Paris has the well-deserved reputation of being the “city of love”. Nearly everywhere we walked, we saw couples holding hands, touching affectionately, or kissing. We don’t know what it is, exactly, but there’s definitely something about this city that takes hold of you and sweeps you away in its romantic embrace.
You would never imagine a long climb to the top of the Arc De Triomphe as the place for a fashion shoot, but it proved to be just perfect in setting the desired mood of isolation and privacy while the staircase itself seemed to wind into infinity. Of course, holding and kissing Jenni has never been a problem, making this session an ideal reward for climbing all 284 steps to the top of the monument. 🙂
Click image for larger version. Photo courtesy Jerry Ghionis, XSiGHT Studio
Ulysses - Heather, I think a lot of folks will agree with you. This photo is so unusual and captivating that you can’t help but be drawn to it. We’re really glad to hear that you’re enjoying them! 🙂February 20, 2007 – 9:40 AM
Heather & Damian Dube' - This is our fav so far!! I Luv the movement of this image, you can’t help but feel the movement of it all, as if you’re falling & spinning right along with the two of you as you ‘fall & spin’ in the moment of your smooch 🙂 How amazing all of these shots are! I’m just blown away by them! Keep em’ coming! Best to you guys – We miss you two! Heath & Damian 😉February 20, 2007 – 1:05 AM
Ulysses - Stephanie & Brian, it is so good to hear from you! Oh my goodness, we were thrilled by your news of the baby. We have GOT to talk soon. Seriously. 🙂 🙂
Cory: We had a really good time with this one because due to our location compared with that of the photographer, we had NO IDEA what he was seeing. So when he showed us this picture, we exclaimed out loud, “Ohhhhhhhhhhh!!! Niiiiiiiiiice!!” And then we felt exactly like our couples feel when they see their own fab pictures. It was so cool being on the other side of the camera.
Marie: You’re cracking us up over here, lady. I had a feeling you’d enjoy all the French references here. 🙂February 15, 2007 – 4:15 PM
Stephanie McCormack - What a captivating picture… I absolutely love it! You guys look amazing and the shot is incredible.February 15, 2007 – 1:21 PM
Ulysses - Thanks, guys, for all the kind comments and kudos! We’re so completely jazzed to share these with you guys. 🙂
I wanted to answer the awesome questions from “Laetitia”:
First of all, a bride has spent all this time making herself look as glorious as possible. Our view is that you need to also invest time and effort with your photographer to now get pictures that will do justice to every other decision you’ve made. That way you have something unforgettable, dynamic, and that simply blows you away.
1. Can the average Joe look like this? Well, call me “Average Joe”. A great photographer is going to help you feel comfortable and will use the light to your best advantage so that you look like a movie star. We like dramatic light and shadows for this cinematic effect. I call it “magazine quality” photography, like something you’d see in a VANITY FAIR Magazine. That’s what we really want for every bride.
2. Am I going to need a whole film set and crew? No. Not the way we shoot. We use very little equipment and are quite nimble so that we can move around at will with minimal fuss. This makes the fashion and portrait session fun, energetic, and quick-moving. Other studios are more involved and meet the results that are their own hallmark. Our hallmark is in developing an intimate and enthusiastic relationship with our couples, and we think our photography shows that off. When we get to produce the sort of work that we like to produce, our brides and grooms are never disappointed.
3. How much time do I need to budget? Simple answer: We’ll take as much as you can give us! To produce some of what we think will be your favorite photos from a fashion portrait session, I would not budget less one hour — independent of family and party formals. Some have given as much as two or three hours. After all, you will never have THIS time together again, so we might as well do something a-MAZ-ing, right? This is time alone with the couple — no other cameras, no videographer — so that you get something unique and special, as well as relaxing. Some couples have given us two hours. Some couples give us segments of time scattered throughout the day.
Interestingly, more and more couples are booking us for a completely separate session the next day after the wedding — we call this the “Morning After Session”. You can put on your gown and tux again, or some couples have a different change of clothing. And we can walk around the venue or around the town and just have a BLAST getting some really cool stuff without the pressure of the wedding day.
However you choose to find the time, it’s so worth it both to you and to the quality of the pictures that will result. Do not underestimate the power of great photography!
Excellent, excellent questions. We’d love for you guys to ask MORE! We’re happy to answer. 🙂February 15, 2007 – 12:46 PM
Laetitia - Wow you too look great. On my wedding day those are the kind of photographs I want. After all It is not every day I buy a dress worth $…. It would be cool to look back at shoots like this. I can tast the passion and romance. So I have these questions:
1 Can an average Joe look like this?
2 Am I going to need a whole film set and crew?
3 How much time do I need to budget? At the moment I’m think around 1 to 1 1/2 hours is this realistic?February 15, 2007 – 8:29 AM
Andrea - Flawless…February 15, 2007 – 6:18 AM
Jessica Johnston - awwwww….how gorgeous!February 15, 2007 – 12:36 AM
Cory - It is so amazing to express your love through photography. This one is really intimate!!!!February 14, 2007 – 8:36 PM
Marie & Sal - Hmmm…so that’s what goes on in the winding staircases of L’Arc De Triomphe! We see the vision, ” L’amour…La femme et L’homme and…Escargot???? Think a bit…look a little closer…(chuckle)!
This one is unique – we love it, really love it!February 14, 2007 – 12:26 PM
Teddi - Happy Valentine’s Day you two lovebirds :).February 14, 2007 – 11:48 AM