My Photo Shoot in Paris

Have you ever done something that wasn’t on your dream’s list but should have been? That was me the last weekend of October. For many years, I have been following two Instagrammers: Everyday Parisian and Katie Donnelly Photography. They ran a contest in the beginning of 2023 to win a photo shoot with Katie Donnelly Photography in Paris. I entered and thought I wouldn’t win. Well, I was wrong, and I won. I decided to upgrade my photo shoot to their gold package. If I was going to Paris and having a photo shoot, I wanted to have multiple locations. It was the best decision to upgrade the photo shoot. Winning this contest was my sign that I needed to plan a trip to Paris. I love Paris in the fall, so I knew that was when I wanted my photos from. My last trip to Paris was four years ago with Nancy, and I could feel her with me during this trip.

If you are planning a trip to Paris, I can not recommend Everyday Parisian enough for all things Paris. Not only does she have all the tips for Paris, but she is also an amazing photographer. I have been buying her calendar since she started selling them in her Print Shop.

The overnight flight from Philadelphia to Paris was smooth and uneventful, which is always the goal! Prior to your photo shoot, Katie Donnelly Photography sends you emails with their “little black book” of resources. This gives you their tips and vendors to make the most of your trip to Paris and photoshoot. I decided to use their recommendation for a car service. I had them pіck me up at the airport and take me back for my flight home. It was flawless and after а lоng flight, it was great to have someone there and I didn’t have to find a taxi. I also didn’t pack light for this trip, so it was great to have someone help me. While I was in Paris it was the finals for the Rugby World Cup, so everything was extra busy!

Maison Fleurus Paris

During my trip to Paris, I stayed in the 16th Arrondissement. For those who aren’t familiar with Paris, the Eiffel Tower is located nearby in the 7th Arrondissement. Since Madame Eiffel was close to my hotel, I took a walk to see her. On my way back to the hotel, I visited Maison Fleurus Paris, and there was a bouquet that I was drawn to, so I bought it to use during my photoshoot.

Then on my way back to the hotel, I stopped at Bistrot Le Poincaré. It was one of the recommendations from my hotel and after I walked in, I realized that I was there in 2015 during my trip. A little wine and French fries were perfect. The host saw my bouquet and let me know that his girlfriend worked there.

Joleen Emory Makeup Artist

Since I was in Paris and having my photos taken, I decided I wanted to have my makeup done professionally. I was happy to find Joleen and that she had availability, since I waited a little long to find someone. Joleen is a Franco-American living her dream in Paris. I enjoyed meeting her and she did an amazing job with my makeup. She is an artist and would HIGHLY recommend Joleen, if you need a makeup artist in Paris.

What do you wear for a photoshoot in Paris? For the months leading up to the photo shoot, I asked myself that question. I knew I wanted something iconic and special. I looked at previous shoots that Katie and her team had done and read the blogs that she had sent me with all the tips. It all started with a pair of red Vionic shoes. You can see them pictured in the photos below. For those who know me personally, know that I rarely wear heels. For the entire photoshoot, I wore these heels and my feet didn’t hurt!

Since I had the shoes, I had to find the rest of the outfit. Over the summer, I was shopping at J.Crew with my friend Stephanie and I found a skirt that I knew would be perfect for photos.

I thought I was going to do the animal print shirt on the right, which was Nancy’s. As I was finishing packing, I looked in the closet that still had some of Nancy’s shirts and found the striped shirt on the left. It looks like an iconic French striped shirt.

Since I didn’t have the capability to do a complete outfit change, I decided to switch up the jacket. The vegan leather jacket was from my friend Erin’s boutique a few years ago. The photos were taken on a Friday, so I had to find a way of adding plaid for Plaid Friday. My way of adding plaid was to switch my jacket. I love the plaid jacket that I got from Cabi and find myself wearing it often.

Photoshoot with Katie Donnelly

This was a dream and I still float when I think about the photo shoot. With the gold package, I chose two locations where we would take photos. I chose île Saint-Louis and Saint Germain des Paris. We began at Café St. Regis and took it from there. Katie didn’t know that since my first trip to Paris with Nancy we always visited Café St. Regis.

We spent about two hours taking photos, laughing and talking. We had a member of Katie’s staff with us, Mary. She is also a photographer and took some photos. I felt like a princess walking around the city and all I had to do was was pose for pictures. It was so nice to walk around the city without having to carry a bag. We called my bag the Mary Poppins bag because it fit so many items and I keep pulling things out of it to use.

While we were walking, we discussed where I worked. I mentioned Cutco and she knew about it from John Ruhlin’s book Giftology. The world really is small and I always love connecting over Cutco stories.

Here are a few of my favorite photos.

Katie Donnelly Photography Studio

After my photo shoot, I visited their studio later that day for an appointment to see the photos. I loved this! As I was viewing the photos, I was emotionally attached and it was amazing to see them so quickly. Also, the way you view your photos is genius. You see them from a projector that shows you the size of photo you are going to order.

I can’t wait till I see the art work hanging on my walls. I will say, I probably wouldn’t have ordered them if the gallery was delivered at a later date. Not many of us print our photos anymore. For me most of my photo “live” on my computer vs. living on my walls. I am looking forward to living this day and smiling every time I see the artwork.

*Katie sent me these photos below, I didn’t take any photos of the studio.

Thank you Katie and Team for an amazing experience and because of your talent, I am bringing home the best souvenirs.

I can’t thank Rebecca and Katie enough for running this contest and choosing me. If you have the opportunity to work with Katie Donnelly Photography, I say do it! I can’t recommend them enough.