposit amount will be issued. This credit is valid for a period of 2 years from the original photoshoot date.
1)More than 1 month before the photoshoot:
If you cancel more than 1 month prior to your photoshoot, the deposit will be refunded, less applicable bank fees (around 3%).
2) Between 1 month and 1 week before the photoshoot:
If you cancel between 1 month and 1 week prior to your photoshoot, a credit of the same value will be issued. This credit is valid for a period of 2 years from the original photoshoot date.
3) Less than 1 week before the photoshoot:
If you cancel less than 1 week prior to your photoshoot, no refund or credit will be issued.
4) Force majeure / emergency situations:
In the event of an emergency (such as a natural disaster, illness, a direct family member emergency, or last-minute travel restrictions), a credit equal to the deposit amount will be issued. This credit is valid for a period of 2 years from the original photoshoot date.
What are the best places for a photoshoot in Paris?
The Eiffel Tower?! :) But honestly, you can take beautiful pictures almost anywhere in Paris. A few of my favorites: Trocadéro, Avenue de Camoens and the Bir-Hakeim bridge for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre with its arches and the columns of the Palais Royal, the Tuileries gardens, the quiet streets and bridges along the Seine and Montmartre for a village feel above the city. I've shot dozens of sessions here and put together a guide of my favorite locations, with the best angles and a few photo tips for each. Check My Best Paris Locations.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
What time of day is best for a photoshoot in Paris?
Early morning, right around sunrise — about 7am in July, closer to 9am in December. The light is soft and golden, and the iconic spots are almost empty. That's the real difference between your photos and the ones everyone else takes at noon in front of a hundred tourists. Some locations open later: Palais Royal at 8am, the Rodin Museum at 10am, so we adapt the plan to what you want to shoot.
How do we prepare for a photoshoot? What do we need to know?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions! Whether it's a Couple, Family or Portrait session in Paris, the goal is simple: you feel confident and adore the way you look. A few things that make a real difference: choose outfits you can move comfortably in, coordinate your colours rather than matching them exactly, bring comfortable shoes for walking between locations and have your hair and make-up ready before we start so we don't lose the best morning light. I've put all my detailed recommendations into a two-part guide: Part 1 and Part 2.
I look forward to welcoming the fabulous yourselves to your Paris photoshoot!
I look forward to welcoming the fabulous yourselves to your Paris photoshoot!
How do we move between the photoshoot locations?
Walking, whenever possible. I build every session around locations that sit close to each other, so we spend your time shooting rather than travelling. For a one-hour photoshoot we stay in a single area with several beautiful spots. The Eiffel Tower area, for instance, may include Trocadéro square and Avenue de Camoëns or the banks of the Seine and Bir-Hakeim bridge, all within a ten-minute walk of each other. Bring a pair of comfortable shoes if you plan to wear heels or pointy toes: you can slip into them just for the photos.
Taxi or Uber for longer distances. Going from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre or from Montmartre down to the Seine, is a ride — not a walk. On two- and three-hour sessions we'll usually take one and we book it on the spot so there's no waiting around. Expect roughly 10-15€ per ride. Taxi fares are not included in your photoshoot price.
I don't recommend public transport during a session. Stairs, crowds and waiting time eat into the hour you paid for and arriving slightly out of breath is never the best start for a portrait. Save the metro for exploring Paris on your own, it's genuinely lovely for that.
Taxi or Uber for longer distances. Going from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre or from Montmartre down to the Seine, is a ride — not a walk. On two- and three-hour sessions we'll usually take one and we book it on the spot so there's no waiting around. Expect roughly 10-15€ per ride. Taxi fares are not included in your photoshoot price.
I don't recommend public transport during a session. Stairs, crowds and waiting time eat into the hour you paid for and arriving slightly out of breath is never the best start for a portrait. Save the metro for exploring Paris on your own, it's genuinely lovely for that.
Where can I change outfits during the session?
Outfit changes are simple: we stop at a café near our shooting spot and you change in the restroom, over a quick drink. It takes a few minutes and it's part of the adventure. Two tips: bring outfits that are quick to slip on and off, and let me know in advance if you're planning more than one look, so I can build the route around a convenient stop.
Where can I leave my belongings during the photoshoot?
You can leave your bags and personal items next to me during the session. We'll keep an eye on them together while we shoot, so you're free to move around and enjoy the moment. I can also handle a small purse with valuables for you.
What happens in the event of rain?
It's rarely raining all day long here in Paris so we have several options:
Option 1 : we can make a "singing in the rain" photoshoot in Paris with umbrellas (you can ask your hotel to provide some or buy some funny ones with Paris attractions drawings on it or some colorful according to your outfit).
Option 2 : we postpone and start a bit later if our agendas allow it. If like pouring rain starts while we are shooting we'll find a café to wait until it's over and adapt the photo session time accordingly or
Option 3 : Palais Royal has a lot of covered galleries and spaces so that could be a good location for a rainy day photoshoot.
Option 4 : We cancel and I reimburse the deposit (less applicable bank charges around 3%).
Option 1 : we can make a "singing in the rain" photoshoot in Paris with umbrellas (you can ask your hotel to provide some or buy some funny ones with Paris attractions drawings on it or some colorful according to your outfit).
Option 2 : we postpone and start a bit later if our agendas allow it. If like pouring rain starts while we are shooting we'll find a café to wait until it's over and adapt the photo session time accordingly or
Option 3 : Palais Royal has a lot of covered galleries and spaces so that could be a good location for a rainy day photoshoot.
Option 4 : We cancel and I reimburse the deposit (less applicable bank charges around 3%).
Why the minimal package is for a 1 hour photo session?
A professional photo session takes time. As a rule, one hour is an absolute minimum to get great results. It might take time to built a connection between us and for you to feel comfortable and to get used to the camera. Sometimes many of really beautiful shots can be made closer to the end of the photoshoot when you are more relaxed.
How long until I can get the photos?
For the elopement, proposal, family, lifestyle photoshoots in Paris, I will send you a few selected pictures within 2 days following our photoshoot. This way you will have some images to share with the people you love or on Social while you are still in Paris. You will receive the full set within 2 weeks.
I can help you to select the photos to print or keep in a digital format.
I can help you to select the photos to print or keep in a digital format.
Will I receive my photos in high resolution?
Yes. Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery protected by a password, ready a couple of weeks after the session. Every retouched image can be downloaded as a full-resolution file - large enough for a proper print, a canvas or an album, not just a screen - and you also get a lighter web version of each one, already sized for Instagram or Facebook, so you don't have to compress anything yourself. You can share the gallery with family and friends and download as often as you like. Only the retouched images are delivered in high resolution; the low-resolution watermarked previews you receive first are there for the selection stage.
Do I own my photos? What can I do with them?
Your retouched images are yours for personal use: prints, albums, framing, sharing with family and friends, posting on your own social media. As the author of the images I keep the copyright, which means commercial use (advertising, resale, brand campaigns) isn't included, but just ask, it's usually easy to arrange. And if you post them, a credit or a tag @philarty_photo is always appreciated.
What languages do you speak?
English, French and Russian. Most of my clients are American, so the whole session runs in English: no awkward translation moments, no misunderstanding when I ask you to move two steps to the left :))
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