Paris Private Photography Workshops
In the City of Lights and Love
Paris is a photographer's heaven, where every corner holds a visual story. The Eiffel Tower stands majestically against ever-changing skies, while the Louvre's glass pyramid contrasts beautifully with its historic architecture. Montmartre's winding streets and artistic vibe offer endless inspiration, and the Seine River provides perfect reflections of illuminated bridges and landmarks. Visit the medieval campanile Tour Saint Jacques, the imposing Conciergerie Castle and revel in Notre-Dame's Gothic details, as well as the mesmerizing stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle's.
Le Marais' vibrant street scenes and historic charm captivate the lens. Golden hour bathes the city in warm, enchanting light, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary captures.
A privately led photo tour of Paris is not just about taking pictures, as every frame is a blend of history, romance, and timeless beauty. Join me there and let me guide you in an unforgettable, once in a lifetime photo adventure.
Main Shooting Locations
Louvre
The Louvre features a stunning blend of historic and modern architecture, with its grand palace façades and the iconic glass pyramid entrance, harmoniously merging classical elegance with contemporary design..
Jardins des Tuileries
The Jardins des Tuileries, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, is a historic Parisian garden featuring manicured lawns, beautiful sculptures, tranquil fountains, and picturesque walking paths.
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Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is an historic square featuring the Luxor Obelisk, elegant fountains, and stunning views of the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by exquisite architecture and vibrant city life.
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Opéra Garnier
The Opéra Garnier, the famous opera theatre of Paris, is an architectural masterpiece, renowned for its opulent interiors, grand staircase, and stunning ceiling frescoes by Marc Chagall. It epitomizes 19th-century French elegance and artistic grandeur.
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Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette is a historic Parisian department store known for its stunning glass dome, luxurious brands, elegant architecture, and panoramic rooftop views, offering an unparalleled shopping and cultural experience.
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Palais Royal
The Palais Royal in Paris features elegant arcades, manicured gardens, and the striking Colonnes de Buren installation. A historic and artistic haven, it offers a serene escape amid the city's hustle.
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France National Library
The Bibliothèque National de France has a striking modern design with four angular, glass towers symbolizing open books. Inside, it boasts vast reading rooms, elegant wood paneling, and expansive windows that flood the space with natural light, creating an inspiring atmosphere.
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Eiffel Tower and Trocadero
The Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro offer unparalleled photo opportunities. From the elevated vantage point of Trocadéro, capture the iconic tower rising majestically against the skyline, especially at sunrise or sunset. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to showcase its architectural brilliance. The Trocadéro Gardens provide lush greenery and stunning views, ideal for framing the tower in a natural and enchanting setting.
Le Mairais
Le Marais, a historic district in Paris, is a photographer's playground. Its cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and bustling markets offer endless street photography opportunities. Capture the eclectic blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy, where every corner tells a story and every alleyway hides artistic treasures.
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Pigalle
Pigalle, a vibrant neighborhood, offers endless street photography opportunities with its eclectic mix of shops, cafes, flea markets and colorful characters. Iconic landmarks like the Moulin Rouge add an extra allure, promising captivating shots of nightlife and Parisian charm.
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Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur
The picturesque hilltop district of Montmartre exudes artistic charm with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafés, and vibrant street art. At its summit stands Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a majestic white-domed church offering breathtaking panoramic views. It's a cultural hub and a romantic haven, capturing hearts with its beauty
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Les Invalides​
Les Invalides, a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture in Paris, is renowned for its golden dome, housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. Its grandeur, symmetry, and ornate details showcase the elegance and power of classical design
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Jardins de Luxembourg and Pantheon
Jardins de Luxembourg, a serene oasis in Paris, boasts immaculate lawns, lush greenery, and ornate fountains. Palais de Luxembourg, overlooking the gardens, showcases elegant Renaissance architecture, adorned with sculpted facades and regal gardens. Nearby, the Panthéon's neoclassical design, with its grand dome and imposing columns, exudes timeless grandeur and cultural significance.
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Bibliotheques Mazarine
Bibliothèque Mazarine is France's oldest public library, founded in 1643. It houses a vast collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artworks, attracting scholars and enthusiasts worldwide
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Ile de la Cité
Ile de la Cité, a small island in the Seine River, is the very historical heart of Paris. A treasure trove of architectural marvels and cultural significance, it's home to iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle, and it exudes medieval charm and spiritual allure.
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La Defense
Paris' modern business district, La Defense boasts towering skyscrapers, futuristic architecture, and expansive plazas. It's a stark contrast to the city's historic charm, offering unique photo opportunities of sleek buildings, geometric patterns, and bustling urban life.
Example of a typical
day in the field
Sunrise and early morning
We will leave from the hotel approximately 50 minutes before sunrise, and with a 10-minute trip by subway, we will get to the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro Gardens for starting the day with stunning shots of the Tower from various vantage points. This includes the Trocadéro Gardens, which offer gorgeous panoramic views.
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rest of the morning
We will then return to the hotel, where we will have breakfast or, if it is too late, we will eat at a bar on the way to Champs Elysées. We will then spend another hour in this area to capture the bustling energy of the Champs-Élysées and the majestic Arc de Triomphe. I will help you navigate through the crowds to get those perfect, unobstructed shots.
Afternoon
After a bit of rest at the hotel, we will head to the district of Le Marais. We will have a delicious lunch at one of Paris' oldest and most charming traditional bistros in this district. Afterwards, we'll stroll through its narrow streets, capturing the historic architecture, vibrant street art, and lively ambiance.
We will then head to the nearby elegant Palais Royal, exploring its picturesque gardens. The modern art installation, Colonnes de Buren, provides an interesting contrast for creative photography.
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Sunset
Later in the evening, we will head to Île de la Cité, the very heart of Paris, to photograph the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. Although the interior is currently closed, the exterior offers countless opportunities for stunning captures, especially with the Seine River as a backdrop. We will then conclude the day with some good twilight and nighttime photography along the Seine River. We will capture the illuminated bridges, the sparkling Eiffel Tower, and the reflections on the water. We will also experiment with long exposure techniques to create magical low light images.
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Why should I take an Italy Photography Workshop with Paolo De Faveri?Simple: because you will learn how to take better photographs. Consider a Paolo De Faveri's Photography Workshop as an invaluable add-on to your gear: a tool that will teach you how to take wonderful photos wherever you go. We make the art and technique of photography simple to understand by breaking it down into easy pieces of information that you will find useful to apply every time you will be in the field.
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What will I learn?Well, a whole lot, you can be sure. Paolo De Faveri's workshops are designed to help take your creativity to a new level. Through a combination of both in-the-field image sessions and class/lecture sessions on many different topics both technical and artistic, I want to get you to start thinking differently as an artist and spark your artistic vision. key features always include: - master the basics of landscape photography - learn how to compose effectively no matter of the subject, from macro to grand vistas - learn how to photograph with challenging lighting, such as at sunrise and sunset - learn about when and how to use filters - explore advanced photography techniques such as long exposures in broad daylight and image stitching for panoramic compositions Check the lessons section in this website for an exhaustive list of topics usually covered in my in-the-field and classroom sessions.
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What happens on an Italy Photography Workshop with Paolo De Faveri?All of my workshops start with a brief Introduction, a presentation of the daily schedule and the technical and artistic goals of each day, followed by questions and answer session for getting to know each other, assessing the level of knowledge of the group, each person's goals and expectations. On average we will spend from 8 to 10 hours a day in the field, every day in a different location, having big fun in chasing the best possible light and scouting the area looking for images that capture the innermost beauty of the amazing world around us. My tours are a mix of adventure and teaching, and they are not intended as only formal teaching and instructions They are more about wandering in some of the best natural or urban environments I know and getting fully immersed in photography. A "learn by doing" kind of education, as I answer questions and solve problems as they arises, completed by a debriefing in the evening when we will thoroughly review and critique together the work done in the day, and we will analyze in details basic and advanced techniques of image processing.
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What will I learn in the classroom/webinars?Check the lessons section in this website for an exhaustive list of topics usually covered in my classroom sessions and webinars.
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Does the instructor shoot over the workshop?Yes, I will be shooting during the tour/workshop, but in a limited capacity as participants needs come first of course. I often take pictures right along with the students inspiring them to learn to see an image the way I do. Much of my shooting over the workshop is meant as direct field demonstrations aimed to improve student's creative vision and technique.
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How advanced do I need to be?Anyone, no matter of how advanced he/she is, will find my workshops to be a great learning experience. The majority of my students are usually somewhere between intermediate to advanced amateur up to semi-pro and pro, but many beginners attend too. You should in anycase be at least familiar with your equipment and its operation. Always bring your camera manual for quick reference in the field.
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What kind and how much equipment should I bring?The essential photo gear you should have with you is listed here below. This gear is highly recommended for taking full advantage of the instructions you will receive in my workshops. - tripod - dslr camera - a good quality zoom lens covering a focal range length of at least 28 to 100 mm - enough storage cards for at least 16 GB - extra camera batteries - camera bag or backpack - camera user's manual
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Will weather ever force us to change the workshop's schedule?Bad weather always provide unusual and harsh conditions that contribute unique drama and mood to our images. So the answer is no, normally. We only stop shooting and/or move elsewhere if an element of danger arises.
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Is transportation included?Usually yes, it's included, unless when stated differently in the workshop description. For group tours we will use vans/small buses for our daily transfers from the hotel to the shooting locations and back. For private/small groups workshops I will drive my own car. Of course, you have to arrive on your own to the hotel/lodging.
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How should I dress?I recommend to come prepared for anything and bring an extra layer of warm clothes with you. Here is a list of clothes/accessories you should always dress/have with you when shooting outdoor: - trekking shoes if you shoot in a natural environment; a pair of very comfortable - and possibly water-proof shoes - if you shoot in a urban context - wind/rain proof jacket - pile pullovers - gloves - headdress - head lamp and batteries
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How do I register for a workshop?Simply use the pre-registration form available in the pages describing each workshop and compile every field of it, letting me know about the workshop of your choice, the number of participants, the desired dates and duration, etc. I will be back to you right away for confirming the availability and with the instruction for booking. To validate your reservation, you will be asked to pay the 35% of the workshop price as a deposit.
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What is your cancellation policy?All my workshops are subject to the following Cancellation Policy: - If you cancel within 30 days before the workshop start, you will be refunded the deposit minus 100,00 € as administrative fee. - No refund will be issued for cancellations received with 30 days or less remaining before the workshop starting date. Please note that there is no exception to this policy. For this reason it is strongly recommended to purchase refundable plane/train tickets only and endow yourself with a trip cancellation insurance. All cancellation request must be in writing.
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Details and Requirements - Key FeaturesNumber of students per workshop: minimum 1, maximum 3 students Duration: minimum 3, maximum 7 days 5 or, even better, 6 days is the recommended length, as it is indeed the ideal timeframe for putting together a very effective itinerary, there are long distances to cover as the Ardeche is quite a big region Workshops Availability From March thru November Difficulty Easy. Most of the shooting locations are directly accessible by car. A few of them require short hikings of no more than 1.5 kms one way, on easy trails with moderate elevation gain. The trail along the Ardeche River Gorges is not difficult but long and demanding in terms of stamina required. It can be added as an option, just ask What's included - full time in-the-field tutoring and instructions - at least one image processing class (min. 2 hours) per workshop - all transportation during the workshop will be provided with a rented car/van. included in the price What's not included - Travel costs for reaching the accommodation, hotels/B&B rates, meals and beverages are not included in the cost of admission unless specified. - Excursion boats - Entrance tickets to archelogical sites. museums, etc. - Lodging costs of the instructor Insurance All participants must be in possession of a valid Health and Accident Insurance with repatriation cover.
About your Photography Instructor
Ciao! My name is Paolo.
I have been a full-time professional landscape, nature, travel and architecture photographer since 2007. Since then, I have planned and led hundreds of private one-to-one and small groups photo workshops and tours in some of the best regions and cities of Italy and France.
My pictures have appeared in calendars, books, travel magazines, brochures and as wall art in offices, hotels, restaurants and corporate venues. For more info please click here
More Photo Workshops
Private, one-to-one photo workshops, available year around
