Early morning call

After talking things over, we agreed that Maggie's first portrait session would be the most anticipated: sunrise at the Trocadero. It is here that you'll find the most incredible view of the Eiffel Tower. Why sunrise? First of all, it's very beautiful light. But the biggest reason is that at almost any other time of the day, the Trocadero is just COVERED with tourists. If you want that million dollar shot, it comes at a price. And that price is getting out of bed while it's still dark.

I originally wanted the portrait session at the Trocadero to be at the end of our stay, mostly because it could end up being the most iconic set of images created in our time here...and to achieve that, we needed to be warmed up to each other. To make it very clear, Maggie is not a professional model. She is stunning and basically should...and could be a model. But she is just like 99% of my portrait clients...an everyday, although extraordinary, woman. When you're working with a person who models for a living, a photoshoot in Paris is just another day at work. Yes, models have to adapt greatly to every shoot they are on...but they are used to doing so. People who don't model, even if they are very striking, often freeze up...or worse, start uncomfortably cheesing...the moment a camera is pointed at them.

A lot of anxiety had built inside of me, way before I even purchased my ticket to Paris. I love the city, but I don't know it well. I had no idea how crowded places would be, nor did I know if the weather would be agreeable. And as I mentioned in a previous blog, in general I still experience butterflies in my stomach before a shoot. It doesn't matter if I'm identifying as a Denver Portrait Photographer or a Paris Portrait Photographer that day...I just get anxious, period. So starting with the Eiffel Tower shot at the Trocadero seemed like a big risk.

And yet somehow, there we were...walking down five flights of a spiral staircase, on our way to the Trocadero at dawn.

Showing everyone who is boss

To be honest, I can't even remember how the other two crazies I'm staying with convinced me to start with the portrait session I was fearing the most. It's actually a blur. What I will tell you, though is that it was a relief to be riding in our Uber that morning. Believe me...I was stressed. I was nervous. I was certain I would fail. And yet I also knew that no matter what, it would be behind me within a couple of hours. I also knew that it could be redone, if need be. But it felt good to be ripping off the band-aid right there and then.

Our Uber driver that morning spoke no English and dropped us off at the wrong place. When I say the wrong place, I mean that while we did arrive at the Trocadero, we were dropped near the bottom entrance. It's kind of hard to explain, but basically we had longer to walk...and the sun was already starting to rise quickly. What is more, the first thing Martin and Maggie noticed was the thing I was most anxious about: other photographers mid-shoot.

I'm confident in my Photoshop abilities. Very comfortable. But most of what I do in Photoshop involves color correction and beauty retouching. I have worked very hard at perfecting my techniques to bring out the best in a person, but I'm not great at removing ten other photographers and their subjects from my own shot and making it look believable. I had been warned by other photographers that while most selfie-taking tourists would still be asleep at sunrise, there would almost certainly be another photographer or two at the Trocadero at sunrise.

There weren't just one or two...and thankfully, there weren't ten or more. But there were a few. And as we climbed the stairs of the Trocadero to scope things out, it seemed there were even more headed our way. The anxiety was very, very real. Maggie was walking behind me in what was, quite possibly, my favorite outfit of the entire planned portrait wardrobe (probably tied with the Bar Suit, let's be honest) and I knew that I had to deliver for her.

As we reached the very top of the stairs, I looked around. There were photo shoots happening on the stairs to the right of the main platform. There were other photo shoots to the left. There were even people posing for photographers closer to the middle of the gigantic platform. And yet, there was not a single person standing smack at the edge of the platform, near the middle where you essentially look like you're standing underneath the Eiffel Tower.

I'm not a confrontational person, nor am I necessarily a leader type. But the truth is, I had a vision in my head to manifest...and the sun would only be in the perfect position for so long. Furthermore, the longer I waited the more photographers I would be competing against. So without thinking, I directed Maggie to the edge of the platform close to the middle and I backed up into the ideal position. I have no idea how long we were there for...I'm virtually certain it looked like I was hogging the prime spot...but in that moment, I did not care. I was not throwing away my chance to produce magic. I knew that I was creating an image that day that would be priceless to Maggie...and her children...grandchildren...and beyond, someday. I broke through my own anxiety and stress to give the art waiting to be born a chance at life.

The portrait session went on and on...but it was like an out of body experience, so I remember very little. I'm in a Facebook group with about 50,000 other portrait photographers (literally) and many of them talk about their portrait sessions in Paris. I'd gotten so comfortable living vicariously through their lives that I forgot it was actually my turn to create something in this magical city. Suddenly there I was...directing Maggie in one of the most stunning outfits I could imagine...underneath the Eiffel Tower at dawn.

What an experience.

Sleep

Before we knew it, we were home. And frankly, all we wanted to do was sleep. But we were also starving. Maggie changed and then we began our hunt for breakfast food, which seemed to be lacking in Paris. Just as we were giving up, we found a restaurant that served omelettes and I was sold. In my continuing quest to find the perfect croissant, I ordered one as a starter...and so far, the croissant that morning is the winner!!!

Although I decided weeks ago to wait until my return home before editing any images, I made sure to backup everything we had just created together onto both an external hard drive and a cloud service. Once that was done, I got some of the best sleep of my life.

Too much sleep

By the time I woke up, it was getting uncomfortably close to sunset. I don't mean the sun was going down in five minutes. But portrait sessions at the end of the day can be anxiety provoking for natural light photographers. The positive side is that the light is absolutely incredible. There is something called the Golden Hour and it happens very close to sunset, where everything is suddenly bathing in this magical, golden light. But there's a very small window to catch it...and if you miss it...and the sun goes down...you're screwed.

Maggie started getting prepared for portrait session two, which was ballerina-inspired. I still hadn't decided on a specific location...I just knew that I needed a little cafe. Since we have so many of them here in Paris, I wasn't too concerned. But the problem was, we were slowly starting to lose light. And by slowly, I do mean quickly.

We departed the apartment thinking we had a good amount of time left to work with. But as we stepped outside, I think all of our hearts sank: the sunlight that remained was being blocked by the tall buildings around us.

We frantically started walking around the neighborhood, seeing if we could find a spot that was still getting good light, but we found nothing. I had also visualized Maggie seated at a table eating a croissant and sipping tea or coffee, but we couldn't even find the perfect cafe. And on top of everything, many people were staring at Maggie like she was a celebrity (she looked more stunning than I can really explain...just wait) and literally rushing out of stores to gawk (no exaggeration), which seemed to make her a bit unsettled. So basically I just wanted to cry and almost did.

Right as I was on the brink of giving up, actually saying the words, "we are just going to have to do this again tomorrow"...we found a cafe that was nearly empty. I nervously said to Martin that I was scared we would be thrown out for taking photographs and he promptly told me that he would order some tea and to keep going. We had no croissant...the tea hadn't arrived...the light was not particularly golden...Maggie looked uneasy...and I was absolutely falling to pieces inside...

...and yet somehow, we still created something extraordinary. Somehow the moment I pressed the shutter, everything calmed down. It was not exactly what I had visualized...and the moment felt far from perfect while it was happening...but looking back?

It was perfect.

Sock Lay Blur

The long day of photoshooting had taken a toll on my nerves, and it was only day one. But I knew that I had to let the day go quickly because the next day of portraits was fast approaching. We decided to do a combination of sightseeing, location scouting and dining...and it was already close to 10pm.

I can't lie...France does a nice church.

We got on the train and headed towards Sacré-Cœur, which incidentally I am unable to pronounce. We started walking around and pretty instantly I knew that we would be returning to the area for a portrait session. After seeing the epic view of Paris from Sacré-Cœur, we attempted to find dinner. One of the only restaurants that was open had almost no vegetarian options for myself and Martin, but we agreed to be seated if they would bring us a plate of vegetables and cheese.

I know, I know.

BUT, they did bring us an insanely good apple pie for the finale. There's always a silver lining. Oh and side note: if you ever go the restaurant we went to, don't use the bathroom. One, it wasn't very clean. And two, I got locked in. The only trouble is, I cannot remember the name of the restaurant. But if you get locked in a bathroom somewhere near Sock Lay Blur, you probably figured out the restaurant on your own.

Heading home and onto the next

It was after midnight when we boarded the train home, but we were far from alone. Paris seems to really come alive later in the day. People seem to truly enjoy each other's company and stay at cafes and restaurants for hours on end. Even in our own neighborhood (which is about 30 minutes outside the center of the city), we see parents out with very young children, enjoying their time together until late at night. It's very different from the U.S....but also very, very lovely.

We went to bed knowing that our alarm clocks would be blaring far too early the next morning. But more art was calling us to create it...and so four hours of sleep seemed like a small price to pay. For whatever we create while here will be sure to outlive all of us. And that, to me, is extraordinary.

I am not throwing away my shot | Denver Portrait Photographer