A Post-Wedding Photoshoot in Paris | Layla & Richard
A dream shoot in the most romantic city in the world
WOW. What an absolutely amazing time we had with Layla and Richard during their post-wedding photoshoot in Paris. After seeing the photographs from their beautiful New York destination wedding, Layla had always dreamed of a Paris shoot of her own — so a plan was hatched, flights were booked, and we flew out to spend a couple of unforgettable days photographing them at their favourite Parisian landmarks.
From golden-hour portraits at the Eiffel Tower, to romantic frames on the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, to an editorial fashion shoot in a green couture gown around the Arc de Triomphe with a bunch of red balloons — this trip had it all. If you’re a couple dreaming of your own Paris post-wedding shoot, this post should give you a pretty good idea of what’s possible.
As their destination wedding photographer, being trusted with a shoot like this is always a huge privilege.
Why a post-wedding Paris shoot is such a brilliant idea
More and more couples are choosing to book a post-wedding photoshoot in Paris (or Rome, Venice, New York, Santorini) after their big day, and it’s easy to see why:
- No wedding-day time pressure — you can focus entirely on the photos
- Completely different backdrops to your actual wedding day album
- The chance to wear your dress again somewhere extraordinary
- A proper trip together as a newly married couple
- Genuinely editorial, fashion-inspired images you simply can’t get on the day itself
- A lasting reason to travel somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit
Layla and Richard’s trip was a perfect example of the format at its best: relaxed, romantic, and full of moments they’ll treasure forever.
Evening one: sunset at the Eiffel Tower and Pont de Bir-Hakeim
We started our first evening by meeting Layla and Richard at the Eiffel Tower — because how else do you begin a Paris shoot? — before heading straight to the Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
For those who don’t know it, Pont de Bir-Hakeim is one of the most photographed spots in Paris. The iron lattice work, the soaring arches, and the classic view back towards the Eiffel Tower make it a dream location for couples — and it’s particularly popular with Asian couples doing pre-wedding shoots across Europe. On any given evening, the bridge is alive with photographers, brides-to-be, and grooms-to-be all hunting the same angle.
In between carefully dodging other photographers and couples, we found ourselves little pockets of space to work with Layla and Richard, catching them against the glowing skyline as the light turned to gold. The romance and glamour of Paris at its absolute best — exactly the kind of images Layla had been dreaming of.
The Trocadero: capturing the iconic Eiffel Tower view
From Pont de Bir-Hakeim we moved to the Trocadero, which gives you that iconic, postcard-perfect view looking straight back across to the Eiffel Tower.
It’s one of the busiest tourist spots in the city, but with a little patience we caught a few precious seconds without anyone else in frame — exactly the windows you need for a clean, cinematic portrait in a location this famous. Those are the moments that make a Paris shoot feel truly worth it.
A note for fellow photographers: our Paris shoot kit
For the photographers reading this blog — and we know plenty of you do — a quick note on the gear that made the evening work. We shot most of the Paris session with our Phottix Odin II triggers, Mitros+ speedlights and a pop-up softbox.
That combination was genuinely perfect for a run-and-gun shoot like this. It meant we could work quickly, react to the light and the crowds, and seize fleeting moments without ever being slowed down by cumbersome lighting setups. In a location as busy and unpredictable as Paris at sunset, that agility is everything — if you take ten minutes to set up, the moment (and the space in the frame) is gone.
Evening shots at the Louvre and dinner at Le Café Richelieu
We rounded off the first evening with a set of evening portraits at the Louvre. The glass pyramid lit up against the old palace walls is one of the most magical Paris backdrops you can shoot, and Layla and Richard were brilliant in front of the camera — easy, warm, natural, and clearly loving every second of being in the city together.
After wrapping the shoot we had the real pleasure of joining them for dinner at Le Café Richelieu, overlooking the Louvre itself. A proper Parisian evening, a wonderful meal, and a lovely way to close the first day of the trip.
Day two: a solo couture shoot with Layla in Paris
Day two was all about Layla — a solo fashion-style shoot in a beautiful green couture gown, wandering the streets of Paris.
Walking shoots are one of our favourite ways to photograph a bride (or in this case, a newly married bride) because every block offers something different. We photographed Layla:
- On tree-lined avenues overlooking the Seine, with dappled light filtering through the plane trees
- In the classic Haussmann-era streets that make Paris look like a film set wherever you point the camera
- At the Arc de Triomphe with a bunch of red balloons — a look Layla had dreamed of since she was a little girl, and one of our favourite sets of images from the entire trip
- Finishing with a gorgeous sequence overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral
The balloons at the Arc de Triomphe deserve a special mention. There’s something so simple and yet so magical about a woman in a flowing couture gown, holding a cluster of bright red balloons, framed against the world’s most famous triumphal arch. Fairytale imagery in the truest sense, and a childhood dream ticked off for Layla.
One last photo — and home
Just before we headed to the airport, Layla was kind enough to take a quick photo of the two of us together. A lovely, warm, very us way to finish the trip — a reminder that a shoot like this isn’t just about the images, it’s about the people you make them with.
All in all, an absolutely fantastic trip. Great memories for Layla and Richard, and great memories for us too.
Behind the scenes film
At the bottom of this post is a short behind-the-scenes film of our time with Layla and Richard in Paris — worth a watch if you’d like a glimpse of what these shoots actually look like in practice, both in front of and behind the camera.
Featured details
- Shoot type: Post-wedding / destination photoshoot
- Location: Paris, France
- Original wedding: New York destination wedding
- Key landmarks: Eiffel Tower, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Trocadero, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame
- Dinner: Le Café Richelieu, overlooking the Louvre
- Day two gown: Green couture dress
- Signature shot: Red balloons at the Arc de Triomphe
- Kit: Phottix Odin II, Mitros+, pop-up softbox
- Photography: Barrie Downie
Thinking about your own post-wedding or destination shoot?
If you love the idea of a post-wedding photoshoot in Paris — or anywhere else in the world — I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a dream destination you’ve always wanted to visit together, a honeymoon shoot, an elopement, or a fashion-inspired bridal session in a city that takes your breath away, I can travel with you and help create a set of images that are completely, unmistakably yours.
Popular destination photoshoot locations I can travel to include:
- Paris — the classic for romance and glamour
- Rome, Florence & Venice — timeless Italian backdrops
- Santorini & Mykonos — whitewashed architecture and blue seas
- New York — cinematic urban energy
- London — iconic landmarks on your doorstep
- The Amalfi Coast & Lake Como — effortless European elegance
Get in touch to discuss your ideas, check availability and request a price list. I’d be delighted to help bring your dream shoot to life.
Photography: Barrie Downie | Destination wedding and post-wedding photography in Paris, Europe and worldwide.
Huge thanks to Layla and Richard for the most wonderful Paris adventure.
Do you want the very best post or pre-wedding photography in Paris, London or elsewhere in Europe? If so, then get in touch with us with your proposed dates and we can check our availability and send you our PDF brochure and pricing for post and pre-wedding photography.
