Casual Paris Portraits with Olivia and Michael

One of the best things about photographing fellow wedding and portrait photographers is that they often say to me, “Just take us wherever you want to shoot.”  That kind of creative freedom and risk-taking usually results in some of the best photos I’ve ever taken, because it allows me to think outside of the box and try new things.  Olivia and Michael gave me that exact freedom for their Paris portrait session.  They wanted something fun, relaxed, and not too touristy, so I took them to one of my favorite neighborhoods on Ile-de-la-Cite in the middle of the Seine River.  Although the area around Notre Dame can be jam-packed with tourists, the tiny side streets and gardens are so quaint and quiet and beautiful.  It’s a bit like a Disney version of residential Paris – slightly prettier (and cleaner) than real life!  They also love beautiful architecture, so we stopped by the Louvre to grab some shots with the stunning archways and lampposts.  Here are some of my favorites from their session: