16 Tips for a Successful Paris Photoshoot | by Paris Makeup + Hair Artist, Onorina Jomir
Photography: Harriette Earnshaw Photography, Julie Paisley, L'Secret d'Audrey, L'Amour de Paris, Kiss Me In Paris, Paris Photographer Pierre Torset, The Paris Photographer | Makeup & Hair Styling: Onorina Jomir Beauty
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Embolden features with professional makeup and hairstyling for your Paris photoshoot. Our client chose big loose curls, a “my-eyes-but-bolder” makeup look and a flutter wrap skirt with bell sleeves to accentuate her waist and figure. She kept the colors solid to stand out against the Paris backdrop! Makeup + Hair Styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty; Photo courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
TRAVEL PHOTOSHOOTS IN PARIS ARE SOOO MUCH FUN! BUT IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING IF YOU’VE NEVER HAD A TRAVEL PHOTOSHOOT BEFORE.
Travel photoshoot portraits in Paris differ from most photoshoots you may have been in before for many reasons:
Photos are taken from far away to get the entire view behind you. This means your makeup and hair need to stand out.
Multiple locations will mean lots of walking; staying comfortable and hydrated will be key.
Popular photoshoot spots are busy with tourists; the time of day you choose will affect how much you can get out of your time with your photographer.
Below are our top tips to having a seamless Paris photoshoot experience!
We will cover how to choose hair, makeup, and outfits, what to bring with you during your Paris photoshoot, how to stay comfortable, and how to make the most of your photoshoot in Paris!
Paris Photoshoot Tips 1-6: Style pointers to ensure you look elegant & timeless in all your photos
To capture the full view of Paris, travel photoshoot portraits are often taken from far away. This means your makeup and hair need to stand out, and your outfit shouldn’t compete with its surroundings. HERE ARE OUR TIPS:
Paris Photoshoot Outfit Tip: Choose solid colored outfits - they will stand out against the busy palatial, urban, and garden backdrops that Paris has to offer. If you choose to wear patterns, focus on fit and flare styles. Makeup + Hair Styling by Onorina Jomir; Photographers (in order of appearance): Julie Paisley, Harriette Earnshaw Photography.
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Don’t forget to pack a silk pillowcase and some dry shampoo…and get some mileage out of your gorgeous waves and curls! Makeup + Hair Styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty; Photo courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
5. Watch out for weather: Be mindful of wind, rain and humidity. No amount of hairspray can keep a down-do from succumbing to the elements, even in a 1-hour photoshoot in the rain. If rain is in the forecast, make sure you have a Plan B updo hairstyle in mind. This is the only way you can ensure your hair looks its best in all your photos (and videos)!
7. Hire an onsite Makeup + Hair Artist to provide you with touch-ups and make sure you’re looking your best throughout your photoshoot in Paris. This service is perfect for multi-hour photoshoots for personal branding portraits, couple’s and pre-wedding photoshoots, and multi-location photoshoots.
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Hire an onsite makeup + hair stylist to touch up your look and make sure you’re looking your best throughout your photoshoot in Paris. Makeup + Hairstyling by Onorina Jomir Beauty; Photo courtesy of L’Amour de Paris.
1. Solid colored outfits are a safe bet: Solid colored outfits always photograph beautifully, but if you want to work with a pattern, make sure the colors coordinate with your natural palette and surroundings, and only stick to one pattern. Pinks, creams, nudes, blues, blacks and whites all look marvelous in Paris photoshoots.
2. Find the perfect undergarments: Feeling comfortable and LOOKING your best will make you feel more confident and relaxed in front of the camera, so make sure your clothes fit and lay the way you want them to. Love the dress but not the fit? Get it tailored! Add some shape wear or a slip. Can’t wear a bra with it? Get some stick-on cups or ask your tailor to sew in cups. You want to look and feel confident in front of the camera, so make sure you’re 100% happy with your outfit!
3. Change it up: Bring a variety of hair accessories and jewelry to add a pop of contrast to your look - hair ornaments, bows, statement earrings, neck scarfs, fun belts, and sunglasses. You can switch out of your more casual photoshoot outfit into a bold evening look and put on bold lip color for a quick change. But save it for last—it’s always easier to start with natural lips and work your way up to a bold pout!
4. Highlight your features with makeup and hair styling by a professional:
Paris travel photoshoots are shot from far away, and little details can be subdued, meaning faux lashes, defined lips, and medium-intensity eye makeup are a MUST, and hair volume & shape needs to be amplified. A professional makeup and hair artist with photoshoot experience will help you nail your ideal look, protect it from the elements and make suggestions to elevate your features and make you stand out in all your photos. For down-dos and half up-dos you want a style that will give your hair movement and volume. Barrel curls, big waves, and twisted half-up looks are always romantic and will make a statement, both from up-close and from a distance. Full updos such as curled ponytails, smooth chignons, and loose twisted buns are all fabulous hairstyles for Paris photoshoots.
Planning a family Paris Photoshoot? Read about Yesy’s photoshoot session here.
Need more help choosing makeup + hairstyles? Read more about designing Makeup Looks here and Hair Looks here.
Paris Photoshoot Hairstyle Tip: If the weather is overcast, windy, humid, or rainy, ask your Paris photoshoot hair stylist for a full updo. This is the only way to ensure your hair will look perfect from every angle and still photograph beautifully! Makeup + Hair Styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty; Photo courtesy of Le Secret d’Audrey.
Planning to take engagement photos in Paris? Read this Engagement Photoshoot Planning Guide and learn how to pick your photographer, Paris photoshoot locations, makeup, hair, and outfits for your couple’s photoshoot in the city of love!
Paris Photoshoot Tips 7-11: How to stay fashionable & comfortable during your photoshoot in Paris
Being a model requires a lot of energy! Between walking from location to location, to holding poses, you will certainly require an energy boost. Not only that, but you may get cold or sore feet depending on your footwear! Here are our TOP tips:
7. Hydrate & bring easy-to-eat-snacks: nothing crumbly (we’re looking at you, French croissants! You can save this one for after the shoot!) Think protein bars or mixed nuts, or a banana. If you can, eat well before your photoshoot and use these snacks to supplement your energy later.
8. Stay warm in cold weather: Pack a thermos of something hot to drink, a very warm long coat or a thick blanket shawl, warm slip-on boots, and pocket warmers to stay warm between locations. Always wear your coat in between shots and take some photos at a Parisian Café with a cup of hot chocolate so you can recharge and warm-up for your next photoshoot location. Long dress tip: If you’re wearing a long dress, wear full-on leggings to keep your legs warm - you’ll thank us later!
9. Protect your feet: bring a spare pair of shoes to give your feet a break. Powder your feet to prevent blisters, especially in the summer. We also love these blister bandages by Band-Aid. They take away all the pain and allow you to stay on your feet! And if you’ve gotten blisters from your Paris photoshoot, look for these Blister Bandages from Compeed in any pharmacy in Paris - you’ll forget you have blisters and be able to enjoy the rest of your trip!
10. Stay out of the sun and rain: Sun will cause your skin to get shiny and makeup to move, not to mention it’s not the most flattering light for beautiful portraits in Paris. If it's going to be very sunny, pick photoshoot areas where your face is partially or fully in the shade. Or, if you can, coordinate a pair of fun sunglasses and a beautiful hat with your photoshoot outfit!
11. Bring a makeup touch-up kit: You’ll want tissues, lip color, blotting papers, concealer, and cotton swabs - if you’re working with our beauty team, we’ll provide you a kit to take with you and use throughout your photoshoot!
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Incorporate coordinating accessories to keep you comfortable in cold weather, such as hats and overcoats Makeup + hairstyling by Onorina Jomir Beauty + Team; Photography in order of appearance: Jolie Dee Photography, Claire Morris Photography (2-3), The Paris Photographer.
Paris Photoshoot Tips 12-16: How to make the most of your photoshoot session
There are lots of variables that can effect the quality and length of your photoshoot session in Paris. Here are some tips to make sure you make the most of the booked time with your photographer, and some ideas on how to make the day go more smoothly!
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Leave early for your Paris photoshoot. You don’t want traffic to cut into your perfect lighting and precious photoshoot time! Makeup + Hairstyling by Onorina Jomir Beauty; Photo courtesy of Kiss Me In Paris.
12. Don’t be late. It’s important to be on time, if not early, for your photoshoot. If you’re late, you will either lose out on great lighting when taking photos early in the morning, or simply cut down on that precious ‘on-camera’ time! To combat this, book your accommodation nearby your starting point for your photoshoot in Paris and leave earlier than you think you need to! Plan to take an Uber or Taxi, and be sure to account for traffic (rush hour in Paris is between 7:00-10:00 AM). Don’t speak French? Ask your photographer for an address and have it printed out so you can show your Taxi or Uber driver exactly where you need to be.
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Book an early morning photoshoot if you’re planning to go to the Louvre. Makeup + hair styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty Team; Photo courtesy of Paris Photographer Pierre Torset.
13. If you’re newer to photoshoots, book a longer photoshoot. If this is your first time, we recommend booking a minimum of 2 hours. Typically, clients are very tense and nervous during the first half hour or more of their photoshoot, but by the end of it they are laughing with their partner and/or photographer, completely at ease. Therefore, photos taken during the last portion of the photoshoot are typically the best and most natural, and they only get better from there. Two hours is usually enough time for 1 style change and 2 locations, depending on your photographer. Don’t worry, photography packages will list how many style changes and locations are doable in that amount of time, so you’ll be sure to find exactly what you want for your Paris photoshoot.
Paris Photoshoot Tip: If you want pictures all over Paris, then a minimum photoshoot of 4 hours is the right amount of time for you! But if the idea of 4 hours of photoshoot has your head spinning, you could plan a split morning-afternoon/evening photoshoot, with a two separate makeup and hair looks and different outfits. This is great for Pre-Wedding Photoshoots and eloping couples who want to do their first look + take bridal portraits in touristy locations, like our client, Alexa, and follow with more photos around the city later in the day.
14. If the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, or Arc de Triomphe is on your list, go in the early morning: Early mornings are best to beat the crowds, then you can end your photoshoot at a café, have brunch, and finish with a much-needed nap at your hotel!
Paris Photoshoot Tip: Save your bold lipstick for last, and plan your biggest look change at a cafe terrace; it's always easier to go from neutral to bold. Makeup + Hair Styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty; Photo courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
15. Look changes: Plan your biggest look change at a café terrace so that you can use their restroom and freshen up. Don’t want to carry around all your outfits and change in a public restroom? Rent a van so that you can change into and have everything you need at your fingertips. Plus, your van will drive you around the city and you won’t have to worry about all your belongings as you pose away.
16. Ask your makeup artist + hair stylist how to best prepare, and clarify appointment times: Your artist will likely advise you to start with a clean face and clean, dry hair. Pack your usual toiletries and Paris photoshoot bag before you leave home. For your toiletries, pack your usual moisturizer, makeup remover, face cleanser, sunscreen (always), shampoo, a good hair mask, tweezers, lip balm & exfoliant, hairbrush and a facial mist to keep your skin hydrated during your flight. Make sure your Paris photoshoot bag has your accessories, second outfits (if applicable), and a pair of comfy shoes for in-between, and everything you need BEFORE your artist arrives at your location, so that all you have left to do once makeup & hair are finished is get dressed and walk out the door.
Paris Photoshoot Tip: If you’re not used to photoshoots, book 1-2 hours. First 30 minutes is about the time it takes for most clients to relax, resulting in 30 minutes of natural, candid shots! Makeup + Hair Styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty + Team; Photo courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
Congratulations!
You are FULLY PREPARED and ready to pack your suitcase + look and feel your best for your paris travel photoshoot!
With these professional tips, you’ll be fashionable, comfortable, and time efficient for your photoshoot in Paris, making it an extra memorable experience! If you need a makeup and hair stylist in Paris, my team and I are happy to help you look glamorous and camera-ready! With 10+ years of experience, we know exactly what it takes to help you achieve your dream look for your dream Paris photoshoot!
Looking for more beauty inspiration and ideas for your photoshoot in Paris? Check our PINTEREST profile, read our Bridal Hair Design Guide, Bridal Makeup Design Guide and follow our Instagram for lots of tips and inspiration!