We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing. I’ve felt it too. The kids are gone, and not only does life seem to suddenly grind to a halt along with the metabolism, but suddenly it feels like I’m in a tossing sea with no direction. Pondering this predicament, I found myself casting a wide net with regards to genre’s of photography, and how it could possibly help me in all that I wanted to accomplish.
After some months of weighing possibilities, the idea of destination portraiture settled out of all the dust. But which destination? Well, there are several I’d like to try, but my first foray into this adventure was Paris, France. Women I feel, in general, tend to get behind the camera, rather than in front of the camera. Why? Because we are making sure our families get documented. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be kids. Our own Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, we tend to be the ones clicking the shutter. Which means we aren’t in front of the lens. And we by and large don’t care, because we have a million reasons why we want to be on the other side. We think we need to lose weight, or get botox, or have a face lift, or get a tan, or that we aren’t “photogenic”, any number of reasons why we should NOT be in front of a lens.
But the truth is, getting in front of the camera is not only for ourselves. It’s for our loved ones. Sue Bryce eloquently says, “When your family looks for photos of you, what will they find?” Our images are a record, remaining long after we return to earth as ash, and a record worth keeping up with. So, what woman wouldn’t want to go to Paris, and have her portrait taken? With a little trepidation, I took one couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, and one friend. We stayed one week last September, and I have to say, it was one of the best times I’ve ever had. The images on this blog today, are of my friend Mary.
We started our Photoshoot in Paris France, on the Trocadero at 7AM, undaunted by the rain and gray skies, because what says Paris more than the Eiffel Tower? Armed with dresses from a variety of places, including www.edressit.com, we chose a beautiful Periwinkle color with a fitted bodice and a swirling skirt for this stop.
After a few pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower, we moved to the stairs leading up to the Trocadero.
We then moved our Paris Photo Session to the Palais Royal, with it’s marble columns at the front, and the iconic black and white striped columns of differing heights on the side. Mary chose a flirty black dress with sleeves that were fitted at the top and and flared at the elbow from www.lulus.com.
It was after the Palais Royal, we chose to take a break and have a traditional French Breakfast, before moving on to our next stop, Pont Alexandre III. The sun was just beginning to peak out from behind the clouds, so we used Jerry Ghionis’ Ice Light, which gave a wonderful color of light to Mary’s Portrait. Her blue sequined dress was the perfect compliment to this backdrop, with the Eiffel Tower in the distant background.
Our last stop was in a private Parisian flat, overlooking a wonderful neighborhood in Paris. Here we used a red lace dress with short underskirt.
And of course the last image, taken leaning out of a window, so iconic an image for a city as amazing as Paris.
It was an amazing day, and I can’t wait to go again. For more information, call 434.422.0005, or email me at arnel@arnelgoncephotography.com! Paris is waiting to see you!
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